Days of snowy weather heave helped to clean up Beijing’s polluted skies while coating the city in a layer of white snow and ice. This issue of Beijing Today picks out four type of foods for the beautiful snowy weather.

Vegetable: Lotus Root

The crunchy, delicate flavored lotus root is a popular vegetable. Almost every part of the lotus plant can be used in cuisine, but the root is the most commonly served. Lotus-based dishes have been popular in Chinese and Japanese cultures for centuries.

Winter is the right season for eating lotus root. It is said that eating more lotus root can reduce winter dryness and help hydrate the body. The vegetable can improve digestion, reduce cholesterol, lower blood pressure, boost the immune system, prevent various forms of cancer, balance one’s mood and relieve depression.

Lotus roots contain a large amount of carbohydrates, proteins and different vitamins. The dietary fiber the vegetable contains can also help cure constipation. Lotus root is best cooked with wood ear and snow fungus.

Dish: Hotpot

Nothing beats the happiness of watching steamy air rise over a hot pot. Hotpot, called huoguo in Chinese, originated in Mongolia more than 1000 years ago.

Many varieties of hotpot exist, and each region of China has its own method and ingredients. Traditionally, people gather and eat around one large pot placed in the center of a table. This circular formation symbolizes unity and good luck for the whole family.

Although hotpot is known for its high calories, there are ways to keep your intake under control. When choosing the soup for the hotpot, stick to the less-spicy one because spicy broth may cause an imbalance in one’s body. In addition, the selected meat should be paired with vegetables.

Drink: Huang Jiu

(Yellow Wine)

Huangjiu is one of the oldest drinks. Unlike other types of alcohols, it contains 18 different kinds of amino acids. The wine is said to improve the immune system, and Chinese medicine claims it is good for the stomach and spleen. Yellow wine is best served warm, between 35 °C to 45 °C.

It’s also recommended that you add dark plump into your yellow wine.

Source: beijingtoday.com.cn