

{"id":2440,"date":"2025-06-26T21:00:00","date_gmt":"2025-06-26T13:00:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.hongkongfoodietours.com\/?p=2440"},"modified":"2025-07-04T23:48:23","modified_gmt":"2025-07-04T15:48:23","slug":"what-to-eat-in-summer-traditional-chinese-medicine","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.hongkongfoodietours.com\/what-to-eat-in-summer-traditional-chinese-medicine\/","title":{"rendered":"What to Eat in Summer According to Traditional Chinese Medicine"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<p class=\"has-text-align-left\"><em>by Rachel Au<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>(Originally published in August 2020, updated in June 2025)<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-text-align-left\">Traditional Chinese Medicine stands by the practice of eating with the seasons. As the Chinese saying \u4e0d\u6642\u4e0d\u98df goes (pronounced \u201cbud si bud sik\u201d in Cantonese), foods that are not in season should not be eaten.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-text-align-left\">Eating foods that are in season have multiple benefits. Fruits and vegetables will taste better, grocery shopping will cost less, and the environment will fare better. Traditional Chinese medicine has its own arguments for eating with the seasons as well. Ancient Chinese medical practitioners found out that our dietary requirements change with the seasons, as our bodies have varying needs depending on the weather and climate.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-text-align-left\">With summer being hot in most countries, Chinese medical wisdom dictates that our diets should contain more fruits and vegetables at this time to cool our body down and provide enough fluids. If you\u2019re wondering what to eat in summer according to traditional Chinese medicine, here are ten foods to get you started.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading has-text-align-left has-text-color\" style=\"color:#ed1b2f\">1. Cooling teas<\/h2>\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-image\">\n<figure class=\"aligncenter size-large is-resized\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.hongkongfoodietours.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/07\/cooling-green-tea.jpeg\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"684\" src=\"https:\/\/www.hongkongfoodietours.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/07\/cooling-green-tea-1024x684.jpeg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-2837\" style=\"width:720px\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.hongkongfoodietours.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/07\/cooling-green-tea-1024x684.jpeg 1024w, https:\/\/www.hongkongfoodietours.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/07\/cooling-green-tea-300x200.jpeg 300w, https:\/\/www.hongkongfoodietours.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/07\/cooling-green-tea-768x513.jpeg 768w, https:\/\/www.hongkongfoodietours.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/07\/cooling-green-tea.jpeg 1200w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><\/a><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">Photo credit: <a href=\"https:\/\/www.pekoeandpetalstea.com\/\">Pekoe&amp;Petals<\/a><\/figcaption><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n<p class=\"has-text-align-left\">Though technically a drink and not a food, cooling teas such as green tea or white tea help to cool your body down by warding off summer heat and detoxifying the body. Considered <em>yin <\/em>in nature, green tea  also helps in alleviating summer ailments such as irritability.\u00a0Visit our sister company, <a href=\"http:\/\/www.pekoeandpetalstea.com\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Pekoe&amp;Petals<\/a>, to buy some amazing tea for brewing at home. The tea professionals there can recommend different teas for different seasons.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-text-align-left\">Herbal tea, a drink popular in Southern China and Hong Kong, also helps to cool your body down in summer. The Chinese name for herbal tea \u6dbc\u8336 (pronounced \u201cleung cha\u201d in Cantonese) literally means cool tea, so it\u2019s pretty self explanatory what it does! Made by brewing herbs, plants, and fruits in water, herbal tea is traditionally served in rice bowls at stores, but can also be found bottled for customers to drink on the go.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading has-text-align-left has-text-color\" style=\"color:#ed1b2f\">2. Sugarcane juice<\/h2>\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-image\">\n<figure class=\"aligncenter size-large\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"720\" height=\"480\" src=\"https:\/\/www.hongkongfoodietours.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/07\/sugarcane-juice-summer-drinks-hong-kong-2.jpg\" alt=\"sugarcane juice eat summer\" class=\"wp-image-2442\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.hongkongfoodietours.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/07\/sugarcane-juice-summer-drinks-hong-kong-2.jpg 720w, https:\/\/www.hongkongfoodietours.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/07\/sugarcane-juice-summer-drinks-hong-kong-2-300x200.jpg 300w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 720px) 100vw, 720px\" \/><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">Photo credit: <a href=\"https:\/\/pixabay.com\/users\/jmexclusives-10518280\/?utm_source=link-attribution&amp;utm_medium=referral&amp;utm_campaign=image&amp;utm_content=5388628\" target=\"_blank\" aria-label=\"undefined (opens in a new tab)\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Joseph Mucira<\/a> via <a href=\"https:\/\/pixabay.com\/?utm_source=link-attribution&amp;utm_medium=referral&amp;utm_campaign=image&amp;utm_content=5388628\" target=\"_blank\" aria-label=\"undefined (opens in a new tab)\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Pixabay<\/a><\/figcaption><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n<p class=\"has-text-align-left\">Another drink that will keep your body cool this summer is <a href=\"https:\/\/zolimacitymag.com\/inside-a-70-year-old-shop-that-makes-sugarcane-juice-the-old-fashioned-way\/\" target=\"_blank\" aria-label=\"undefined (opens in a new tab)\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">sugarcane juice<\/a>. Deliciously sweet and refreshing with a slightly grassy aftertaste, sugarcane juice is adored by kids and adults alike in Hong Kong. Stalks of sugarcane are fed into an extractor, which presses the sugarcane between two steel rollers to extract the green nectar. The juice is then served in glasses for customers to drink on the spot, or bottled for later consumption. According to traditional Chinese medicine, sugarcane juice is considered <em>yin<\/em> and helps remove excessive heat and humidity in the body. Research has also shown that sugarcane juice is rich in antioxidants, iron, magnesium and electrolytes. If you\u2019re wondering what to drink in summer, this is it!<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-text-align-left\">Want to try sugarcane juice yourself? Join our <a href=\"https:\/\/www.hongkongfoodietours.com\/tours\/central-sheung-wan-foodie-tour\/\" target=\"_blank\" aria-label=\"undefined (opens in a new tab)\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Central &amp; Sheung Wan Foodie Tour<\/a>, where we\u2019ll take you to a decades-old, family-run sugarcane juice store in Hong Kong!<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading has-text-align-left has-text-color\" style=\"color:#ed1b2f\">3. Watermelon<\/h2>\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-image\">\n<figure class=\"aligncenter size-large\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"720\" height=\"480\" src=\"https:\/\/www.hongkongfoodietours.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/07\/watermelon-summer-traditional-chinese-medicine-3.jpg\" alt=\"watermelon eat summer\" class=\"wp-image-2443\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.hongkongfoodietours.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/07\/watermelon-summer-traditional-chinese-medicine-3.jpg 720w, https:\/\/www.hongkongfoodietours.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/07\/watermelon-summer-traditional-chinese-medicine-3-300x200.jpg 300w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 720px) 100vw, 720px\" \/><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">Photo credit: <a href=\"https:\/\/unsplash.com\/@frostroomhead?utm_source=unsplash&amp;utm_medium=referral&amp;utm_content=creditCopyText\" target=\"_blank\" aria-label=\"undefined (opens in a new tab)\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Rodion Kutsaev<\/a> via <a href=\"https:\/\/unsplash.com\/s\/photos\/watermelon?utm_source=unsplash&amp;utm_medium=referral&amp;utm_content=creditCopyText\" target=\"_blank\" aria-label=\"undefined (opens in a new tab)\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Unsplash<\/a><\/figcaption><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n<p class=\"has-text-align-left\">A list of what to eat in summer wouldn\u2019t be complete without the most summery fruit of all\u2013 watermelon. The sweltering heat and stifling humidity of summer disturbs the balance of fluids and electrolytes in the body. Watermelon helps your body restore this balance with its nourishing and cooling effects. It has even been said to have calming effects, easing frustration, restlessness and worry!<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-text-align-left\">The red flesh of the fruit is what we\u2019re used to eating, but the white part of the rind actually contains the most potent properties. A mild diuretic, the white part promotes urination\u2013 an effective strategy to clear that summer heat from your body.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-text-align-left\">Few people know this, but even the seeds can be used as medicine. Boil dried watermelon seeds in water to make a tea that promotes urination and lowers high blood pressure. Using all parts of a watermelon is a fantastic way to get started on your zero waste journey for sure!<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading has-text-align-left has-text-color\" style=\"color:#ed1b2f\">4. Cucumber<\/h2>\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-image\">\n<figure class=\"aligncenter size-large\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"720\" height=\"480\" src=\"https:\/\/www.hongkongfoodietours.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/07\/cucumber-summer-foods-4.jpg\" alt=\"cucumber eat summer\" class=\"wp-image-2444\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.hongkongfoodietours.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/07\/cucumber-summer-foods-4.jpg 720w, https:\/\/www.hongkongfoodietours.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/07\/cucumber-summer-foods-4-300x200.jpg 300w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 720px) 100vw, 720px\" \/><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">Photo credit: <a href=\"https:\/\/unsplash.com\/@markuswinkler?utm_source=unsplash&amp;utm_medium=referral&amp;utm_content=creditCopyText\" target=\"_blank\" aria-label=\"undefined (opens in a new tab)\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Markus Winkler<\/a> via <a href=\"https:\/\/unsplash.com\/s\/photos\/cucumber?utm_source=unsplash&amp;utm_medium=referral&amp;utm_content=creditCopyText\" target=\"_blank\" aria-label=\"undefined (opens in a new tab)\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Unsplash<\/a><\/figcaption><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n<p class=\"has-text-align-left\">Cucumbers are at their best during their peak season, which spans the summer months of May through August. Besides tasting their best in summer, another reason to eat cucumbers over these months is that they clear summer heat and eliminate toxins according to traditional Chinese medicine. Being 95% water, eating cucumbers also replenishes our bodies with the water we\u2019ve lost in the dehydrating heat of summer.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading has-text-align-left has-text-color\" style=\"color:#ed1b2f\">5. Bitter melon<\/h2>\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-image\">\n<figure class=\"aligncenter size-large\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"720\" height=\"482\" src=\"https:\/\/www.hongkongfoodietours.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/07\/bitter-melon-traditional-chinese-medicine-5.jpg\" alt=\"bitter melon eat summer\" class=\"wp-image-2445\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.hongkongfoodietours.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/07\/bitter-melon-traditional-chinese-medicine-5.jpg 720w, https:\/\/www.hongkongfoodietours.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/07\/bitter-melon-traditional-chinese-medicine-5-300x201.jpg 300w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 720px) 100vw, 720px\" \/><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">Photo credit: <a href=\"https:\/\/pixabay.com\/users\/VitaminaMov-852074\/?utm_source=link-attribution&amp;utm_medium=referral&amp;utm_campaign=image&amp;utm_content=787674\" target=\"_blank\" aria-label=\"undefined (opens in a new tab)\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Alexandra Tianu<\/a> via <a href=\"https:\/\/pixabay.com\/?utm_source=link-attribution&amp;utm_medium=referral&amp;utm_campaign=image&amp;utm_content=787674\" target=\"_blank\" aria-label=\"undefined (opens in a new tab)\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Pixabay<\/a><\/figcaption><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n<p class=\"has-text-align-left\">You might be noticing a pattern\u2013 melons make up a large share of what to eat in summer. This is because melons come into peak season in the summer. The third melon on our list is bitter melon, also known as bitter gourd or goya. Its unique bitterness makes it quite a polarizing vegetable\u2013 you either love it or hate it. The bitterness comes from a substance called momordicin, which promotes appetite while protecting the lining of our stomach and intestines. Viewed as a cooling food in traditional Chinese medicine, bitter melons help to expel summer heat, reduce inflammation, and sharpen vision. They are also rich in vitamin C, iron, and fiber.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-text-align-left\">There are two ways to reduce the bitterness of bitter melon. One way is to rub slices of the melon with salt and let them sit for 20 minutes, which draws out its bitter juices. You can then get rid of the excess salt by rinsing and draining the slices. Another way is to parboil the bitter melon by dropping pieces or slices of it into a pot of boiling water for 5 minutes, then rinsing them in cold water to prevent them from getting too soft.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading has-text-align-left has-text-color\" style=\"color:#ed1b2f\">6. Winter melon<\/h2>\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-image\">\n<figure class=\"aligncenter size-large\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"720\" height=\"480\" src=\"https:\/\/www.hongkongfoodietours.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/07\/winter-melon-soup-summer-eat-6.jpg\" alt=\"winter melon eat summer\" class=\"wp-image-2446\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.hongkongfoodietours.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/07\/winter-melon-soup-summer-eat-6.jpg 720w, https:\/\/www.hongkongfoodietours.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/07\/winter-melon-soup-summer-eat-6-300x200.jpg 300w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 720px) 100vw, 720px\" \/><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">Photo credit: <a href=\"https:\/\/pixabay.com\/users\/gahinggahing-15339101\/?utm_source=link-attribution&amp;utm_medium=referral&amp;utm_campaign=image&amp;utm_content=4934161\" target=\"_blank\" aria-label=\"undefined (opens in a new tab)\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">gahinggahing<\/a> via <a href=\"https:\/\/pixabay.com\/?utm_source=link-attribution&amp;utm_medium=referral&amp;utm_campaign=image&amp;utm_content=4934161\" target=\"_blank\" aria-label=\"undefined (opens in a new tab)\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Pixabay<\/a><\/figcaption><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n<p class=\"has-text-align-left\">The last melon on our list, winter melon is actually commonly eaten in summer despite its name. This massive melon can grow up to 15 inches in diameter and weigh over 30 pounds! Since it is so big, it is usually sold in slices at <a href=\"https:\/\/www.hongkongfoodietours.com\/markets-in-hong-kong\/\" target=\"_blank\" aria-label=\"undefined (opens in a new tab)\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">markets<\/a> in Hong Kong. Winter melon is rarely eaten raw, and often used in nourishing soups. When cooked, it becomes soft and translucent, with a mild, refreshing flavor. The cooling nature of winter melon makes it a soothing remedy for the summer heat from a Chinese medical perspective.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-text-align-left\">Read more about winter melons and how they\u2019re served at restaurants in our <a href=\"https:\/\/www.hongkongfoodietours.com\/winter-melon-soup-in-the-summertime\/\" target=\"_blank\" aria-label=\"undefined (opens in a new tab)\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">blog<\/a>!<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading has-text-align-left has-text-color\" style=\"color:#ed1b2f\">7. Mung beans<\/h2>\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-image\">\n<figure class=\"aligncenter size-large\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"720\" height=\"480\" src=\"https:\/\/www.hongkongfoodietours.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/07\/mung-beans-tcm-7.jpg\" alt=\"mung beans eat summer\" class=\"wp-image-2447\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.hongkongfoodietours.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/07\/mung-beans-tcm-7.jpg 720w, https:\/\/www.hongkongfoodietours.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/07\/mung-beans-tcm-7-300x200.jpg 300w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 720px) 100vw, 720px\" \/><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">Photo credit: <a href=\"https:\/\/pixabay.com\/users\/PDPics-44804\/?utm_source=link-attribution&amp;utm_medium=referral&amp;utm_campaign=image&amp;utm_content=166996\" target=\"_blank\" aria-label=\"undefined (opens in a new tab)\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">PDPics<\/a> via <a href=\"https:\/\/pixabay.com\/?utm_source=link-attribution&amp;utm_medium=referral&amp;utm_campaign=image&amp;utm_content=166996\" target=\"_blank\" aria-label=\"undefined (opens in a new tab)\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Pixabay<\/a><\/figcaption><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n<p class=\"has-text-align-left\">If you\u2019re wondering what else to eat in summer, mung beans are a great choice. These tiny green-colored beans are small but mighty, packing a ton of benefits ranging from cooling and detoxifying the body to relieving rashes. While not a common ingredient in western cuisines, mung beans are often found in Chinese foods, from <em>zong zi<\/em>\u2013 sticky rice dumplings eaten on <a href=\"https:\/\/www.hongkongfoodietours.com\/tuen-ng-festival\/\" target=\"_blank\" aria-label=\"undefined (opens in a new tab)\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Tuen Ng Festival<\/a>, to mung bean sweet soup\u2013 an old-school Cantonese dessert. You can grow your own bean sprouts from them with only a damp towel and a container, or add them to stews or curries like you would with other beans.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading has-text-align-left has-text-color\" style=\"color:#ed1b2f\">8. Job\u2019s Tears<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"720\" height=\"480\" src=\"https:\/\/www.hongkongfoodietours.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/07\/jobs-tears-coix-pearl-barley-traditional-chinese-medicine.jpg\" alt=\"job's tears eat summer\" class=\"wp-image-2448\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.hongkongfoodietours.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/07\/jobs-tears-coix-pearl-barley-traditional-chinese-medicine.jpg 720w, https:\/\/www.hongkongfoodietours.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/07\/jobs-tears-coix-pearl-barley-traditional-chinese-medicine-300x200.jpg 300w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 720px) 100vw, 720px\" \/><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">Photo credit: National Institute of Korean Language via <a href=\"https:\/\/commons.wikimedia.org\/wiki\/File:Yulmu_(Coix_lacryma-jobi_var._ma-yuen).jpg\" target=\"_blank\" aria-label=\"undefined (opens in a new tab)\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Wikimedia Commons<\/a><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-text-align-left\">Also known as Chinese pearl barley and coix seed, Job\u2019s Tears is a nutty, earthy, slightly chewy grain commonly used in soups and drinks in many Asian countries. In traditional Chinese medicine, Job\u2019s Tears is thought to have cooling and diuretic properties, helping to reduce inflammation and heat in the body, which often accumulates over the summer.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-text-align-left\">Job\u2019s Tears tends to be hard to come by in western countries, but Bon App\u00e9tit magazine <a href=\"https:\/\/www.bonappetit.com\/entertaining-style\/trends-news\/article\/jobs-tears-grain-recipes\" target=\"_blank\" aria-label=\"undefined (opens in a new tab)\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">has reported that<\/a> Job\u2019s Tears are actually picking up steam across the United States lately, with a few discerning cooks adding these seemingly-obscure grains to their menus.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading has-text-align-left has-text-color\" style=\"color:#ed1b2f\">9. Lotus root<\/h2>\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-image\">\n<figure class=\"aligncenter size-large\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"720\" height=\"481\" src=\"https:\/\/www.hongkongfoodietours.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/07\/lotus-root-chinese-medicine-8.jpg\" alt=\"lotus root eat summer\" class=\"wp-image-2449\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.hongkongfoodietours.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/07\/lotus-root-chinese-medicine-8.jpg 720w, https:\/\/www.hongkongfoodietours.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/07\/lotus-root-chinese-medicine-8-300x200.jpg 300w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 720px) 100vw, 720px\" \/><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">Photo credit: <a href=\"https:\/\/pixabay.com\/users\/DannaCZ-15521787\/?utm_source=link-attribution&amp;utm_medium=referral&amp;utm_campaign=image&amp;utm_content=5106174\" target=\"_blank\" aria-label=\"undefined (opens in a new tab)\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Danna Shu<\/a> via <a href=\"https:\/\/pixabay.com\/?utm_source=link-attribution&amp;utm_medium=referral&amp;utm_campaign=image&amp;utm_content=5106174\" target=\"_blank\" aria-label=\"undefined (opens in a new tab)\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Pixabay<\/a><\/figcaption><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n<p class=\"has-text-align-left\">Depending on how it is prepared, lotus root can offer different health benefits. When eaten raw, such as in salads or pressed into juice, lotus root is considered cooling and helps to get rid of excess heat in the body. When cooked, the root becomes warm in nature, and strengthens the spleen and the stomach. This is especially helpful since people tend to eat lots of icy food in the summer, which can weaken the spleen and the stomach.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading has-text-align-left has-text-color\" style=\"color:#ed1b2f\">10. Tomato<\/h2>\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-image\">\n<figure class=\"aligncenter size-large\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"720\" height=\"491\" src=\"https:\/\/www.hongkongfoodietours.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/07\/tomato-eat-summer-10.jpg\" alt=\"tomatoes eat summer\" class=\"wp-image-2450\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.hongkongfoodietours.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/07\/tomato-eat-summer-10.jpg 720w, https:\/\/www.hongkongfoodietours.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/07\/tomato-eat-summer-10-300x205.jpg 300w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 720px) 100vw, 720px\" \/><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">Photo credit: <a href=\"https:\/\/unsplash.com\/@studio500gram?utm_source=unsplash&amp;utm_medium=referral&amp;utm_content=creditCopyText\" target=\"_blank\" aria-label=\"undefined (opens in a new tab)\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Ewa Fournier le Ray<\/a> via <a href=\"https:\/\/unsplash.com\/s\/photos\/tomatoes?utm_source=unsplash&amp;utm_medium=referral&amp;utm_content=creditCopyText\" target=\"_blank\" aria-label=\"undefined (opens in a new tab)\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Unsplash<\/a><\/figcaption><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n<p class=\"has-text-align-left\">Rounding off our list of what to eat in summer is the mighty tomato. Chock-full of antioxidants, vitamin C and potassium, this miracle fruit is also highly regarded in traditional Chinese medicine. Tomatoes are considered cooling in nature, helping to repel summer heat in the body, while aiding digestion and detoxification. What\u2019s more is that tomatoes are at their peak in summer, meaning that you will be getting the most flavor and nutrition out of them.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-text-align-left\">Have more ideas on what to eat in summer? Let us know by leaving a comment below!<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-text-align-left\"><em>Featured image by <a aria-label=\"undefined (opens in a new tab)\" href=\"https:\/\/pixabay.com\/users\/kian2018-9392571\/?utm_source=link-attribution&amp;utm_medium=referral&amp;utm_campaign=image&amp;utm_content=3666268\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">kian2018<\/a> from <a aria-label=\"undefined (opens in a new tab)\" href=\"https:\/\/pixabay.com\/?utm_source=link-attribution&amp;utm_medium=referral&amp;utm_campaign=image&amp;utm_content=3666268\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Pixabay<\/a>.<\/em><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>by Rachel Au (Originally published in August 2020, updated in June 2025) Traditional Chinese Medicine stands by the practice of eating with the seasons. As the Chinese saying \u4e0d\u6642\u4e0d\u98df goes (pronounced \u201cbud si bud sik\u201d in Cantonese), foods that are not in season should not be eaten. Eating foods that are in season have multiple [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":8,"featured_media":2451,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[8,23,38],"tags":[93,95,94],"class_list":["post-2440","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-blog","category-chinese-food-ingredient","category-hong-kong-food","tag-chinese-medicine","tag-summer","tag-summer-food"],"acf":[],"yoast_head":"<!-- This site is optimized with the Yoast SEO plugin v26.8 - https:\/\/yoast.com\/product\/yoast-seo-wordpress\/ -->\n<title>What to Eat in Summer According to Traditional Chinese Medicine<\/title>\n<meta name=\"description\" content=\"Traditional Chinese medicine stands by the practice of eating with the seasons. Wondering what to eat in summer according to TCM? 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