Noodle sales up on "Summer Solstice"

“Ravioli for the winter solstice and noodles for the summer solstice.” On June 21, on the summer solstice and traditional Chinese Xiazhi festival, residents enthusiastically observed the tradition of eating noodles. The sales of noodle broth in supermarkets and restaurants went up drastically. In a noodle restaurant, over 7000 bowls of cold noodles were sold on the day, 40 percent more than usual.

On June 21, customers at a large supermarket in Qingta Community bought a variety of noodles, in packs and in bulk. They also bought barley noodles that don’t need cooking. According to one shop assistant, many customers were looking for an original taste. The barley noodles, for example, sold very well. They can be eaten as cold noodles after soaking in water for a while. “We will have them for dinner today,” said Aunt Liu, a resident of Qingta Community.

On June 21, a number of time honored restaurants sold thousands of bowls of noodles, 40 percent more than normal. Over 7000 bowls of “Yanji” cold noodles were sold alone by Yanji restaurant.

“The days get shorter after eating Xiazhi noodles.” Xiazhi, the summer solstice, marks the beginning of a hot summer. According to nutrition experts, people start to change their eating habits from this day. Refreshing food low in calories, like noodles, is better for the health.

“Eat nutritious food on the summer solstice”

Statistics show that on the day of the summer solstice, direct sunlight shines on the Northern most tip of the earth, almost directly striking the Tropic of Cancer (latitude 23.27" North). It is also the longest day of the year in the Northern hemisphere, getting longer, the further North you are. Even though the day is the longest and the sun is highest in the sky, it is not the hottest day in the year.

The same as the winter solstice, the summer solstice is an important “solar term” for the people of China, who call it “Xiazhi festival”, on which they observe a tradition of eating noodles. It began in the Zhou Dynasty when ceremonies were held to pray to the gods. These went on to become “grand national ceremonies” in the Qing Dynasty. People ate Xiazhi noodles on this day, and, in some places, they prepared cakes and steamed bread with newly-harvested wheat to represent a new beginning. Among Chinese people, there is also a saying: “eat nutritious food on the summer solstice.”

Translated by LOTO