Grain Buds (Xiaoman)

On the table this season

• Bitter Meloncold

  Its pleasantly bitter, refreshing taste is traditionally eaten in early summer.

• Luffa Gourdcool

  Rich in moisture, with a tender and gently refreshing texture.

• Romaine Lettuce Stemcool

  Crisp, tender, and fresh, suiting simple home-style dishes.

• River Shrimpwarm

  Naturally savory and fits the season in soups or stir-fries.

• Loquatcool

  A seasonal fruit with a mild sweet-tart taste that feels fresh and appetizing.

Cook it

Stir-Fried Bitter Melon with Egg

Ingredients: bitter melon, eggs, garlic, cooking oil, salt

1. Remove the seeds from the bitter melon and slice it thinly; mince the garlic and beat the eggs.
2. Briefly blanch the bitter melon in boiling water, then drain well for a milder texture.
3. Heat oil in a pan and cook the eggs until just set, then remove.
4. Add the garlic and bitter melon to the pan and stir-fry, return the eggs, season with salt, and mix well.

Luffa Gourd and River Shrimp Soup

Ingredients: luffa gourd, river shrimp, ginger, spring onion, salt, cooking oil

1. Peel the luffa gourd and cut into chunks; rinse the river shrimp; slice the ginger and cut the spring onion into sections.
2. Heat a little oil in a pot, add the ginger and shrimp, and stir briefly until fragrant.
3. Add water and bring to a boil, then add the luffa gourd and cook until tender.
4. Season with salt, scatter over the spring onion, and serve when the soup is light and savory.

Go easy on

• Eat less overly greasy and heavy food.
• Do not overdo iced drinks and frozen desserts; mildly warm or cool foods suit this time better.
• Avoid making food too salty or too spicy, so the natural taste of seasonal ingredients can stand out.

Classical source

小滿，四月中。小滿者，物至于此小得盈滿。

Yueling Qishier Hou Jijie (Wu Cheng, Yuan dynasty)

Lesser Fullness is the midpoint term of the fourth lunar month: by now things have filled out a little.

Original text on Wikisource · Diet text drafted with AI and pending expert review.