The other crop that built China: how millet became foundation for Chinese civilisation
Por Kevin McSpadden — South China Morning Post – News feed
Advertisement Trending in China People & Culture Trending in China The other crop that built China: how millet became foundation for Chinese civilisation
While domestication of rice was crucial in southern China, it was millet that ruled the North, laying groundwork for birth of the country
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Kevin McSpadden Published: 6:00pm, 27 Sep 2026
Rice may be the most universal ingredient in the world, serving as a cornerstone of the diet for billions in Asia.
However, for much of Chinese history, rice faced a serious competitor, and entire cultures developed around a different cereal grain, one that has since diminished in significance: millet.
Millet is a cereal grain that behaves and tastes similarly to rice but has a rounder form. It is often used in porridge, stir-fries, or even fritters. In certain regions of China, millet is favoured as a food for pregnant women, with millet porridge being particularly gentle on the stomach. Despite this, it cannot rival the cultural importance of rice.
Yet, the domestication of millet, along with other cereals globally, stands as one of the most pivotal events in human history. Its domestication fundamentally altered natural landscapes and enabled humans to control the plants they consume, as opposed to surviving at the mercy of wild crops.
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