The traditional Chinese lunar calendar divides the year into 24 solar terms. The 24 solar terms were created thousands of years ago to guide agricultural production. But the solar term culture is still useful today to guide people's lives through special foods, cultural ceremonies and even healthy living tips that correspond with each term.
Minor Heat , the 11th solar term of the year, begins on July 7 this year and ends on July 22. Minor Heat signifies the hottest period is coming but the extreme hot point has yet to arrive. Chinese people call the warmest and dampest period of the year “San Fu” which usually starts from Minor Heat. “Fu” in Chinese means lying down, suggesting that the weather can be so uncomfortable that it is best to lie down rather than move around.
The rising temperature often imposes negative impacts on the human body, causing fatigue and poor appetite. The Chinese have come up with some wise solutions. One is to take advantage of heat-dispelling foods in season, like juicy watermelons, bitter gourds and crunchy cucumbers. But the most popular dish is green bean soup. Green bean, according to Chinese medicine, is considered to be able to dispel heat and toxic substances. Another solution is to stay calm and peaceful, as an ancient Chinese idiom goes, “stop complaining about the heat and you will feel cool in no time”.
During Minor Heat, storms, thunder and hail often happen, though in some years or in some areas there might be droughts. One of the prevailing farming activities during Minor Heat is staying on top of flood control and drought relief.
