Minor Snow: Winter Begins, Snow Flutters, Warmth Hides in the Cold ❄️
Minor Snow (Xiaoxue) is the 20th of the 24 Solar Terms, usually falling on November 22 or 23 of the Gregorian calendar, when the sun reaches the celestial longitude of 240°. The name "Minor Snow" does not mean heavy snowfall, but signifies that the weather turns cold, precipitation changes from rain to snow, and the snow is light and melts easily upon landing. Northern China begins to see the first snowflakes, while southern China is mostly cold and humid, as heaven and earth gradually settle into tranquility.
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3.Closure brings winter: All creatures hibernate, heaven and earth become closed off, and winter officially arrives
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1.Cure preserved pork: "In winter, cure meat with wind to store for the cold season." After Minor Snow, the low temperature and low humidity create the perfect conditions for curing pork. Families select pork with a balance of fat and lean, marinate it with salt, wine, and spices, then hang it to air-dry. As the fat slowly settles, the flavor of the New Year begins to brew
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2.Dry fish: In coastal areas of southern China, people catch sea fish on sunny days, wash them, and spread them on bamboo racks to dry. The dried fish, savory and flavorful, is a delicious side dish for winter meals
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3.Eat glutinous rice cakes: In some southern regions, eating glutinous rice cakes (ciba) is a tradition during Minor Snow. Steamed glutinous rice is mashed into soft and chewy cakes, then coated with soybean flour and brown sugar—one bite warms both the body and the heart
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4.Store winter vegetables: "Harvest green onions during Minor Snow, or they will be lost." This is the harvest season for winter vegetables such as Chinese cabbage and radishes. People dry and pickle these vegetables to store for the whole winter, hiding the warm flavors of daily life
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As winter approaches, the atmosphere becomes colder. All the staff at Rongyou wish you to dress warmly. In the midst of our daily routines, may you stay healthy and be happy!
