The traditional Chinese lunar calendar divides the year into 24 solar terms. Cold Dew, the 17th solar term of the year, falls on Oct 8 this year. At this time, temperatures are much lower than during White Dew in most areas of China and the dew will condense into frost.

Cold Dew is the season for eating pomegranates, drinking chrysanthemum wine and fishing.

Season for Eating Pomegranates
Pomegranates are ripe during Cold Dew. Pomegranates have been cherished for their exquisite beauty, flavor, color, and health benefits for centuries.

Season for Drinking Chrysanthemum Wine
Chrysanthemum is the iconic flower of Cold Dew. To prevent autumn dryness, many regions in China form the custom of drinking chrysanthemum wine. According to ancient records, drinking the wine made with chrysanthemums, Poria cocos and pine oleoresin has the effort of prolonging life.

Season for Fishing
People always say that fishing in shallow water in autumn and it does make sense. That’s because during the Cold Dew period, temperatures decrease quickly, and sunshine cannot reach the deep water thoroughly. Fish all swim to shallow water areas where the water temperature is relatively high.

(By Yang Jiming/Qi Qian)