Q texture explained

In Hokkien-speaking areas, Q is a culinary term for the ideal texture of many foods, such as noodles, boba,^{[1] [2] [3] [4] [5]} fish balls and fishcakes.^[6] Sometimes translated as "chewy", the texture has been described as "The Asian version of al-dente... soft but not mushy."^[7] Another translation is "springy and bouncy". It also appears in a doubled more intense form, "QQ".

The term originates from the Hokkien word (Chinese: ),^{[8] [9]} which has a sound similar to the letter "Q" in English, and has since been adopted by other forms of Chinese, such as Mandarin.^[10] The use of the letter "Q" to represent (Chinese: ) may have originated in Taiwan, but it is also widely used in Chinese speaking communities outside of Taiwan.^[11]

"Q" in Sinitic languages has several other meanings, such as a shorthand for the English word "cute".

Notes and References

1. News: Qin . Amy . 2018-10-14 . In Italy, 'Al Dente' Is Prized. In Taiwan, It's All About Food That's 'Q.' . The New York Times . 2018-10-14.
2. News: Munchies Staff . 2015-03-18 . The Mysterious 'Q Texture' You Didn't Even Know Your Food Was Missing . Huffington Post . 2018-10-18.
3. News: Spiegel . Alison . 2015-03-18 . This Taiwanese Food Term Will Change the Way You Look at Gummy Candy . Vice . 2018-10-18.
4. News: Russell . Laura . 2017-05-01 . The Curious Case of Q . Roads & Kingdoms . 2018-10-18.
5. Web site: Mair. Victor. Is Q a Chinese Character? . Language Log . 2010-04-15. 2018-10-18.
6. Book: Erway, Kathy. The Food of Taiwan. Houghton Miller Harcourt. 2015. 9780544303010. New York. 203–204.
7. News: Lim . Stephanie . 2016-05-13 . What is... QQ? . Michelin Guide . 2018-10-18.
8. https://www.kangxizidian.com/kangxi/1417.gif Kangxi Dictionary: page 1417, character 34
9. Web site: - 臺語萌典 . 臺語萌典 . 2023-07-12 . 形容食物柔軟而有彈性、韌性。.
10. Web site: Quartly. Jules. 2020-01-21. The True Story of Q. 2021-12-02. Taiwan Business TOPICS. en-US.
11. Web site: Language Log » Is Q a Chinese Character? . 2023-12-31.