Today, November 22, marks Xiaoxue (Minor Snow), the 20th of the Chinese calendar’s 24 solar terms. In Huzhou, Zhejiang Province on the Chinese mainland, a local kindergarten brought this tradition to life with a hands-on workshop.
Young learners dipped into the art of pickling—washing, salting, and crafting crisp winter veggies 🥒🥕—as teachers shared stories of how families have preserved harvests for centuries to stay nourished during chilly days.
The activity blended fun and learning: kids decorated jars, experimented with flavors like ginger-garlic and mild chili, and marveled at how simple ingredients transform over time. It was more than kitchen play—it was a crash course in cultural heritage and sustainability 🌱.
Pickling also sneaks in a bit of science: measuring salt-to-veg ratios, observing fermentation bubbles, and spotting tiny changes through chemistry in action 🧪. It’s like a mini STEM lab in a jar!
Of course, preserving veggies is a universal vibe. South Asia’s achaar and Southeast Asia’s atsara are tasty cousins to these winter pickles. Whether you’re from Mumbai, Manila or Huzhou, these traditions remind us that homemade bites can be both heritage-rich and Insta-worthy.
In a world where fast food often steals the spotlight, celebrating Xiaoxue with DIY pickles brings us back to mindful eating and creativity. Ready to start your own #WinterPicklesChallenge? Grab your veggies, pick a flavor, and share your jarred masterpieces online!
Reference(s):
Minor Snow solar term inspires kids to explore pickling traditions
cgtn.com
