Summer Solstice Soup: A Cool Gift from the Wisdom of Our Ancestors

Summer Solstice Soup: A Cool Gift from the Wisdom of Our AncestorsThe summer sun blazes like fire, scorching us with its intense heat. As we retreat to air-conditioned rooms, enjoying the coolness brought by modern technology, have we ever wondered how people in ancient times, without air conditioning or refrigerators, survived the sweltering summer? The answer lies in a simple bowl of "Summer Solstice Soup"

Summer Solstice Soup: A Cool Gift from the Wisdom of Our Ancestors

The summer sun blazes like fire, scorching us with its intense heat. As we retreat to air-conditioned rooms, enjoying the coolness brought by modern technology, have we ever wondered how people in ancient times, without air conditioning or refrigerators, survived the sweltering summer? The answer lies in a simple bowl of "Summer Solstice Soup".

The Dog Days of Summer: A Test of Endurance

The Dog Days, known in Chinese traditional calendar as "San Fu Tian", are the hottest period of the year, typically lasting from mid-July to mid-August, divided into Early Dog Days, Middle Dog Days and Late Dog Days.

The character "Fu" originally meant "to hide", signifying the time when the yang energy reaches its peak and begins to retreat, preparing for the arrival of autumn. However, the heat accumulated on the surface of the earth is released during this period, resulting in prolonged high temperatures.

Modern meteorology explains that the Dog Days are closely related to the activity of the subtropical high-pressure system. During this time, the subtropical high-pressure belt moves to the vicinity of the Yangtze River basin in China, forming stable high-temperature weather. Coupled with strong solar radiation, this period becomes a true "test of endurance".

High temperatures not only bring physical discomfort but also mental stress. People tend to sweat excessively, leading to dehydration and electrolyte imbalance. The stuffy environment also affects sleep, leaving people exhausted. Moreover, prolonged high temperatures can trigger health problems like heatstroke.

Summer Solstice Soup: A Crystallization of Ancient Wisdom

Faced with the summer's "test", our ancestors left behind a valuable wisdom Summer Solstice Soup, also known as "Three-Bean Soup", is made by simmering red beans, mung beans and black beans. This ancient tradition continues to this day and is still widely acclaimed.

The combination of the three beans embodies the TCM principle of "differentiated diagnosis and treatment", perfectly illustrating the balance of "yin and yang" and "five elements":

• Red Beans: Neutral in nature and sweet in taste, red beans have the effect of clearing heat, detoxifying, and promoting diuresis and edema reduction. TCM theory suggests that red beans can remove damp-heat from the body, particularly suitable for hot and humid weather in summer.

• Mung Beans: Cold in nature and sweet in taste, mung beans have the properties of clearing heat, detoxifying, relieving summer heat and quenching thirst. Mung beans are rich in vitamins and minerals, replenishing lost nutrients during high temperatures. Their cooling properties are a powerful aid in lowering body temperature.

• Black Beans: Neutral in nature and sweet in taste, black beans have the effect of nourishing the kidneys, invigorating essence, nourishing blood and moisturizing dryness. Known as the "king of beans", black beans are rich in protein and various trace elements, replenishing nutrients lost through sweating and enhancing the body's resistance.

These three beans, each with its own benefits, complement each other, offering a perfect summer solution for clearing heat, relieving summer heat, and replenishing nutrients.

The charm of Summer Solstice Soup lies not only in its nutritional value, but also in its cultural significance. The proverb "A bowl of Summer Solstice Soup beats the midday heat" vividly describes its importance in folk culture. More than just a food, it represents a lifestyle, reflecting the wisdom of "harmony between man and nature" in traditional Chinese culture.

Making Summer Solstice Soup: Simple but not Easy

Having learned about the benefits of Summer Solstice Soup, are you eager to try it? Don't rush, let's learn how to make this magical soup together!

Traditional Method:

1. Prepare the ingredients: Take equal amounts of red beans, mung beans and black beans, about 50 grams each, carefully select and remove any insect-eaten or damaged beans.

2. Soak the beans: Soak the beans in warm water for at least 6 hours, preferably overnight. This shortens cooking time and allows the beans to be more easily absorbed by the body.

3. Cook the soup: Rinse the soaked beans thoroughly and pour them into a clay pot (the slow, long-term simmering in a clay pot gives a richer flavor). Add an appropriate amount of water, covering the beans by 2-3 centimeters. Bring to a boil over high heat, skim off the foam, then reduce heat to low and simmer for about 40-60 minutes until the beans are soft and tender. Add rock sugar to taste.

Lazy Method:

If you don't have time to cook fresh soup every day, try the lazy method:

1. Cook a large batch of Three-Bean Soup on the weekend.

2. Scoop out the cooked beans, divide them into small portions, wrap them in cling film and freeze them in the refrigerator. When you want to drink it, take out a portion, no need to thaw, just put it in a pot with water and bring it to a boil. This method preserves the nutrients and taste of Three-Bean Soup while saving a lot of time on weekdays.

Variations of Summer Solstice Soup: The Collision of Tradition and Innovation

Although Summer Solstice Soup is packed with benefits, drinking the same soup every day throughout the summer can get boring. Smart Chinese people have long come up with various variations to make Summer Solstice Soup more diverse and interesting:

• Three-Bean Soy Milk: Soak, rinse, and blend three kinds of beans in a soybean milk maker with an appropriate amount of water, and select the soybean milk program. The resulting Three-Bean Soy Milk retains its original nutrients, is easier to digest, and is ideal for the elderly and children. You can also add some barley or red dates to enhance the taste and nutritional value.

• Three-Bean Smoothie: After cooling the cooked Three-Bean Soup, freeze it in the refrigerator until solid. Then take it out and scrape it into a smoothie with a spoon. You can add some coconut milk or honey for flavor. This cool and refreshing Three-Bean Smoothie preserves the nutrients of the three beans while providing instant coolness, making it a perfect summer choice.

• Three-Bean Glutinous Rice Balls: Mash the cooked three-bean soup, add an appropriate amount of glutinous rice flour and a little sugar to taste, knead into dough, roll into small balls, and coat with cooked glutinous rice flour. These Three-Bean Glutinous Rice Balls not only have a chewy texture but also retain the nutrients of the three beans, offering a healthy and delicious summer treat.

Drinking Summer Solstice Soup: Considerations and Wisdom

While Summer Solstice Soup offers numerous benefits, it is not for unrestricted consumption. To maximize its effectiveness, pay attention to the following points when drinking it:

• Choose the right time: Sunny, hot days during the Dog Days are most suitable for drinking Three-Bean Soup. Avoid drinking it on overcast days. On overcast days, the body's yang energy is relatively weak, and drinking cold mung bean soup may disrupt the body's balance.

• Drink at the right temperature: Drink Three-Bean Soup while it is warm, not cold, and do not chill it. Cold foods stimulate the stomach and intestines, making it easier to get sick. Overly cold foods damage the spleen and stomach yang energy, leading to decreased digestion.

• Embrace the season: Start drinking from the beginning of the Dog Days and stop at the end of the "Chu Shu" (End of Heat) solar term. Too much of anything is not good, moderation is key. After the Dog Days, the weather gradually cools down, and the body no longer needs a large amount of heat-clearing and summer-heat-relieving foods.

• Consider individual differences: People with a cold spleen and stomach, or those prone to diarrhea, should not drink too much. If you have any special health conditions, it is best to consult a TCM practitioner for advice.

• Drink in moderation: A bowl a day is sufficient. Excessive consumption may lead to bloating or affect the intake of other foods.

• Pair appropriately: Summer Solstice Soup is good, but don't rely on it alone to get through the Dog Days. Pay attention to dietary diversity, such as eating more seasonal fruits and vegetables to ensure a balanced diet.

Summer Solstice Soup: More than Just a Soup

As we savor this bowl of Summer Solstice Soup, we discover that it is more than just a simple soup. It embodies the wisdom of "harmony between man and nature" in traditional Chinese culture, reflecting our ancestors' profound understanding and adaptation to the laws of nature.

In modern society, with air conditioners, refrigerators, and other cooling devices, we seem to no longer need a bowl of soup to beat the heat. However, the wisdom of health preservation represented by Summer Solstice Soup deserves to be passed down forever. It reminds us to live in harmony with nature, adapting our diet and daily routines to the seasons, achieving a balance of body and mind.

At the same time, Summer Solstice Soup embodies the concept of "food therapy" in Chinese food culture. Our ancestors knew that it was better to prevent illness through a balanced diet than to take medicine after falling sick. This idea of prevention being better than cure remains relevant today.

More importantly, Summer Solstice Soup carries the love between family members. As the saying goes, "Whether rich or poor, health is most precious

Disclaimer: The content of this article is sourced from the internet. The copyright of the text, images, and other materials belongs to the original author. The platform reprints the materials for the purpose of conveying more information. The content of the article is for reference and learning only, and should not be used for commercial purposes. If it infringes on your legitimate rights and interests, please contact us promptly and we will handle it as soon as possible! We respect copyright and are committed to protecting it. Thank you for sharing.(Email:[email protected])