Things you may not know about Minor Heat

　　China's lunar calendar divides the year into 24 solar terms. Minor Heat, or Xiaoshu in Chinese, the 11th solar term, starts on July 7 this year.

　　Minor Heat, as indicated by its name, signifies it is not the hottest time of the year but the dog days are coming.

　　A season of storms, thunder and hail

　　Storms, thunder and hail often happen during Minor Heat, though in some years there might be droughts. One of the prevailing farming activities during Minor Heat is staying on top of flood control and drought relief.

　　A season for the lotus flower

　　In Minor Heat, high temperatures are good for the growth of the lotus flower. From Minor Heat to the Double Ninth Festival, the lotus flower is in full bloom, and always simple but elegant.

　　Sunning clothes

During the Minor Heat period, with the longest amount of sunlight and the strongest sunlight radiation, many families hang their clothes out in the sun to prevent mildew.

　　In Chinese tradition, there are certain food Chinese people prefer to eat during the Minor Heat period.

Dumplings

　　Yes, again! It seems our Chinese eat dumplings on every occasion, but for different reasons. People choose dumplings during the Minor Heat as a refreshment for their decreased appetite due to the heat.

Lotus Roots

　　Nutrient rich, crunchy and delicious, lotus roots are popular vegetable in China. Whether made into soup or just a quick salad, lotus roots always offer a fresh taste.

Melons

　　Minor Heat arrives at a time when various kinds of melons turn ripe. In east China's Nanjing, capital city of Jiangsu Province, it's a tradition to have small melons such as cantaloupes in a family reunion.

　　Mutton Soup

　　People in parts of China like to eat mutton during the Minor Heat. This custom can be dated back to thousands of years ago. It is said that one bowl of mutton soup will keep the doctors away.