Yummy! Start of Summer

可以“吃”的立夏

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The traditional Chinese solar calendar divides the year into 24 solar terms. Start of Summer, the 7th term of the year, begins on May 6 and ends on May 20 this year.

中国传统历法把一年划分为24个节气。立夏是二十四节气中的第7个节气，今年的立夏始于5月6日，止于5月20日。

Start of Summer signals the transition of seasons. The temperature will rise quickly during this period, yet in northern China weather remains mild, not tropical.

立夏标志着春日已去，夏日来临。期间，气温会迅速上升。然而在中国北方，天气依然温和，并不会十分炎热。

The term Start of Summer was originated at the end of the Warring States Period (239 BC). Since it is a crucial time for the harvest of summer crops such as wheat and canola, ancient Chinese emperors in different dynasties attached great importance to the Start of Summer.

“立夏”一词最早出现在战国末期（公元前239年）。由于立夏是小麦、油菜等夏季作物收获的关键时期，中国历朝历代都非常重视。

In ancient China, people believed a round egg symbolized a happy life and eating eggs on the day of Start of Summer was a prayer for good health. They put leftover tea into boiled water together with eggs and the original "tea egg" was created. Later people improved cooking methods and added spices to the eggs to make them taste delicious. Today tea egg has become a traditional snack in China.

古人认为，鸡蛋外形圆润，是幸福生活的象征。在立夏日吃鸡蛋，寓意身体健康。人们把吃剩下的茶叶放进沸水中和鸡蛋一起煮，于是，最原始的“茶叶蛋”就诞生了。后来，人们改进了煮茶叶蛋的方法，加入了调味料和香料，煮出来的鸡蛋就变得更加美味了。如今，茶叶蛋已经成为中国有名的传统小吃。

According to traditional Chinese medicine, Start of Summer is a key time to moisten the heart. When the weather grows hotter dampness and heat can affect human health. Food rich in vitamins and cool in nature is highly recommended. Vegetables, such as cucumber, tomato, watercress and celery and fruits that include watermelon, pear and strawberry are top recommendations.

中医认为，立夏是养心的关键时期。随着天气越来越热，湿热会影响人们的身体健康，建议食用富含维生素和性凉的食物。黄瓜、西红柿、水田芥、芹菜、西瓜、梨、草莓等果蔬都是首选。（何蒙贺 杨佳欣）