China Chat

Hanlu, "cold dew" is the first solar term after the autumn equinox. Make sure your feet stay dry and warm and learn how to make drunken crab from Jiajia. Contact us at: [email protected]

The Autumn Equinox features a delicious and beautiful treat - the moon cake. We'll talk about its history and the Moon Cake Festival as well as autumn cattle folk art and the bugs getting ready to sleep through winter.  

The third autumn solar term, bailu (white dew) means cooler temperatures, dry winds and birds migrating south to prepare for winter. Join us as Jiajia gives his recipe for tomato egg soup, talks about his grandma's rice wine soup and how lucky it is to step in dog excrement. 

In ancient times, chunshu, the second solar term of autumn, was a time for sailing candle-lit paper and eggplant boats to remember the ancestors, eating delicious duck meals to prepare for the coming winter and drinking herbal tea to help deal with the change of seasons. 

The Start of Autumn, Liqiu, is an ironic term, since many parts of China are still under the grip of summer temperatures.  It's time to celebrate the harvest, and fatten up on red braised pork for the coming winter. 

Major heat is the last of the summer solar terms. We'll talk about goat soup, summer boats, delicious lychee and the meaning of the phrase, "dog days of summer". Join our Facebook group, "China Chat" or email us at [email protected]

It's time for lotus blooms, soaring eagles, and magical fireflies. The Lessor or Minor Heat is a beautiful, if hot, part of summer. Send your comments, birthday requests, suggestions or ideas to: [email protected] - all languages are welcome! 

The longest day. We talk about the Northern Lights, White Nights, Beijing noodles, and the difference between wonton na dumplings. 

We talk about "Grain in Ear", the annual mud fight festival, "clash month", watermelon eating, ice cream, our "Great Durian Debacle" and Duck Soup!

Xiao man is the second Solar term of summer. We’ll talk about bitter melon, water wheels and delicious mulberries!