The traditional Chinese lunar calendar divides the year into 24 solar terms. Grain Buds, (Chinese: 小滿), the 8th solar term of a year, begins on May 21 this year, and ends on June 6. It means that the seeds from the grain are becoming full but are not ripe.

In China, the 24 solar terms were created thousands of years ago to guide agricultural production. But the solar term culture is still useful today to guide people’s lives through special foods, cultural ceremonies, gardening and even healthy living tips that correspond with each solar term. Let’s see what we can do during the “Grain Buds” period.

A good season for eating fish

During the Grain Buds period, the summer harvest is about to begin. A saying about rain during this time mentions, “A heavy rainfall makes the river full.” Because of the great increase in rainfall, rivers are full of water, which makes fish and shrimp big and fat. This is a good time to eat fish and shrimp. It is also harvest season for fishermen.

A popular fish dish is served at a restaurant, Wuhan, 2012. [Photo/IC]

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