When I was young, I only felt that summers were hotter and winters were colder, without any notion of the “three nine” days or the hottest days (“three fu”) of the year. It’s only when I grew up did I learn that the heat in summer also follows patterns; the coldest is in the “three nine” days, and the hottest is in the “three fu.” As the old saying goes: “During the ‘three fu’ period, one should nourish the body and replenish vital energy, and when it comes to the winter ‘three nine’ period, one needs replenishment.”
July 15th marks the beginning of the “first fu,” and the temperature is rising rapidly like a rocket. Furthermore, with the peak of the summer heat approaching, some regions have already reached temperatures as high as 40 degrees. Every time you step out, it’s a challenge, and by noon, it’s hard to concentrate. Therefore, in such times, not only should we take measures to prevent heatstroke and cool down, but we should also adjust our dietary habits by consuming foods suitable for hot summer weather.
There is a saying: “During the beginning of the fu, consume the ‘three treasures’ to avoid the summer heat troubles.” It’s been a few days since the beginning of the fu, reminding families not to forget to consume the following three treasures!
One, Dumplings
In many northern regions, there’s a saying: “Dumplings during the first fu, noodles during the second fu.” Dumplings themselves carry significant cultural meaning in Chinese cuisine, symbolizing reunion and happiness. Eating dumplings during the fu period is about welcoming good luck and auspiciousness with family, and praying for smooth sailing for the family in the future. So, during the first fu period, people choose to eat dumplings to receive positive omens.
This positive symbolism is just one reason. Another reason is that after the three fu days, people’s appetites decline, but dumplings with various fillings provide a diverse meal and satisfy the body’s nutritional needs. Hence, the tradition of eating dumplings during the first fu period has been popular in many regions since ancient times. It is recommended to eat cucumber egg dumplings, simple yet delicious.
Two, Mung Beans
When it comes to summer and cooling beverages, many people think of mung bean soup first. The habit of consuming mung beans during summer has been around for a long time. In high-temperature environments, frequent sweating leads to rapid loss of body fluids and electrolytes. Mung bean porridge or mung bean soup can effectively replenish fluids and minerals, making them excellent foods for cooling off and nourishing qi.
There’s a saying: “In summer, eating beans is better than eating meat.” Starting from childhood memories, whenever summer arrived, adults would cook a pot of mung bean porridge, which was truly refreshing when consumed cold. Therefore, eating mung beans during the first fu is a great choice as it can enhance appetite, cool the body, detoxify, help control weight, aid digestion, soothe the throat, and relieve coughs. It is recommended to eat mung bean cakes and mung bean lotus seed lily soup; make sure to simmer the dried lily for a while.
Three, Bitter Gourd
After the beginning of the fu, due to the hot and stuffy weather, the body is prone to internal heat. Consuming bitter foods in summer can stimulate the taste buds, increase appetite, help cool the body, and prevent heatstroke. There is a saying: “Eating bitterness in summer is better than tonics.” Scientific research has shown that consuming bitter gourd during the three fu period has numerous benefits, such as clearing heat, reducing blood sugar, antioxidation, boosting immunity, increasing appetite, protecting the stomach, and promoting beauty.
Bitter gourd is commonly available and affordable for everyone. Thus, it rightfully becomes one of the “three treasures” for the abovementioned period. The vitamin C and trace elements in bitter gourd can enhance immunity and resistance; bitter gourd glycosides act like insulin, lowering blood sugar levels; and the glutathione in bitter gourd acts as a potent antioxidant, delaying aging. Therefore, consuming some bitter gourd in summer is highly beneficial. It is recommended to eat fermented black bean bitter gourd and bitter gourd stir-fried with shredded pork.
Following the beginning of the fu, temperatures gradually rise, and humidity in southern regions makes it feel sultry and unbearable. Many people tend to rely on air conditioning and cold drinks, but the consequences of excessive cooling can result in the loss of yang qi in the body. Insufficient yang qi can lead to decreased immunity and symptoms of weakness and cold in the spleen and stomach.
The three treasures mentioned above are foods tailored to the season that can strengthen the spleen, stomach, and resistance. After all, “supporting and reinforcing yang” is crucial for health during the three fu period!
