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The traditional Chinese solar calendar divides the year into 24 solar terms. Grain Buds, the 8th solar term of a year, begins on May 21 this year, and ends on June 5. It means that the seeds from the grain are becoming full but are not ripe.
Let's see what we can taste during the "Grain Buds" period.
During the Grain Buds period, summer harvest is about to begin. Because of the great increase in rainfall, rivers are full of water, which gives rise to great tasting fish and shrimps. This is a good time to enjoy them. It is also harvest season for fishermen.
Besides, a Chinese farmer proverb says, "Mulberries become black during the Grain Buds period." Thus it is a good season to eat mulberries.
Grain Buds is also a season for eating the herb of the common sow thistle, which is one of the earliest edible potherbs in China.
It tastes a little bitter and tart, but also sweet. It has the function of cooling the blood and detoxifying the body. It can be made into different types of dishes. Some people boil the herb with water and then squeeze out the juice, which can be used to make soup. (Video: He Menghe Yang Jiaxin)
