Eight Popular Chinese Treats to Beat the Summer Heat Explore in China - Food

The temperatures are soaring as China has entered the hottest period of the year, known as Da Shu (literally the Great Heat) – it is the 12th in the 24 solar terms on the Chinese lunar calendar and officially started Friday.

With the average daily temperature reaching over 30 degrees Celsius, Chinese people are refreshing their menus to cope with the scorching heat.

While watermelon is widely known as the most popular summer fruit, what else do you know about Chinese summer foods? Here, we’ve picked eight treats that the Chinese people prefer to eat during summer.

1. Bitter melon in sauce

Chinese people believe eating bitter in summer can help relieve internal heat, eliminate fatigue, and harmonize the spleen and the stomach. Bitter melon is thus a must-try in the dog days of summer.

When the weather is sizzling and people may lose appetite for hot cuisine, cold bitter melon in sauce can become a soothing alternative.

It is believed that the vegetable has the power to improve blood circulation and help decrease the blood sugar level.

2. Smashed cucumbers with sesame oil and garlic

Another typical cold dish is smashed cucumbers with sesame oil and garlic, which is called “Pai Huanggua” in Chinese, and is served in restaurants all across the country.

The process of making it is simple: smash the cucumbers and splatter the sauce made with sesame oil, garlic and vinegar. Then you will be able to enjoy the cool and crunchy delicacy. For people who like it spicy, chilies can definitely be added.

3. Duck soup

The tasty duck soup is a refreshing broth during the hot spells. It is believed that the soup is able to relieve the body’s internal heat and boost the immune system, according to traditional Chinese medicine.

One of the most favored duck soups is boiled with white gourd and sliced ginger.

4. Mung bean soup

Mung bean soup is a soothing sweet soup (also a dessert) commonly cooked in Chinese kitchens. It tastes even better when served ice cold.

In traditional Chinese medicine, mung beans are considered as having a “cooling” property, and are also thought to flush the toxins in human body. The beans are also a good source of protein, vitamins, fiber and minerals.

Recipe: beans, water and rock sugar.

5. Rice wine

Rice wine, called “Mijiu” in Chinese, is a beverage widely consumed in China, especially in southern areas of the country. It’s made from fermented glutinous rice.

It is also largely available in Chinese supermarkets.

6. Grass jelly

Grass jelly is a jelly-like dessert that originated in Taiwan and southern China.

The jelly itself has a slight bitter taste, with a translucent dark brown color. Most typically, the sweet treat is served chilled (or hot) in a bowl, either by itself or with fruits and peanuts.

7. Ginger tea

According to traditional Chinese medicine, eating ginger in summer accelerates perspiration to cool the body and increases blood circulation. Ginger tea is thus a trendy summer drink.

8. Ice creams

For many, summer is almost synonymous to ice creams. Here are some of the bestselling budget ice creams in China, and they are under five yuan each. - cctvnews