White Dew (Bailu)
During White Dew, food is best kept moistening, light, and gentle, with a soft, warm texture.
Script
Hello, and welcome to White Dew, or Bailu. The classic meaning is simple. White Dew opens the eighth lunar month. Autumn belongs to metal, whose color is white. As the cool air grows heavier, dew condenses and turns white. In daily eating, this season is often kept moistening, light, and gentle, with a soft, warm texture. Chinese yam is a common choice for the autumn table. Pumpkin is sweet and tender when steamed or simmered. Grapes are in season around White Dew, and are often eaten fresh in moderate amounts. A familiar dish is Chinese Yam and Pumpkin Congee, warm and smooth for everyday meals. One thing to go easy on is overly chilled or raw food, and do not overdo fruit. For simple seasonal cooking, please see the White Dew Autumn Moistening Ingredient Pack.
On the table this season
- Chinese yamneutral
Its mild taste and soft texture suit the autumn table.
- Pumpkinwarm
A common seasonal food that is sweet and tender whether steamed or simmered.
- Grapesneutral
They are in season around White Dew and are juicy and refreshing.
- Taroneutral
Freshly in season in autumn, and traditionally eaten cooked until fluffy and filling.
- Crucian carpneutral
Often used for soup, with a delicate and gentle flavor that fits the season.
Cook it
Chinese Yam and Pumpkin Congee
Ingredients: Chinese yam, pumpkin, rice, water
- Rinse the rice, add water, and bring it to a boil.
- Peel and dice the Chinese yam, then peel and cut the pumpkin into chunks.
- When the rice begins to bloom slightly, add the Chinese yam and pumpkin.
- Reduce to low heat and simmer until everything is soft and the congee becomes thick.
Taro and Crucian Carp Soup
Ingredients: taro, crucian carp, ginger, scallion, water
- Clean the crucian carp, peel and cut the taro into chunks, and slice the ginger.
- Add a little oil to a pot and lightly pan-fry the fish on both sides until lightly golden.
- Add water, ginger, and scallion, bring to a boil, then lower the heat.
- Add the taro and simmer until the broth turns milky and the taro is soft; remove the scallion before serving.
Go easy on
- Eat less overly chilled or raw food, and do not overdo fruit.
- Eat less overly spicy or drying rich food.
- Try to eat at regular times and avoid overeating at night.
Classical source
白露，八月節。秋屬金，金色白，陰氣漸重，露凝而白也。Yueling Qishier Hou Jijie (Wu Cheng, Yuan dynasty)
White Dew opens the eighth lunar month. Autumn belongs to metal, whose colour is white; as the cool air grows heavier, dew condenses and turns white.
Original text on Wikisource · Diet text drafted with AI and pending expert review.