Summer Solstice has just passed. As one of the earliest determined seasonal divisions, ancient Chinese divided Summer Solstice into three phases: “first phase – Deer antlers begin to shed; second phase – cicadas start to chirp; third phase – Pinellia ternata starts to grow.”
First phase – deer antlers begin to shed: Deer antlers grow forward and were believed to belong to yang by the ancients. Starting from Summer Solstice, yin energy begins to rise while yang energy starts to decline, causing deer antlers to start shedding.
Second phase – cicadas start to chirp: Cicadas underground sense the yin energy and hurriedly climb up trees, flapping their wings and chirping.
Third phase – Pinellia ternata starts to grow: Pinellia ternata is a medicinal herb that prefers shade. It got its name because it grows in marshes or paddy fields during mid-summer. In the scorching mid-summer, when Pinellia ternata starts to grow, it signifies the decline of yang creatures.
After the Summer Solstice, the truly hot weather arrives. There's a saying that it isn't hot until after the Summer Solstice. Although the daytime gradually shortens, the heat accumulated on the ground is still more than what is dissipated. Therefore, temperatures will continue to rise for some time. Especially during the Dog Days, the ground temperature reaches its highest point. Hot weather can easily cause symptoms such as irritability, fatigue, loss of appetite, or even heatstroke. So how should one drink tea to prevent these symptoms?
Green Tea
Green tea is most suitable for summer drinking. Green tea is not fermented and hasn't undergone oxidation, so it retains the original taste of the fresh leaves to the greatest extent possible. Components such as Caffeine and polyphenols are well preserved. During the hot summer, when people consume excessive amounts of energy and easily become lethargic, drinking green tea can help to quench thirst, relieve heat, and stimulate saliva production. It also aids Digestion and can accelerate the healing of minor oral and gastric ulcers, making it very suitable for summer consumption. However, due to its slightly cold nature, those with a cold stomach might prefer milder teas like Tieguanyin. Drinking precautions: Drinking too strong green tea can easily harm the stomach and increase the burden on the cardiovascular system and kidneys.
White Tea
White tea is a type of tea that undergoes minimal fermentation through processes such as heat fixation and drying. It is cool in nature and rich in amino acids, which have the effect of cooling the body and relieving heat, helping to prevent heatstroke. It is an excellent choice for removing dampness and heat. During hot weather, heatstroke is more likely to occur, especially for those who work or play outdoors frequently. In this case, white tea is a must-have. Drinking precautions: Fresh white tea is slightly cold, so those with a cold stomach should drink less and avoid drinking it on an empty stomach. It is recommended to choose older aged teas.
Cold-Brewed Tea
Cold-brewed tea is tea made using cold tap water, Mineral water, or purified water at room temperature. Cold-brewing tea not only preserves the taste but also allows the internal substances within the tea to slowly release at a much slower rate under normal and low temperatures. Sweet-tasting amino acid molecules dissolve first, reducing the release of tannic acid and minimizing bitterness and astringency, thereby improving the taste of the tea. Cold-brewed tea is a new brewing method that has emerged in recent years, and many types of tea can be tried. It is the perfect choice for the scorching summer.
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