Peking Duck Day

Peking Duck Day is January 18

This is the day to celebrate this dish that originated in Beijing China during the Ming Dynasty in the 1500s and has become a traditional Chinese meal. 

Peking Duck gets its name after the city Peking, which was the capital of China until 1979 when the city Peking became Beijing. It is said that Peking Duck was created during the Yuan and Ming Dynasties, originally created for the imperial court. Later, during the fall of the Qing Dynasty in 1911, Peking Duck made it to the streets of Beijing from chefs who left the forbidden city.

Recipe

Peking Duck

5 Fun Facts

• The TV character Donald Duck was based on a Peking Duck.
• The Pekin Duck has white feathers and an orange bill and feet.
• Before cooking the duck, air is pumped through the skin to separate it from the fat.
• The skin is coated with sugar before roasting, which is what gives it that crispy skin.
• In China Peking Duck used to be a dish that only nobles could afford.

On this day, roast your duck any way you like it. Try different flavor twists and ideas with the Chinese favorite.