Year Of The Dragon

By Chef Joe

I have finally been enjoying my favorite fruits of the winter season, Blood Oranges, Tangerines and Clementines. Usually I get started around Christmas but, Mother Nature made me wait until just the past week. Now they are good enough to talk about and just in time for the Chinese New Year. It’s the “Spring festival” (Chinese New Year) and I plan to enjoy a great choice of citrus every day until the full moon on Feb. 6, the end of new year. It’s a TRADITION. Blood Oranges, Tangerines and Clementines represent happiness and abundance. These are displayed in the home and given as gifts. Giving tangerines whose stems and leaves are intact represents lasting friendship.

Chinese New Year is the most important traditional festival in China. It begins on the first day of the first lunar month and ends on the 15th day of the first lunar month (Full Moon).

2012 marks the 4710th Chinese New Year, and this time it is the year of dragon according to the Chinese zodiac calendar. The dragon is regarded as an auspicious symbol which stands for power, good luck, success, and happiness.

I wish you a Happy Year of the Dragon and good luck, success and happiness. Try a Blood Orange.