Minor Cold (Xiaohan)
As the weather turns colder, food traditionally eaten at this time is warm and soft, with fresh vegetables and grains included as well.
Script
Hello, everyone. Today’s solar term is Minor Cold, or Xiaohan. The classic meaning is simple: Lesser Cold opens the twelfth lunar month. Early in the month, the cold is still mild, so that is how the name came about. By mid-month, the cold grows stronger. In winter, people traditionally eat foods that are warm and soft. Glutinous rice is one. Mustard greens are another seasonal vegetable. Cured pork is also part of the winter table. A common dish is Stir-Fried Cured Pork with Mustard Greens. It brings together a rich flavor and a fresh taste. Go easy on glutinous rice, since too much at once is not ideal. If you want to make this season’s food more practical, take a look at the Minor Cold Warming Ingredient Set.
On the table this season
- Glutinous Rice (Nuomi)warm
Soft and comforting in texture, and suits the table in cold weather.
- Cured Pork (Larou)warm
A winter pantry staple traditionally eaten for its rich flavor.
- Mustard Greens (Jiecai)warm
A seasonal fresh vegetable with a clean taste that balances richer foods.
- Perch (Luyu)neutral
Tender in texture and suits steaming or making into soup.
- Peanuts (Huasheng)neutral
Naturally fragrant and fits the season in porridge or savory dishes.
Cook it
Stir-Fried Cured Pork with Mustard Greens (Larou Chao Jiecai)
Ingredients: Cured Pork (Larou), Mustard Greens (Jiecai), Ginger, Garlic, Cooking Oil
- Rinse and slice the cured pork, wash and cut the mustard greens into sections, and prepare the ginger and garlic.
- Heat a little oil in a pan, add the cured pork over low heat until fragrant, then stir in the ginger and garlic.
- Add the mustard stems first, then the leaves, and toss quickly until evenly combined.
- Cook just until the greens are tender-crisp, then serve; a light, fresh taste suits this dish best.
Peanut and Glutinous Rice Porridge (Huasheng Nuomi Zhou)
Ingredients: Peanuts (Huasheng), Glutinous Rice (Nuomi), Water, Red Dates
- Rinse the peanuts and glutinous rice separately; soaking the peanuts briefly beforehand is helpful.
- Add water to a pot, then put in the peanuts and glutinous rice and bring to a boil over high heat.
- Lower the heat and simmer gently, stirring from time to time to prevent sticking.
- Add the red dates and continue cooking until the rice is soft and sticky and the porridge becomes thick.
Go easy on
- Eat less overly raw or chilled food; warm meals suit this time better.
- Cured foods are already quite savory, so use less salt when cooking.
- Do not eat too much glutinous rice at once; it is better paired with vegetables.
Classical source
小寒，十二月節。月初寒尚小，故云。月半則大矣。Yueling Qishier Hou Jijie (Wu Cheng, Yuan dynasty)
Lesser Cold opens the twelfth lunar month: early in the month the cold is still mild, hence the name; by mid-month it becomes great.
Original text on Wikisource · Diet text drafted with AI and pending expert review.