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大暑 Great Heat

Start of Summer, Grain Buds, Grain in Ear, Summer Solstice, Minor Heat… all of these days have come and gone. This leaves us at Great Heat or 大暑- the last solar term for summer. It usually coincides with the "三伏天” or the "dog days of summer", the hottest days of the year.

In China, Turpan is a tourist destination that is known as "fire land”. In the well-known Chinese novel "Journey to the West西游记," the Monkey King knocked over a kiln in heaven. The embers fell to earth and lit a mountain on fire,a blaze that lasted hundreds of years. This Flaming Mountain火焰山 was in the heart of Turpan. Although this is pure fiction,the ground temperature in Turpan can reach 80 degrees Celsius!

In the summertime, we may lose our appetite. Foods cooling or neutral in nature and hydrating foods can bring relief from the heat. But my suggestion is lamb soup“喝暑羊”. It’s common in China even though you may take for granted that lamb is best in winter. But it is very nutritious to help us recover energy caused by the “Great Heat”.

Here in Shanghai, you can find delicious mutton or lamb in Qibao ancient town in Minhang District. And during "三伏天”  or the "dog days of summer", foodies are eating lamb for breakfast as early as 4:30 am. As for me, I prefer staying in bed.

But just in case, here are two yummy options for you. One is Qibao braised lamb 七宝红烧羊肉. It is said to been a favorite of Empress Dowager Cixi. The other one is Qibao boiled mutton, 七宝白切羊肉. It represents the best original flavor of mutton. You can always see tourists lining up for these dishes.

大暑到，雷声高，细雨阵阵润心潮。愿你大暑心舒畅，大暑快乐！