Seasonal delights
C Read the magazine article about seasonal foods in China and complete the table.
A food for every season
Food in China is closely connected to the changing seasons. No matter the time of year, there is always something special to look forward to!
Spring arrives with warm temperatures and gentle rain. It brings new life to plants like mugwort. In spring, people collect its young leaves and mix them with rice flour to make qingtuan—soft dumplings with a fresh taste. Light and a little sweet, this seasonal treat perfectly matches the feeling of spring—fresh, new and full of life.
In summer, the days get hot and long, so people need food to cool their bodies. That's why lvdoutang is the perfect summer food. This simple dessert soup helps cool people down and beat the summer heat.
"When autumn winds blow, crabs grow restless," as the old Chinese saying goes. This shows the perfect season for enjoying hairy crabs. As the weather turns cooler in autumn, it is time to eat hairy crabs. They are at their best during this season because of their rich and delicious meat.
Finally, winter brings cold days. It is the hot pot season! A bubbling pot of soup filled with meat and vegetables is more than just a meal. It is a way to bring people together. It warms both their stomachs and their hearts.
Each of these foods helps us connect with the seasons in different ways. Whatever the season, there is a special food to enjoy!
| Season | Food | Description | Reason for eating |
| Spring | Qingtuan | Soft dumplings made from (
young leaves
) of mugwort and rice flour | Matches the feeling of (
spring—fresh, new and full of life
) |
| Summer | Lvdoutang | A simple dessert soup | Helps cool people down and beat the (
summer heat
) |
| Autumn | Hairy crabs | Crabs with (
rich and delicious
) meat | At their best in autumn |
| Winter | Hot pot | A bubbling soup with (
meat and vegetables
) | Brings people together and warms their stomachs and (
hearts
) |
