Grains Rain signifies "rain nurturing all grains." It occurs annually on April 20th or 21st when the sun reaches 30° of the ecliptic. During this season, southern regions witness "willow catkins drifting down as the cuckoo cries," with willow fluff falling, nightingales singing, peonies blooming, and cherries ripening—nature's announcement that late spring has arrived.At this time, temperatures in the south rise rapidly. By late April, average temperatures generally reach 20°C to 22°C across most regions except northern and western parts of South China, marking an increase of over 2°C from mid-April. Eastern South China often experiences one or two days with temperatures exceeding 30°C, bringing the first sensations of summer heat.
Grains Rain Customs
1. Drinking Grains Rain Tea
Legend holds that tea brewed on Grains Rain clears internal heat, wards off evil spirits, and sharpens vision. Thus, southern regions observe the custom of picking tea on this day. Regardless of weather, people gather fresh tea leaves from the mountains to drink, praying for health.
2.Tung Tree Shoots
In northern regions, eating tung tree shoots during Grain Rain is customary. Around this time, these shoots are in season, offering a rich aroma, crisp texture, and high nutritional value—as the saying goes, "Pre-rain tung shoots tender as silk." Tung shoots boost immunity, aid digestion, regulate qi, relieve diarrhea, moisturize skin, and possess antibacterial, anti-inflammatory, and antiparasitic properties.
1. Rabbit Liver and Egg Soup
Ingredients: 1-2 rabbit livers, 1-2 eggs, salt and seasonings to taste.
Method: Slice rabbit liver and marinate with cornstarch, salt, ginger, and soy sauce. Bring water to a boil in a pot, add marinated liver, then crack in eggs and stir gently. Simmer for several minutes, season to taste, and serve.
Benefits: Nourishes the liver, improves vision, clears liver heat, and relieves pain. Suitable for night blindness and red, painful eyes due to liver heat.
Rabbit liver, with its sweet, bitter, and salty taste and cold nature, enters the liver meridian. It contains protein, fat, vitamin A, calcium, phosphorus, iron, and other nutrients. Rabbit liver nourishes and clears the liver to improve vision, making it ideal for those with blurred vision, redness, or painful eyes caused by liver heat.
Goji Berry Steamed Eggs
Ingredients: 15g goji berries, 1-2 eggs.
Method: Beat eggs in a bowl until smooth. Add goji berries and a pinch of seasoning. Steam over boiling water until set.
Benefits: Nourishes liver and kidneys, improves vision. Suitable for those with liver-kidney deficiency manifesting as weak knees and lower back, impotence, premature ejaculation, nocturnal emissions, blurred vision, dizziness, or yin blood deficiency.