On this year’s May 20, as the 8th of the 24 solar terms, the term Grain Buds (Chinese: 小滿Xiǎo mǎn) reflects the idea that grains are beginning to fill but are not yet fully ripe. The increased rainfall fills rivers, making the Grain Buds a perfect time for enjoying fresh fish.

In China, the 24 solar terms were created thousands of years ago to guide agricultural production, and they’re still useful nowadays. They can guide people’s lives through corresponding special foods, cultural rituals, horticulture, and healthy life tips. Let’s see what we can do during the Grain Buds.

A good season for eating fish
During the Grain Buds, the summer harvest is about to start. Due to the increasing precipitation, the rivers fill with water, making the fish and shrimp big and fat. This is an excellent time to eat them and the fishermen's harvest season.

A good season for eating mulberries
A Chinese proverb says, "Mulberries become black during the Grain Buds period." Thus, it is an excellent season to eat mulberries. At the time of the Grain Buds, the mulberries are sweet and sour, flowing with the special flavor.

(By Yang Jiming/Qi Qian)