When winter chills hit the Northern Hemisphere, Northern China warms up with a vibrant tradition that’s as delicious as it is colorful—making and eating dumplings during the winter solstice! 🥟❄️
The winter solstice, known as Dongzhi (冬至) in Chinese, marks the shortest day and the longest night of the year. It’s a big deal in Chinese culture, symbolizing the return of longer days and the gradual journey towards spring. And what’s a better way to celebrate than with food that brings everyone together? Enter the dumplings!
Dumplings, or jiaozi (饺子), are more than just tasty bites. They’re shaped like ancient Chinese money called ingots, so eating them signifies prosperity and good fortune. Families gather to knead dough, prepare fillings, and wrap dumplings together—a fun and bonding experience! 👨👩👧👦
But here’s the exciting twist: colorful dumplings! 🌈✨ To make the feast even more festive, people add natural colors to the dumpling wrappers using beetroot juice, spinach purée, or turmeric. The result? A rainbow of dumplings that’s totally Instagram-worthy! 📸
This tradition isn’t just about food; it’s about embracing the season, honoring heritage, and sharing joy with loved ones. Kinda reminds you of how we celebrate festivals like Pongal or Songkran, right? It’s all about community and colorful celebrations!
So, the next time you’re looking for a way to spice up your winter festivities, why not try making some colorful dumplings? It’s a tasty way to connect with a rich tradition and add some warmth to those chilly nights! 🥟❤️
Reference(s):
Colorful tradition: Northern China's winter solstice dumplings
cgtn.com
