Since diplomat and imperial envoy Zhang Qian’s expedition westwards more than two thousand years ago, a path connecting China and the outside world has come into being. The path, known as the Silk Road, has brought about economic and cultural exchanges in China and abroad, as well as a variety of new foreign produce to foodies across the nation. As the result, new fruits and vegetables have appeared on dinning-tables ever since.

　　2000多年前，外交家、钦差大臣张骞出使西域，连接起了中国与外部世界沟通的这条路，即“丝绸之路”。这条路增进了中国与其他国家的经济文化交流，还将各类外国物产引进到中国。因此，自那时起，新鲜的水果蔬菜就出现在了我们的餐桌上。

　　Here are a few:

　　我们就一起来看看其中的一些：

　　1. Grape

　　1.葡萄

　　Originating in the Black Sea and the Mediterranean, the grape entered China from Dayuan, during the reign of Emperor Wu of Han Dynasty (206 BC - AD 220). Dayuan was an ancient country in Ferghana valley in central Asia, which was famous for grapes, alfalfa, and ferghana horses.

　　葡萄最早产于黑海和地中海，在汉武帝时期(公元前206前至公元220年)由大宛传入中国。大宛是中亚地区费尔干纳谷地的一座古城，以盛产葡萄、苜蓿以及费尔干纳宝马闻名。

　　2. Pomegranate

　　2.石榴

　　The pomegranate originated in the region of modern-day Iran, and has been cultivated since ancient times throughout the Mediterranean region and northern India. The fruit was introduced to China during the Tang Dynasty (AD 618-907), and was considered an emblem of fertility and numerous progeny.

　　石榴产自如今伊朗所在的地区，自古就在地中海地区和印度北部地区培育种植，在唐代(公元618-907年)引入中国，石榴被看作多子多孙的象征。

　　3. Walnut

　　3. 核桃

　　Brought back by Zhang, the walnut is also known as the longevity fruit. It can warm and invigorate the body, and often serves as a key ingredient in Chinese pastries.

　　核桃由张骞带入中国，也叫长寿果，能够活血益气，是中式糕点的重要原料。

　　4. Garlic

　　4.大蒜

　　Garlic is native to the region of southern Europe and central Asia. During the Western Han Dynasty (206 BC-AD 24), Zhang introduced the species in the onion genus, Allium, to China. During ancient times in China, foreign tribes were referred to as "Hu troops", so garlic was originally referred to as "Hu garlic".

　　蒜原产于南欧和中亚，属洋葱科葱属植物，西汉时期(公元前206至公元24年)，由张骞带入中国。在古代中国，外国族群都被称为“胡人”，所以，蒜最开始也被称为“胡蒜”。

　　5. Coriander

　　5. 香菜

　　Coriander, known as cilantro or Chinese parsley, is native to the regions spanning from southern Europe to central Asia. Zhang brought the seeds of coriander into China, according toThe Compendium of Materia Medica, an ancient Chinese book on herbology, which was written during the Ming Dynasty (1368-1644) by Doctor Li Shizhen.

　　香菜，也叫芫荽或中式西芹，原产于南欧到中亚的大片地区。据明代(1368-1644年)医师李时珍所著《本草纲目》记载，是张骞将香菜种子带入了中国。

　　6. Cucumber

　　6.黄瓜

　　Cucumber is originally from South Asia, on the southern foot of the Qomolangma Mountain. However, in Zhang’s time, the cucumber was known as the "Hu melon".

　　黄瓜原产于南亚，珠穆朗玛峰南面的山脚地带。在张骞所在的时代，黄瓜被称为“胡瓜”。

　　7. Alfalfa

　　7. 苜蓿

　　The alfalfa, also called lucerne, is an important forage crop in many countries around the world. According to the Records of the Grand Historian, by historian Sima Qian of the Han Dynasty, alfalfa was introduced into China from Dayuan following Zhang Qian’s embassy.

　　苜蓿，也叫紫花苜蓿，是世界上很多国家重要的饲料作物。据汉代史学家司马迁所著《史记》记载，苜蓿是在张骞出使之后，从大宛引进到中国的。

　　8. Eggplant

　　8.茄子

　　Eggplant, originally domesticated in India and Southeast Asia, was brought into China during the Han Dynasty, and became a common vegetable in the Jin Dynasty (AD 265-420).

　　茄子原产于印度和东南亚，在汉代引入中国，在晋代(公元265-420年)成为常见蔬菜品种。

　　9. Sesame

　　9. 芝麻

　　Sesame, introduced into China by Zhang, has many species, with most being wild and native to sub-Saharan Africa. Sesame indicum, the cultivated type which is edible, was originated in India.

　　芝麻由张骞带入中国，品种繁多，多为野生，原产于非洲撒哈拉沙漠以南地区。人工培育的可食用芝麻品种原产于印度。

　　10. Hyacinth bean

　　10. 扁豆

　　The hyacinth bean was originally grown in India, and brought into China between the Han and Jin dynasties.

　　扁豆原产于印度，在汉代和晋代时期引入中国。

（编辑：何莹莹）