Satiate Your Sweet Tooth With These Two 'Awakening of Insects' Solar Term Recipes

The traditional Chinese lunar calendar divides the year into 24 solar terms based on seasonal changes and natural phenomenon. It plays an important role in guiding agricultural activities, even to this day.

The period called 'Awakening of Insects' 惊蛰 jīng zhé, begins Mar 5 and ends on Mar 20 this year, and is the third solar term of the year. This period signals a rise in temperature and increased rainfall, and the subsequent humidity and temperatures are ideal for spring plowing. According to Chinese wisdom, our body also reacts to the change in climate, causing us to crave sweet and juicy food.

People predominantly consume pears during this season, not only because they reputedly help "enrich yin and clear away the heat" (滋阴清热 zī yīn qīngrè) but also because "pear" (梨 lí) is a homonym of both 'plow' (犁 lí) and "get rid of" (离 lí). What that hopefully means then is that there'll be an auspicious farming season and the grain will remain pest-free.

Unless you have a lush balcony garden, it's unlikely that the upcoming harvest is weighing heavily on your mind. However, there's no reason why you can't partake in the festivities by making your own desserts commonly eaten during the Jingzhe season. Below are two easy recipes to get you off to a prosperous start.

Peach gum pear stew (桃胶炖雪梨 táo jiāo dùn xuělí)

Ingredients (makes one bowl)

• One pear 
• 3g goji berries
• 6 dried red dates
• 500g peach gum (soak in water in advance, can be found on Taobao)
• 20g osmanthus honey

Method

Peel the pear and dice. Mix all the ingredients together in a microwave-safe container, and add enough water to cover the ingredients. Microwave on the lowest heat setting for 10 minutes, or until the dried red dates and goji berries are soft. Serve.

Tea flavored egg stew (惊蛰茶鸡蛋 jīngzhé chá jīdàn)

Ingredients (adjust quantities to your personal preference)

• Three eggs
• Raisins
• Dried red dates
• Walnuts
• Brown sugar
• Black tea

Method

Brew the black tea and set aside. Fry the raisins, red dates, and nuts in a pan on low heat with a few drops of oil until fragrant, then add the black tea and brown sugar. Add some more water to the pan, and bring to the boil. Add the eggs and boil for another few minutes until cooked to your liking. Serve.

This new travel show explores rural Chinese communities that are still living by the Solar Calendar.

Recipes translated from Xiachufang here and here.

More stories by this author here.
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Photos: SupFree, Hong Kong Observatory, Xiachufang