National Peking Duck Day

National Peking Duck Day is an American holiday dedicated to this wonderful holiday dish. It came to us from China and has become familiar to many people. It can often be found on the menus of restaurants, as well as on festive family tables. It is annually on January 18.

History

It is not known when and who proposed to celebrate National Peking Duck Day. The recipe for the dish dates back to the period of Kublai Khan in the 13th century AD. The ruler was delighted with this dish, which was often prepared for him by his servants.

Despite its apparent simplicity, preparing the dish requires meeting certain requirements. The main feature that distinguishes Peking duck is its crispy crust.

For cooking, you must use a white Peking duck. The recommended age is 65 days. After plucking and additional processing, the meat is soaked in boiling water. Next, the duck is dried on skewers for 24 hours, and it is covered with a sugar glaze. After this period, the duck is baked in the oven (also in limbo), and the carcass is periodically basted with its own fat. Then it is cut and served.

Interesting facts

• The classic serving of the dish includes the following composition: first, the top skin with a crust is placed on the plate, meat is laid out on it, and sauce and vegetables are placed on top (these can be changed to taste). You can make soup from the legs and wings.
• The optimal weight of a bird for cooking is 3 kg, with most of the weight being fat. In the process of cooking, the weight of the meat usually drops to 1 kg.
• In the classic recipe, the dish is cooked over a fruit tree fire or in an oven over barely smoldering coals.

How to celebrate

Cook Peking duck this holiday with family or friends around the table. You can also visit a Chinese restaurant to try this dish in its original form, prepared by the best chefs.

Share information about the holiday on social networks. Let more people know about National Peking Duck Day and enjoy the taste of this dish.

When is National Peking Duck Day in 2025?

National Peking Duck Day is observed on January 18 each year.

Observations