Introduction: During the hot summer days of Sanfu, the old tradition emphasizes “eating according to the season”: remember to eat these 3 dishes, which are nutritious, delicious, and affordable.
With the sweltering summer heat, Sanfu quietly arrives, marking the hottest and most humid period of the year, often making it unbearably stuffy. During this long stretch of extreme heat, people’s dietary habits often need to be adjusted to align with nature, helping to clear heat and combat summer heat. According to traditional beliefs, fish like hairtail and grass carp are delicious but require caution when consumed during Sanfu.
Hairtail is cool in nature and nourishing, but consuming too much during high temperatures can easily cause stagnation of cold energy within the body; grass carp, being warm in nature, can also induce heat if not paired wisely, which is not conducive to the body’s self-regulation during the summer.
During Sanfu, the old tradition values “eating according to the season”; therefore, we should eat less hairtail and grass carp and instead consume the following three ingredients, which are not only nutritious and delicious but also budget-friendly and can help us resist the summer heat and nourish our body and mind.
1. Bitter Melon: The “Gentleman’s Vegetable” that Clears Heat and Relieves Summer Heat
During the sweltering days of Sanfu, bitter melon is undoubtedly a wonderful remedy gifted by nature. Bitter melon is bitter and cool in nature, clears heat, resolves fire, detoxifies, and benefits the eyes, making it a staple on summer dining tables.
Consumption suggestion: Bitter melon can be served cold, stir-fried, or made into soup, with each preparation preserving its bitter taste and rich nutrition. For example, a simple cold dish of bitter melon requires only slicing the bitter melon and blanching it, then mixing it with minced garlic, salt, vinegar, sesame oil, and other seasonings to create a refreshing and appetizing dish. Additionally, stir-frying bitter melon with eggs or lean meat enhances the dish’s richness and balances its nutritional value.
2. Mung Beans: The “King of Beans” that Relieves Heat and Thirst
Mung beans, recognized as a “heat-relieving artifact” for summer, are rich in protein and can replenish the nutrients lost during the hot summer due to excessive sweating. Additionally, their cool nature effectively alleviates summer heat and irritability.
Consumption suggestion: The most common way to consume mung beans is by making mung bean soup, which is not only simple to prepare but also has an excellent cooling effect. When cooking mung bean soup, you can add an appropriate amount of rock sugar or honey for flavor, enhancing its taste. Moreover, mung bean cake and mung bean porridge are also good options, satisfying the taste buds while promoting health.
3. Winter Melon: The “Summer Companion” that Promotes Diuresis and Reduces Swelling
Winter melon, known for its large, round shape, white flesh, and refreshing juiciness, is a common dish on summer dining tables. Winter melon is cool and sweet, clearing heat and generating fluids. Additionally, it is rich in dietary fiber, making it very suitable to eat during Sanfu.
Consumption suggestion: Winter melon can be cooked in various ways, whether stir-fried, stewed, or braised, preserving its delicious taste and nutritional value. In particular, winter melon and pork rib soup is not only tasty but also replenishes calcium and boosts physical strength. Furthermore, pairing winter melon with ingredients like kelp and shrimp enhances the dish’s complexity while providing more comprehensive nutrition.
