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1. What Cakes to Eat on Tết Đoan Ngọ?
On the 5th day of the 5th lunar month each year (also known as 'Insect Killing Day'), people engage in pest control activities to protect crops. Families set up altars to pray for a fruitful harvest and good health throughout the year.
Among the dishes on Tết Đoan Ngọ, gio cake (burnt cake) is indispensable.
Gio cake is made from glutinous rice and gio, a type of resin. Not all types of gio can be used to make this cake. The gio used must come from the gio tree's leaves, the leaves of the tamarind tree, dried sesame leaves, or mature sesame seeds.
After obtaining the right type of gio, it is dissolved in water, settled, and then soaked with glutinous rice. The yellow flower will turn the mixture into a shiny brown color, reminiscent of amber, with a distinctive fragrance that cannot be replicated. However, if there is only gio, it's not enough to create the color; sesame gio is often added.
2. Why Eat Gio Cake on Tết Đoan Ngọ?
During Tết Đoan Ngọ, people often consume rich and heavy foods like sticky rice wine, mangoes, and jackfruits. In contrast, gio cake has a cooling effect, helping to balance and regulate the body effectively, stabilizing health. In traditional medicine, gio cake's bland taste and cooling properties make it easy to digest, making it most suitable for the elderly, children, and those with chronic low-grade fever (yin deficiency). Conditions of excess yang leading to yin deficiency, such as during the summer and particularly during the first half of the fifth lunar month (transition from yang to yin), often result in heat-related illnesses. During Tết Đoan Ngọ, gio cake maximizes these properties due to the excessive consumption of rich and heavy foods, leading to indigestion. Not only does gio cake neutralize harmful substances in the diet to protect health on Tết Đoan Ngọ, but it also helps to clear heat, promote urination, and detoxify the body afterwards. Furthermore, this type of cake also nourishes yin, which is the principle of a major school of traditional health preservation in Eastern medicine. Therefore, consuming this type of cake regularly is very beneficial for health. Above are the reasons why gio cake is consumed on Tết Đoan Ngọ as well as the explanation for why gio cake is eaten on the 5th day of the 5th lunar month. Hopefully, the information in this article will be useful to you.
In traditional Vietnamese medicine, it's common to eat light, cooling foods like gio cake during Tết Đoan Ngọ. While people tend to indulge in heavy, heat-producing foods during this time, gio cake helps to balance and regulate the body, promoting overall health. Its bland taste and cooling nature make it easy to digest and particularly suitable for the elderly, children, and those with conditions related to excess heat in the body. Additionally, gio cake helps to counteract the effects of excessive consumption of rich foods, aiding in digestion and promoting detoxification. Furthermore, it aligns with the principles of nourishing yin, which is central to traditional health practices in Eastern medicine. Therefore, incorporating gio cake into your diet regularly can contribute to better health outcomes.
Gio cake is a staple during Tết Đoan Ngọ for several reasons. As people tend to indulge in rich and heavy foods during this time, gio cake provides a refreshing contrast with its light and cooling properties. According to traditional medicine, gio cake's mild flavor and cooling effects make it easy to digest, making it suitable for individuals of all ages, especially those with heat-related conditions. Moreover, gio cake helps to alleviate digestive discomfort caused by overeating and aids in detoxification. Additionally, its ability to nourish yin aligns with the principles of traditional health preservation, making it a beneficial addition to one's diet. Overall, gio cake serves as a refreshing and health-promoting treat during Tết Đoan Ngọ.
Aside from its refreshing taste, gio cake offers various health benefits that align with traditional Vietnamese medicine principles. Its cooling nature helps to balance the body's internal temperature, especially during periods of excessive heat consumption. Additionally, gio cake is easy to digest, making it suitable for individuals with weak digestion or those prone to heat-related conditions. Furthermore, gio cake's ability to nourish yin aligns with traditional health philosophies, making it a valuable addition to one's diet for promoting overall well-being. Overall, gio cake serves not only as a delicious treat but also as a healthful choice during Tết Đoan Ngọ.
Above are the insights into why gio cake is consumed during Tết Đoan Ngọ and the explanation behind eating it on the 5th day of the 5th lunar month. It is hoped that this information will be beneficial to you.
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