Gutian Momo

Gutian Momo

　　The Beginning of Summer is an important solar term. On this day, the sun reaches 45 degrees of celestial longitude, which the ancients regarded as the start of summer. After the Beginning of Summer, temperatures rise noticeably, hot weather approaches, thunderstorms become more frequent, and crop growth enters its peak season. This solar term gave rise to various folk customs as early as 3,000 years ago, such as “egg-fighting” and “weighing people.” In our county, people are accustomed to eating “Momo” and “Summer Cakes” to mark the occasion. According to folklore, eating bamboo shoots on this day will make your waist and legs as tough and sturdy as the shoots themselves.

　　 The Beginning of Summer, commonly known as “Jiao Xia” (the transition into summer), marks the shift into the hot and sweltering season, and agricultural work enters the busy phase of summer harvesting and planting. On this day, every household in Gutian grinds rice into paste to steam Momo, shaping them into ovals or cylinders. In the local dialect, these are called Momo, and some are filled with fresh mixed bamboo shoots or dried shredded bamboo shoots along with seasonings. In Gutian, people also eat dishes cooked with red yeast rice on this day, such as red yeast pork, red yeast snails, and red yeast bamboo shoots.