10 things you may not know about White Dew

The traditional Chinese lunar calendar divides the year into 24 solar terms. White Dew, (Chinese: 白露), the 15th solar term of the year, begins this year on Sept 8 and ends on Sept 23.

White Dew indicates the real beginning of cool autumn. The temperature declines gradually and the vapors in the air often condense into white dew on the grass and trees at night.

Here are 10 things you should know about White Dew.

Touring during Sept

Varying by geographical location, autumn comes earlier in the west and northeast of China. Right now Kanas in Xinjiang, Jiuzhaigou in Sichuan and the Greater Hinggan Mountains in Northeastern China are entering the most beautiful season of the year. Forests in gorgeous colors and minority groups with their diversity of cultural styles have attracted a huge number of visitors.

More white dews

From the first day of the White Dew on, there are more and more dews. Although sunshine in the day is still hot, after sunset, temperatures decrease rapidly. At night, water vapors in the air turn into small water-drops when it encounters cold temperatures. These white water-drops adhere to flowers, grass and trees. When the morning comes, sunshine makes them look crystal clear, spotless white and adorable.

Eating grapes

The White Dew season is just the time when grapes become widely available for sale. Eating grapes in autumn can help dispel one's internal heat and expel toxins.

Eating Longan

Longan around White Dew is big, sweet and tastes great. There is a tradition in Fuzhou, Fujian province, that eating longan on the first day of White Dew can help nourish the human body. It is said that one longan is as nutritious as an egg. Although this sounds exaggerated, Longan does reinforce the spleen, nourish the blood, calm the nerves and improve one's looks.

White Dew Tea

Many regular tea drinkers in Nanjing favor White Dew Tea. Tea during White Dew has gone through the hot summer and is in its best state of growth.

White Dew Tea is different from spring tea, which is usually too tender and doesn't last long. It is also different from summer tea, which is dry and has a bitter flavor. White Dew Tea instead tastes sweet with its sweet fragrance.