Summer, the season of Yang energy and activity. Under the rising temperature, our bodies are especially prone to accumulated Heat and Dampness. The high metabolic rate causes much perspiration, at the expense of Qi (vital energy) and body fluid. Certain foods and drinks can help cool the body and keep the symptoms of summer heat in check, while other foods can exacerbate the conditions.
The Chinese view seasonality of nutrition in a complex light, through the application of TCM (Traditional Chinese Medicine) wisdom to dietary habits. In short, certain foods are considered too yang, or hot to eat in excess during the warmer months, while others are prized for their yin ability to cool the body, useful in the heat of summer. Overall, the goal is internal balance between yin and yang forces within the body.
Inherently cooling foods tend towards the green end of the spectrum, with lettuces, cucumbers, lotus root, mushrooms, and watercress some of the coolest. Few vegetables are warming. Fish and seafood are cooling, while most meats are warming.
This is an ideal drink for hot summer days. As well as helping to prevent sunstroke it also clears Heat, benefits Qi, promotes body fluid secretion and is an excellent thirst quencher!This is an ideal drink for hot summer parties. As well as helping to prevent sunstroke it is also an excellent thirst quencher.
Ingredients:
- 60 - 80 White Chrysanthemum Flowers
- 3 teaspoon of Jasmine Yinhao Green Tea
- Rock sugar or honey
- 4 liters of water
Instructions:
- Wash the chrysanthemum.
- Put chrysanthemum and tea into a cooking pot.
- Pour in 4 liters of water and bring it to boiling.
- Reduce heat and continue to cook for 20 minutes.
- Put in rock sugar or honey.
- Remove pot from the heat and allow to cool till room temperature.
- Strain the tea and put into refrigerator.
- Serve the tea chilled and enjoy!
Do's and Don'ts for Summer Recipes:
Do's in summer recipes:
- white lentils
- mung beans
- pear
- watermelon
- dark plum
- sugar cane
- strawberries
- mulberries
- grapes
- coconut milk
- lemon
- watermelon peel
- persimmons
- pineapples
- water chestnuts
- bitter melon
- winter melon
- hairy gourd
- sweet potato
- snake melon
- cucumber
- tomato
- Chinese spinach
- straw mushrooms
- lotus roots
- Chinese wolfberry leaves.
Don'ts in summer recipes:
- lamb
- longan
- dried longan
- lychee
- Chinese chive
- onion
- kale
- Sichuan peppercorns
- cinnamon
- stir fried peanuts
- stir fried cucumber
- cold rice crackers
- cold congee
- cold rice