Solar Terms | Minor Heat
SUMMER
Minor HEAT
Minor heat, also known as "Xiaoshu" in Chinese, is the 11th of the 24 solar terms in the Chinese lunar calendar, which falls on July 7 this year. This solar term was named after an ancient Chinese saying about hot days. Minor Heat is preceded by the Summer Solstice and then followed by the Dog days of summer. The Dog days are called "Fu" in Chinese, indicating that the heat is high enough for people to lie down. Since the first "Fu" period is relatively cooler, the solar term during this period is called "Minor Heat".
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Heat and Rain
Minor HEAT
#2021#
# Heat is a keyword of this period, but far from the only one. Following Minor Heat, there will be thunderstorms, especially in southern China. However, the “plum rain” season is coming to an end, despite lingering around for a few more days in some years.
# The days around Minor Heat are either very rainy or very dry. Specifically speaking, the rainy days from July to August in the eastern and southern areas of China may account for 75 percent of the annual rainfall, leading to frequent natural disasters such as floods and landslides.
Chinese wisdom
of staying cool
Watermelons, oranges, cucumbers and bitter gourds are all preferable fruits and vegetables during this period of the year.
In addition to melons, lotus roots are also great for cooking.
In summer, the lotuses in full bloom can provide fresh and tender roots. Therefore, poetic Chinese not only appreciate the beauty of the lotuses, but also make their root into appetizers. Besides, according to traditional Chinese medicine, it is believed that the lotus roots can clear the lungs and relieve fever, so the dishes cooked with lotus roots are highly recommended by doctors. For instance, "Steamed Lotus Root Stuffed with Sticky Rice" is one of the most popular dishes. Firstly, prepare a pot of boiled water colored with red yeast rice which is made more sticky by adding cube sugar and malt syrup. Secondly, fill the lotus roots with sticky rice which is then fixed by toothpicks. Thirdly, steam the lotus roots for about three hours. Finally, slice the lotus roots into pieces which are subsequently drizzled and sprinkled with osmanthus honey. By doing so, a nice and delicious summer snack is ready to be enjoyed.
Another way to cool down is eating congee cooked with different ingredients, such as mung beans, lotus leaves and roots, so as to help relieve inflammation and internal heat.
People living in different parts of China also have their own ways to beat the heat. For instance, in northern China, people drink plum syrups, while in southern China, people prefer a cup of iced tea for refreshment.
Prior to the popularity of electric appliances, the ancient Chinese had their own unique tricks to relieve the heat. For example, fans, as a basic tool for people to stay cool in summer, have developed into an art form over time. Meanwhile, wells, as a great substitute for refrigerators, were usually used by people to cool fruits.
Ice also played an indispensable role in the battle against the heat, apart from bamboo mats and porcelain pillows. Furthermore, the constructers of the Chinese ancient structures have taken into account the need to stay cool in summer, thus having chosen specific materials and structural designs.
#Minor HEAT#
Although a can of cold beer or a cone of ice cream can save you from the heat for a while, cold drinks and desserts are not recommended in traditional Chinese medicine, for the benefit of long-term health.
Instead, traditional Chinese medicine advocates that sweating can help human beings expel the harmful substances from the body, which is of immense advantage. So, prepare yourself for a sweaty summer!
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Source of Contents: CGTN
Some pictures are sourced from the Internet
Written by Shu Yuan
Proofread by Melody Zhang
Edited by Luo Xinyi
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