Beginning of Autumn (Liqiu)
At Beginning of Autumn, food is best kept light, gently moistening, and balanced, with less pungent, drying, or overly rich flavor.
Script
Hello, and welcome to Beginning of Autumn, Liqiu. In the classic, “Li” means to begin, and “qiu” means to gather in. It says this term opens the seventh lunar month, and from here all things start to draw in. In everyday seasonal tradition, people often keep meals light and gently moistening. Corn is a familiar choice, whether boiled or in soup. Lily bulb also appears in simple home meals. Autumn pear is another seasonal option, fresh or lightly simmered. A warm dish for this time is Corn, Lily Bulb, and Pork Rib Soup. It keeps the flavor light and balanced. At this term, go easy on overly spicy, drying, greasy, or very rich food. For easy cooking, look to the Beginning of Autumn Light & Moistening Ingredient Pack.
On the table this season
- Cornneutral
Fresh and naturally sweet in season; traditionally eaten in soups or simply boiled, and it fits the season.
- Lily Bulbcool
Delicate and gently moistening in texture, and it suits everyday meals in early autumn.
- Autumn Pearcool
A seasonal autumn fruit that is refreshing both raw and simmered, and it fits the season.
- King Oyster Mushroomneutral
Tender and mild, making it suitable for both stir-fries and soups.
- Lotus Rootcool
Crisp and refreshing, and traditionally eaten during the early autumn seasonal shift.
Cook it
Corn, Lily Bulb, and Pork Rib Soup
Ingredients: Corn, Lily Bulb, Pork Ribs, Sliced Ginger, Scallion Segments, Salt
- Rinse the pork ribs, blanch them briefly, then remove and set aside.
- Cut the corn into sections, separate the lily bulb, and rinse well.
- Add water to a pot, then add the pork ribs, corn, sliced ginger, and scallion segments.
- Once the broth becomes clear, add the lily bulb and simmer a little longer.
- Add a small amount of salt before serving; keep the flavor light.
Stir-Fried Lotus Root and King Oyster Mushroom
Ingredients: Lotus Root, King Oyster Mushroom, Green Pepper, Sliced Garlic, Cooking Oil, Salt
- Peel and slice the lotus root, rinse and slice the king oyster mushroom, and cut the green pepper into pieces.
- Heat oil in a wok or pan, then stir-fry the sliced garlic until fragrant.
- Add the king oyster mushroom and stir-fry, then add the lotus root slices.
- Add the green pepper and continue stir-frying until just cooked, seasoning lightly.
- Cook over high heat throughout to keep the texture crisp and tender, then serve.
Go easy on
- Eat less overly spicy or drying food, and keep flavors from becoming too heavy.
- Have fewer greasy, overly rich dishes; lighter and fresher choices fit the season better.
- Cold drinks and iced foods are fine in moderation, but do not overdo them.
Classical source
立秋，七月節。立字解見春。秋，揫也。物于此而揫斂也。Yueling Qishier Hou Jijie (Wu Cheng, Yuan dynasty)
Beginning of Autumn opens the seventh lunar month. "Li" means to begin, and "qiu" means to gather in: from now on all things start to draw in.
Original text on Wikisource · Diet text drafted with AI and pending expert review.