小雪：雪花灑灑 食暖不畏冬來
每逢西曆11月22或23日便迎來了中國的第二十個節氣——小雪。這個時節雪量還不足，因此稱作小雪。北方有一句諺語：“小雪雪滿天，來年必豐年”，意思是小雪時節若有雪花飄落，積雪能夠防寒潤地，凍死害蟲，這樣來年肯定是個豐收年。中國自古是農業生産大國，中國人更以勤勞著稱，即便是冬季來臨，農民們也會翻地封田，滋養土壤，準備迎接來年的農忙與豐收。
November 22nd or 23rd of the Gregorian calendar ushers in China’s twentieth solar term when everything is covered in a blanket of light snow. In the north, there is a saying, “If the light snow flies in the sky, the next year will be a good year.” Light snow can provide moisture to soil while trapping and freezing pests, which would mean a good harvest the next year. This is why Light Snow is welcomed, especially by farmers in an agrarian country like China. Chinese are known for their diligence and they prepare for the weather. Ahead of winter, farmers dig the land to nourish the soil and don’t sow until spring when the earth is primed for a rich harvest.
千百年來，小雪不僅飄進了文人墨客的詩詞歌賦裏，也浸潤到了人們的日常生活中。中國幅員遼闊、地大物博，中國人愛吃，會吃，每逢小雪飄灑時，各地的人們會用各種獨特的習俗來迎接“寒”的到來。
For hundreds of years, Light Snow has lent itself to beautiful poetry and soulful songs. It has become entrenched in daily life too. China is a vast country with a vast territory and abundant resources. Chinese people like to eat with gusto. The arrival of Light Snow heralds another set of festivities where people follow unique customs to welcome the cold.
小雪到，美酒釀。早在夏朝，中國人就開始了釀酒。小雪時節釀的酒被稱為小雪酒，此時的水最為清澈，因此釀出的酒色清味冽。寒冷的冬季飲一壺熱酒，暖身暖胃。
When Light Snow comes knocking at your door, pour out the good wine. The Chinese have been making wine as early as the Xia Dynasty. But what does snow have to do with wine? Plenty! There is a special term for wine that is brewed during the solar term of Light Snow, called “Light Snow Wine.” At this time, the water is the clearest so the wine brewed is clear and tasteful. Drink a pot of hot wine to warm your stomach in cold winter.
小雪到，臘肉腌。雪後氣溫急劇下降，天氣變得乾燥，正是加工臘肉的好時候。小雪節氣後，一些農家開始動手做香腸、臘肉，經過兩個月的等待，春節時就能享受美食了。窗外雪花灑灑，屋內臘肉香，人團圓。
When Light Snow comes knocking at your door, lay bacon on the table. After the snow, the temperature drops sharply and the weather becomes dry, which is a good time for processing bacon. After Light Snow, farmers prepare sausages and bacon. After a wait of two months, they can begin enjoying delicious food during the Spring Festival. When snow is sprinkling outside, families gather in warm home, savoring the delicious bacon and enjoying their happy reunion.
小雪到，糍粑燒。在中國南方，客家人還有著小雪吃糍粑的習俗。在古代，糍粑是農民用來祭牛神的供品，祈禱來年可以勞作順利，糧食豐收。
When light snow comes knocking at your door, take out your mittens and bake some rice cakes. In South China, Hakka people follow the tradition of eating sticky rice cakes in Light Snow. In ancient times, sticky rice cake was used for sacrificial purposes. Farmers would offer it to the God of Cattle while praying for a good harvest next year.
小雪到，幹魚曬。居住在海邊的漁民們，在小雪到來之際便陸陸續續地開始曬魚幹以儲備過冬。這時，肥美的腌制鹹魚排列，也是海邊初冬的一副生動景象。
Light Snow reminds you it’s time to dry fish. This is also a time for fishermen living by the sea to dry their fish for the winter. The arrangement of dried, salted fish is a vivid portrayal of the early winter by the sea.
小雪到，食刨湯。每到小雪前後，土家族人就會進行一年一度的“殺年豬，迎新年”民俗活動。農家用熱氣尚存的上等新鮮豬肉，精心烹飪成刨湯，邀鄰里鄉親齊聚共用，給寒冷的冬天增添了熱烈的氣氛。
Light Snow reminds you it’s time for a pork feast. Before and after the Light Snow, Tujia community carries out the annual tradition of slaying pigs and welcoming the New Year. Then farmers use their best fresh pork to cook up a pork feast. Neighbors are invited and residents gather together to have a good time.
對於美食，中國人不但要求色香味俱全，還講究食療。小雪時節，人們會選擇食用牛羊肉等食材來暖身禦寒。同時，食物不僅能夠暖身，還能“暖心”。冬季的陰鬱、蕭瑟，可能會導致人們産生抑鬱情緒，這時，中國人會選擇食用菠菜、黃豆、青菜、獼猴桃等富含葉酸的食物來緩解抑鬱。此正所謂，食暖不畏冬來。
But food for the Chinese is as therapeutic for the soul as it is for their palate. In the Light Snow solar term, people prefer to eat beef, mutton and other ingredients to keep their bodies and souls warm. A gloomy and bleak winter may lead to depression. So the Chinese prefer to eat spinach, soybean, vegetables, kiwifruit and other foods rich in folic acid to relieve symptoms of depression. Eating these so-called “warming food” helps people enjoy winter.
圖片購于視覺中國
