The delicacies range from syrup to wine, and they have all something in common: they are either "cold" or "cool" in character, according to Chinese food therapy.

According to the theory deriving from traditional Chinese medicine, food can be generally categorized into "cold" (yin) and "hot" (yang). The term cold or hot is not referring to the actual temperature, but the inner character of the food. "Cold" food can reduce the body's internal heat, which is good for treating symptoms like fever, thirst, and cough. "Hot" food, on the other hand, can generate more yang energy in the human body, and help to cure diseases like rheumatism, low body temperature, and fatigue.

Chinese culture encourages people to adjust their diet in accordance with time and season. When the summer heat is as intense as now in July, it's good for you to have some "cold" snacks, to keep a balanced condition and stay healthy.

Chengdu Ice Jelly

Ice jelly has come to be an annual celebration of summer for many people in Chengdu, especially the younger generations, who are finding new solace during the long, hot season in the coolness, tenderness, smoothness and tastiness provided by a bowl of a concoction of jelly, syrup, nuts, raisins and an assortment of ingredients.

Links: GoChengdu Tour Guide: Summer Joy of Ice Jelly:travel/tour-guid/editor-s-guide/gochengdu-tour-guide-summer-joy-of-ice-jelly-a7241.html?xcSID=t6dud46vs4dbsf89db8bv4j154

Beijing plum syrup

photo: Ins ywinq2018

Suanmeitang, or plum syrup, is a traditional drink in the Beijing-Tianjin area, and especially favored by the imperial court of the Qing Dynasty (1936-1912). Produced by boiling smoked plum, haws, osmanthus, licorice, dried tangerine, and rock candy, it has a sweet and sour flavor and a refreshing taste.

The syrup tastes best when it's served ice cold.

Lanzhou wheat wine

photo: Ins hi_fangtujun

A specialty of northwest China's Lanzhou, the capital of Gansu Province, is Tianpeizi, meaning "sweet wine." In Lanzhou, people start to prepare it after the Qingming Festival, while in some other areas of Gansu, the drink is a special dish for the Dragon Boat Festival.

Tianpeizi uses wheat or highland barley as its main ingredient. After it is boiled and fermented for three to five days, the final product is done. It has a sweet, alcohol-like taste, and chewing on the wheat grains while drinking the wine is definitely a summer joy. The alcohol content of Tianpeizi is less than one percent ABV, as it is often mixed with milk or water. It is excellent for the digestive system and liked by children and the elderly.

Suzhou Mung bean soup

photo: Ins terryfoodblog

Mung bean soup is ubiquitous across China, simply made of the water of boiled mung beans, with added sugar sometimes. However, the southeastern Chinese Jiangsu province presents a mung bean soup that comes with a lot more ingredients.

With Red and green threads made by orange peel and edible pigment, glutinous rice, candied melons, and sometimes mint, nuts, and jujubes, the Suzhou mung bean soup is more like a creamy bowl of porridge (but not sticky), which is just suitable for those who are a bit hungry, tired or spending a lazy summer afternoon.

Nanning sophora flower drops

photo: Ins linhdevil

Sophora flower drops of Nanning in China's Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region are prepared like this: Grind Sophora flower and rice into rice milk, boil the milk until it turns into a paste. Filter the paste in a strainer before you get the drops. Put the drops into the chilled brown sugar soup; then the snack is finished.

The drops have a tender taste, while the soup has the sweetness and fragrance from the flower.

Guangzhou herbal tea

photo: Ins jo.wonder

The herbal tea that originated in Guangzhou of China's Guangdong Province is a vital representative of the traditional herbal tea culture in China. Historically, because of the hot and wet climate in the area, people began to drink water boiled by herbs with "cold" characters to keep healthy. The history of herbal tea can be dated back to thousands of years ago.

Herbal tea is not only a beverage, as it also has excellent medical benefits. Different formulas of the herbs serve various functions from contributing to physical health to preventing certain diseases. The craft of making herbal tea was listed in the National Intangible Cultural Heritage in 2005.

Fuzhou iced rice

photo: Ins kk_food_adventure

Originated from Changle district, Fuzhou City in Fujian Province, iced rice is also called Changle iced rice.

The snack is made by boiled glutinous rice, vanilla extract, sugar, butter, fruit and ice cubes. A bountiful bowl of iced rice is not only a feast for your stomach but also your eyes.