Peking Duck: History, How to Cook It, and Where to Buy
Peking duck has long been revered as the best way to consume duck. With origins in ancient Imperial China, Peking duck is now making its way to American soil, and for a good reason—it is absolutely delicious!
But how did this amazing dish come to be? And where can you buy your very own Peking duck? All of your questions about Peking duck will be answered, keep reading!
What is Peking Duck?
Peking duck is a decadent preparation of duck meat characterized by a crispy seasoned skin with a deliciously sweet taste. Ducks used to make Peking duck must be bred and slaughtered following a special plan, ensuring the meat is at its best prior to cooking.
Peking duck is carved with the skin being set aside from the meat. To enjoy, a small bit of both the meat and the skin is set in a pancake, along with spring onion, cucumber, and a sweet bean sauce. The pancake is then rolled to keep all the toppings inside and then consumed.
Where Does Peking Duck Come From?
Duck has been a commonly consumed meat in China since the Imperial Era (221-206 BCE). While its exact origins are unknown, Peking duck, as we know it, was first prepared for the emperor of China during the Yuan Dynasty, which began in 1271.
By 1330, the historic recipe for Peking duck that is still used today appeared in a cookbook written by Hu Sihui titled “Complete Recipes for Dishes and Beverages” (translated). The early renditions of this dish included instructions for the seasoning and preparation of the duck, but didn’t include all the extras (the spring onions, cucumber, etc.) These extras were officially added later, during the Ming Dynasty (1368-1644). By 1644, Peking duck was a common dish on imperial menus and served all around the Peking region.
Restaurants began specializing in this dish during the 1400s, and within the Peking region, the first restaurant was started near Qianmen, the ancient entrance to the city. This may explain the name Peking duck, as Peking is the pinyin name of the modern-day city of Beijing.
Although the dish was initially only popular in Beijing, as its popularity spread, especially among foreign world leaders, other regions in China began to serve the dish. Today, Peking duck is often synonymous with all of China, though its city-inspired name still remains.
How to Cook Peking Duck?
Cooking Peking duck is an art in and of its own. Though you likely won’t be able to complete all of the required preparations at home, here is a guide if you would like to attempt to do so.
Raising Peking Duck
The creation of Peking Duck starts by raising a duck under specific requirements, which are as follows.
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The ducks must be raised cage-free from hatching for 45 days
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The ducks must be force-fed 4 times per day following the 45-day free-range period. They must be force-fed for 15-20 days.
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After the force-fed period, around an age of 65 days, the ducks can be slaughtered.
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At slaughter, the ducks should weigh between 11-15 pounds (5-7kg)
As you can see, these requirements can be a bit difficult if you aren’t a duck farmer, but rest assured, you can also just start with a basic whole duck purchased from your butcher.
Cooking Peking Duck
Below are the steps for cooking Peking duck at home.
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Rinse the whole duck.
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Pump air between the skin and the meat to separate it.
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Blanche the duck and hang it to dry.
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Glaze the duck with honey before rinsing the interior one more time.
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Add a second layer of glaze composed of soy sauce, five-spice powder, and malt sugar to both the interior and exterior.
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Allow the duck to hang for 24 hours. It can hang in the fridge or outdoors.
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Roast the duck until the skin turns shiny brown
And just like that, you have your very own Peking duck!
What to Serve With Peking Duck
As we previously mentioned, much of the draw for Peking duck is what it is served with. At the bare minimum, you need the following:
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Cucumber, thinly julienned
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Steamed Chinese pancakes
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Sweet bean sauce
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Spring onion, julienned
Remember that you will need to serve the duck skin and meat separately. It is additionally recommended to set the bones aside for deep frying later to be served as a separate course.
Of course, while this is close to a full meal, it is not quite complete. Below are additional items that are often served with Peking duck:
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White or jasmine rice
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A soup or starter, a light broth with veggies or tofu
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Fruit, such as sliced pears, for dessert
With these few additions, you will be serving a meal your guests won’t soon forget.
Where to Buy Peking Duck?
As you know by now, Peking duck is quite the process to raise, marinate, and serve. It is extremely difficult for the average individual to prepare a Peking duck in their home—unless you have commercial-grade equipment for hanging and roasting the duck.
That being said, you don’t have to give up your dreams of home-served Peking duck just yet, as Kolikof Caviar and Gourmet offers a pre-cooked Peking duck that you just need to heat and carve! You’ll still have to prepare all the sides on your own, but this shouldn’t be too difficult. Then, you can enjoy your very own Peking duck in no time at all.
Kolikof’s also carries a variety of other items, everything from seafood to caviar and even condiments, ensuring your next elegant dinner is a success. Plus, they can ship everything to your door in 72 hours or less, ensuring you can eat the premium food you want to enjoy right away. So, if you haven’t tried Kolikof Caviar and Gourmet yet, it is definitely time to take the plunge and try some of their products today!