Coldest 'Cold Dew" in Beijing since 1969...

寒露 𝗖𝗼𝗹𝗱 𝗗𝗲𝘄, the 17th lunisolar term of this year (October 8-22) has reportedly been the coldest for more than 50 years (since 1969) in Beijing.

Cold Dew marks the first serious changes from autumn towards winter, misty rains and fog are characteristic for various regions in China during this lunisolar term. 𝗣𝗼𝗺𝗲𝗴𝗿𝗮𝗻𝗮𝘁𝗲𝘀 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗵𝗮𝘄𝘁𝗵𝗼𝗿𝗻𝘀 are popular fruit harvests while the persimmon still keeps on hanging until the last leaves drop from the trees later on. Crabs are also typical for this season having grown to full maturity.

It is also a season of blossoming, 𝗼𝘀𝗺𝗮𝗻𝘁𝗵𝘂𝘀 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗰𝗵𝗿𝘆𝘀𝗮𝗻𝘁𝗵𝗲𝗺𝘂𝗺 are both iconic flowers of the Cold Dew, blooming in second half of October and leaving delightful scents. Both flowers are used for cooking and herbal teas. And Cold Dew is considered the suitable season to go fishing for the many fishing enthusiasts around China.

The food and traditional medicine culture characterizes Cold Dew to 𝘁𝘂𝗿𝗻 𝗮𝘄𝗮𝘆 𝗳𝗿𝗼𝗺 𝘀𝗽𝗶𝗰𝘆 𝗳𝗼𝗼𝗱 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝘀𝘁𝗮𝗿𝘁 𝗰𝗼𝗻𝘀𝘂𝗺𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗯𝗹𝗮𝗻𝗱, 𝘀𝗼𝘂𝗿 𝗳𝗼𝗼𝗱𝘀 for protecting the lungs, throat and intestines in this changing weather. Drinking water, herbal teas or eating moisturizing foods are advised to counter the the inner and skin dryness during this season.

Popular foods during Cold Dew are hawthorns, pomegranates, pears, carrots, winter melon, lotus root, white fungus and beans, or kelp and seaweed. For the protein intake, lean meats such as duck, fish or crab are recommended. Medicinal herbal wines for the coming winter are also being prepared this time.

Many regions all over China have their own Cold Dew culture dependent on the natural environment and traditions, for example picking camellia seeds in Southern Hunan province while the Dong ethnic minority in the west of Hunan is preparing kippers during Cold Dew.

#chinesecalendar #chinesetraditions #colddew #traditionalchinesemedicine