Millet

Before rice became the staple crop of China, people grew millet. Millet is very hardy and drought-resistant. It was cultivated as early as 2700 B.C. by some accounts. The ancient Chinese God of the Harvest, Hou-Chi, was depicted as an elderly man with stalks of millet growing out of his head. Millet is a very healthy grain because it is alkaline and easy to digest. The Hunzas of the Himalayas, who are known for their health and longevity, eat millet as their staple grain. Early Chinese Dynasties controlled the colder Northern regions. Millet could survive the harsh temperatures and frequent water shortages. It was not until China acquired territory in the South that the Chinese diet became centered around rice. This millet is being grown in the gardens on the campus of Northwest University. The gardens also have persimmon trees, corn, eggplants, bak choy, turnips, and tomatoes among other things.