2000多年前，张骞出使西域，连接起了中国与外部世界沟通的“丝绸之路”。这条路增进了中国与其他国家的经济文化交流，还将各类外国物产引进中国。我们一起来看看咱们餐桌上的哪些食材是通过这条“丝绸之路”来到中国的。

Pomegranate

石榴

The pomegranate originated in the region of modern-day Iran， and has been cultivated since ancient times throughout the Mediterranean region and northern India. The fruit was introduced to China during the Tang Dynasty， and was considered an emblem of fertility and numerous progeny.

石榴产自如今伊朗所在的地区，自古就在地中海地区和印度北部地区种植，在唐代引入中国。石榴被看作是多子多孙的象征。

Grape

葡萄

Originating in the Black Sea and the Mediterranean， the grape entered China from Dayuan， during the reign of Emperor Wu of Han Dynasty. Dayuan was an ancient country in Ferghana Valley in central Asia， which was famous for grapes， alfalfa， and Ferghana horses.

葡萄最早产于黑海和地中海，在汉武帝时期从大宛传入中国。大宛是中亚费尔干纳盆地的一个古国，以盛产葡萄、苜蓿以及汗血宝马闻名。

Garlic

大蒜

Garlic is native to the regions of southern Europe and central Asia. During the Western Han Dynasty， Zhang Qian introduced the species in the genus Allium to China. During ancient times in China， foreign tribes were referred to as “Hu troops”， so garlic was originally referred to as “Hu garlic”.

大蒜原产于南欧和中亚地区，属葱属植物，西汉时期由张骞带入中国。在古代中国，外国族群都被称为“胡人”，所以，大蒜最开始也被称为“胡蒜”。

Coriander

香菜

Coriander， known as cilantro or Chinese parsley， is native to the regions spanning from southern Europe to central Asia. It is recorded that Zhang Qian brought the seeds of coriander into China.

香菜，也叫芫荽或中式西芹，原产于从南欧到中亚的大片地区。据记载，张骞将香菜种子带入了中国。

Cucumber

黄瓜

Cucumber is originally from South Asia， on the southern foot of the Qomolangma Mountain. However， in Zhang Qians time， the cucumber was known as the “Hu melon”.

黄瓜原产于南亚——珠穆朗玛峰南面的山脚地带。在张骞所在的时代，黄瓜被称为“胡瓜”。

Eggplant

茄子

Eggplant， originally domesticated in India， was brought into China during the Han Dynasty， and became a common vegetable in the Jin Dynasty.

茄子原产于印度，在汉代引入中国，到晋代已成为一种常见的蔬菜。

Alfalfa

苜蓿

The alfalfa， also called lucerne， is an important forage crop in many countries around the world. According to the Records of the Grand Historian by historian Sima Qian of the Han Dynasty， alfalfa was introduced into China from Dayuan.

苜蓿，也叫紫花苜蓿，是世界上很多國家重要的饲料作物。据汉代史学家司马迁所著《史记》记载，苜蓿是从大宛引入中国的。

Hyacinth bean

扁豆

The hyacinth bean was originally grown in India， and brought into China between the Han and Jin Dynasties.

扁豆原产于印度，在汉至晋之间被引入中国。

Word Study

cultivate /'k?lt?ve?t/ v. 种植；栽培

The people cultivate mainly rice and beans.

emblem /'embl?m/ n. 象征；标志

The eagle was an emblem of strength and courage.

reign /re?n/ n. 统治时期

domesticate /d?'mest?ke?t/ v. 栽培，培育（植物或农作物）

forage /'f?r?d?/ n.（牛和马的）饲料