This week in Hangarau Kai we have been learning about and making dumplings.

Most experts believe that dumplings were invented by a Chinese medical Practitioner named Zhang Zhongjing who lived in the Eastern Han Dynasty, which was the second imperial dynasty of China that lasted from 206 BC and 220 AD.

Legend has it that the winters were extremely cold and people were experiencing ill effects from the cold. Zhang Zhongjing took mutton, medicinal herbs and chilies wrapped in dough and steamed them. These little pillow-like treats not only helped the people to overcome the cold, but the herbs inside the dumplings helped with blood circulation and frostbite.

There are many variations of how and why dumplings came about, including their creation to help prolong the shelf life of meat and to use leftover grains and herbs, however whether they were created for practicality or as a medicine, one thing we do know is that they are a bundle of pure deliciousness.