And they are not missing Chinese food too from MRE to classic food. Except the water is recycle water. Not sure if it for drink
The evolution of Chinese astronaut food - from fast food to classic Chinese cuisines | 中國宇航員美食的演變
Unboxing supplies delivered from Earth, Chinese astronauts in space are enjoying delicious Chinese cuisines at their new home, China's Tianhe space station core module, which is about 400 kilometers to the Earth. China successfully launched three astronauts into space aboard the Shenzhou-12 spaceship at 09:22 Thursday (Beijing Time) from the Jiuquan Satellite Launch Center in northwest China. At present, Chinese astronauts Nie Haisheng, Liu Boming and Tang Hongbo are carrying out the Shenzhou-12 manned spaceflight mission. They are also enjoying a colorful in-space life with various delicacies.
On May 29, cargo spacecraft Tianzhou-2 carrying 6.8 tons of supplies was launched to dock with the space station core module Tianhe. So the astronauts can choose from more than 120 kinds of space food that not only taste good but provide balanced nutrition with a long shelf-life. The dining area is equipped with food heating device, refrigerator, water dispenser and folding table. In the exercise area, the treadmill and spin bike provide them with exercise to maintain physical health. In 2003, China's first manned spacecraft Shenzhou-5 flew into space. It was from that year onwards that China's exploration of astronaut food began to enter the public view.
Over several space journeys from the year 2003 to 2021, the astronauts' recipe has improved in both its quality and variety, from the original fast food such as dim sum to today's customized choices with traditional Chinese cuisines. Yang Liwei is China's first astronaut who went into the space in 2003. It is reported that there were 30 kinds of food could be chosen during Yang's flight. At that time, Yang only brought some fast food that neither need heating nor adding water. During more than 20 hours in the space, Yang mainly took desserts and coffee. Coated with a protective edible film, the food was convenient and left no crumbs. It is reported that the snack contained about 20 kinds of raw materials, and the production process was relatively complicated. Two years later, hot meals were available for Shenzhou-6 crew during their stay in space. The food choices for them also increased to 40 to 50 kinds.
For staple food, there were four varieties: white rice, eight-treasure rice pudding, curry rice and glutinous rice. Astronauts can choose different food every day, and there was freeze-dried chocolate ice cream, with three kinds of sauce: spicy, sour and sweet. It is reported that Shenzhou-6 crew have so many choices, from cans, rehydrated vegetables, dried fruit, pastries, staple food, to beverages, even the kung pao chicken, beef balls, and braised pork in soy sauce were on board. On Shenzhou-7 which blasted off in 2012, there were about 70 types of items. The first breakfast for crew members was assorted fried rice, dried braised Pleurotus eryngoes, pickled cabbage and pork, pickled mustard, Char Siu Sauce and milk tea.
The kitchen of Shenzhou-9 stored at least 80 kinds of food; astronauts eat different types of meals every day. These mainly included staple food, side dishes, condiments, beverages and other categories. Shenzhou-9 astronauts can eat fried rice three meals a day. In addition to the staple food, dishes like black pepper beef, pickled cabbage and shredded pork were also on astronauts' menu. Besides, there were other quite delicate side dishes. There may be a temporary degrading of taste for astronauts in a weightless environment.
In order to avoid tastes change, Shenzhou-9 also offered a variety of condiments such as pork sauce and Sichuan pepper sauce. The menu for Shenzhou-10 has expanded to more than 80 types of food, with moon cake and ice cream on the list. As her trip coincided with Dragon Boat festival, female astronaut Wang Yaping ate bean paste rice dumplings to celebrate the festival. Shenzhou-11, on the other hand, carried more than 100 types of food and beverages, including spiced beef and shredded pork in garlic sauce, a popular dish in almost every Sichuan cuisine restaurant, and desserts. Recipes were designed and arranged in accordance with nutritional requirements in different phases of the mission. Less than 20 year's exploration, the Chinese space food has become more diverse and delicious, providing better in-space life for astronauts on board.
