During the Grain Buds (xiao man) solar term, which falls between May 21 and June 5 this year, eating bitter foods is a cherished seasonal tradition in China. Stir-fried bitter gourd, paired with red chili and black fungus, offers a crisp texture and a gentle bitterness that gives way to a sweet aftertaste. Believed to help cool the body in early summer, this simple dish reflects the folk wisdom: "Eat bitterness at xiao man, and summer will feel less bitter."
