Cost of Produce in Xiamen

Here is just a quick look some more cost of living stuff.

This past Sunday I made Vegetarian Chili and corn bread from scratch at our apartment. I didn't have most of the fresh stuff I needed, so I ran across the street to the market to pick up some things.

Here is what I bought.

In case it it not totally clear from the picture:

• 1 Bag of White Sugar
• 1 Bag of Brown Sugar
• 1 Bunch of Celery
• 2 Green Bell Peppers
• 3 Red Chili Peppers
• 2 Cups Cornmeal
• 1 Cup Red Beans
• 2 Cup Kidney Beans
• 1 Ear of Corn
• 1 Large Bottle of Drinking Water

How much did all this cost me? 19.00 RMB that is just above $2.75.

Yes I cheated a bit by using real (not powdered) milk, along with cheese and butter from the Metro (not included) in the corn bread.

Adding these almost triples the cost of the meal, since a good block of cheddar, milk, and butter can easily run you 50RMB (still only costing you $10, including the produce) but obviously you then have plenty left over for other stuff.

I also cheated a little and bought canned tomato sauce for around 15 RMB, but this could easily be substituted for real tomatoes that cost about 1-2 RMB a piece.

If you include the garlic we had in the house, this yielded enough Chili and Cornbread for 4 people to eat until they were stuffed.

Some quick division gives us less than $2.85 a meal per person max. (this is omitting the white sugar since it wasn't used in anything)

Omitting the luxury of corn bread, Cheese, and making your own tomato sauce, Chili for this 4 could easily be made for under $2.80 TOTAL or $0.70 a person. (again omitting the white sugar)

Oh, and it came out great BTW.

(Add TingTao for 2.5RMB ($0.38) , slightly better Thai beer for 8 ($1.25) , or drive to the Marco Polo and adding a Sam Adams for 12RMB ($1.75)