Editor's Note

The ancient Chinese created an agricultural solar system - still in use today - that is based upon their observation of crops, climate, astrology, and the study of animal and plant life cycles. The system guided farmers as to when to sow seeds and when to harvest them, and this system has now been in place for more than 2,000 years.

Today, with advances in science and technology, agriculture depends less on this ancient wisdom. But this seasonal calendar still operates as a reference guide for gourmands to seek out the best times for seasonal delicacies and for health experts to plan nutritious diets.

In a single year, the system features 24 "solar terms," each lasting one day and occurring every two weeks. Each has its own name and characteristics. The Global Times is presenting a weekly series examining which foods and delicacies are best enjoyed during these periods, as well as tips on preserving general health.

This past Sunday marked the beginning of lixia, (literally "build up to summer") the seventh period in the traditional Chinese agricultural solar system. The term, which usually starts on May 5 or 6, heralds the arrival of summer when hot weather becomes the norm. It is also a time when crops grow faster, and more rains and thunderstorms are expected in the south of China.

In Shanghai, there are some old customary ways to welcome in the first day of lixia. For example, some children still wear hand-knitted red string bags with one or two boiled eggs inside them around their neck. Also, people would traditionally check their weight, and pray for good health. They would also eat meat, rice, beans, bamboo shoots and preserved duck eggs on this day.

Climatic changes

With the sweltering summer days, the human body needs to adjust to sudden climatic changes. During lixia, both the heart and digestion begin to slow down which can result in common aliments such as headaches, insomnia, dehydration and anorexia.

Accordingly, a light, low-fat diet is recommended by nutritionists during lixia. Porridge is an ideal dish that can be consumed for either breakfast or dinner. Lotus leaves and mung beans make a good complement to porridge for their efficacy in cooling down and hydrating the human body, as well as in relieving the burden on the spleen and stomach. Oily and spicy foods should be avoided for the whole of the summer, according to nutritionists.

While the suggested diet for this time of year may seem bland, it is nevertheless important to consume nutritious foods to stay healthy during lixia. Vegetables rich in vitamins including tomatoes, green peppers, Chinese watermelons, cucumbers, besides "cold" fruits by nature like watermelons, peaches and plums, are all highly recommended. Protein-rich eggs, fish, lean meat and beans are also on the shortlist for best summer eats.

The Global Times has collected a few recipes that are easy to cook at home and are ideal for keeping in shape during lixia.

Crucian carp soup

Ingredients: 200 grams crucian carp, 20 grams astragalus membranaceus (huangqi, a herb available at medicinal stores), ginger slices and scallion to taste

Method

Wash the crucian carp and remove its organs

Wash the huangqi and cut it into slices

Put the huangqi slices into a pot, add water and boil for 30 minutes

Put the crucian carp into the pot and boil and simmer for another 30 minutes

Wash the ginger slices and scallion and add them into the soup

Add some salt and MSG to taste, and serve

Sautéed bamboo shoots with shredded meat

Ingredients: 400 grams lean pork, 100 grams bamboo shoots, 50 grams Chinese wolfberries

Method:

Wash the lean pork and dice the meat

Clean and slice the bamboo shoots

Pour some oil into a frying pan and heat for a couple of minutes

Put the shredded meat and the sliced bamboo shoots into the pan and sauté for about 10 minutes

Add the Chinese wolfberries and stir all the ingredients together for about five minutes

Add some cooking wine, rock sugar, soy sauce, salt and MSG to taste, and serve

Longan and lotus seeds porridge

Ingredients: 25 grams longan, 50 grams lotus seeds, 100 grams rice

Method:

Wash the longan, the lotus seeds and the rice

Put everything into a pot and add some water

Put the lid on the pot and boil

Simmer and stew for about 30 minutes

Add some rock sugar to taste, and serve

Hawthorn and malt drink

Ingredients: 15 grams hawthorn, 30 grams malt, 15 grams radix pseudostellariae (taizi shen), 10 grams lophatherum gracile (dan zhuye, two kinds of herb both available at medicinal stores)

Method:

Wash all the ingredients and put them into a pot

Add some water into the pot and boil for about 15 minutes

Add some rock sugar to taste

Extract the juice and drink