Life of Guangzhou - Wax Gourd Soup, Health Food against Summer Heat

Today is Dashu (大暑), or the hottest day of the year, according to traditional Chinese culture.

Dashu, which literally means "Utmost Summer Heat", is one of the 24 Jieqi (节气), and usually falls in mid July, or around the 20th day of the 6th month of the Chinese lunar calendar.

Dashu is not only the hottest day of the year, but probably also the dampest. After weeks of heavy rain and long days of intense sunlight, the heat and humidity reach their peaks. Not only do people suffer greatly under these conditions, but germs are more likely to grow and reproduce—that's why during Dashu people are more likely to get ill. Consequently, Dashu is considered a rather dangerous (凶) day in Chinese culture.

The Chinese people have long recognized these features of Dashu and observe certain practices to ease the stress caused by the heat and humidity.

As custom dictates, around Dashu people should avoid being outdoors for extended periods and eat fewer heavily seasoned or fried dishes, especially those including animal meat or fat. Lightly seasoned vegetable (清淡的) dishes are encouraged.

The Cantonese, well-known for their interest in food and health preservation, have developed even more particular practices concerning Dashu. Chief among these is eating "food medications"; and one of the most popular and time-honored "food medications" is Donggua Tang (Wax Gourd Soup).

Donggua Tang (Wax Gourd Soup), the most popular and time-honored “food medication”to ease the strains of heat and humidity during Dashu. (Xinhua)

Wax gourd soup is made not only from wax gourds, but also chops, coix seeds, white turnips, etc. All of these ingredients are believed to be of a "cold nature", detoxifying and helpful in the elimination of "dampness" in the human body.

Usually, a pot of white gourd soup requires hours of preparation, and is therefore considered the embodiment of a homemaker's familial affection. As the warm and sweet smell of wax gourd soup beckons people homeward, Dashu is often found at the center of family reunions.

The Cantonese prepare and eat many other "food medications" with the advent of the Jieqi, especially at the turn of the seasons. For example, when winter sets in and most beings in nature approach the end of their life cycles, the Cantonese will "dabu" (大补), or eat a lot of highly nutritious food in order to preserve their vitality.

(By Yang Quanquan, Stephen Roach)