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China's space menu revealed
HONG KONG, China (CNN) -- The much-anticipated launch of China's first astronaut is also set to take Chinese cuisine to new heights. Although the identity of the astronauts has been kept a closely guarded secret, what they will eat has not. In preparation for the historic flight, chefs have been hard at work creating space age versions of Chinese gastronomic favorites to travel to the stars, reports in state media say. Among the dishes prepared for the zero gravity feasts are shredded pork with garlic sauce and stir-fried chicken, Web site China.com recently quoted one scientist as saying. In all, some 20 dishes suited to the Chinese palette have been developed for the space program, to be served along with specially prepared vacuum packed rice. Food is, after all, an important part of Chinese culture and mission controllers say it is important to ensure that China's space pioneers do not go hungry. Green tea"It will be tastier than Western food," China.com quoted the unnamed scientist as saying. "After the meal green tea will be available to lift the astronauts spirits," the scientist said, perhaps overlooking the possibility that being the first Chinese astronaut might not be a big enough ego boost. Reports did not mention whether the meals would be accompanied by chopsticks to eat them with. According to the NASA Web site food for America's space program has progressed considerably since the early days of the space race. The first Mercury space program was supplied with rather unappetizing "freeze-dried powders and semi-liquids in aluminum tubes," the site says. Since then such delights as space ice cream and butterscotch pudding have become part of the galactic fare. And now, the site says, astronauts aboard the International Space Station (ISS) can enjoy meals that wouldn't sound out of place in an airliner's business class cabin. Items on the current ISS menu include broiled lobster tails, Fettucine Alfredo and even four kinds of pizza.
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