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Read More →Great Cold (Dahan) food can mean a documented local dish or an ordinary late-winter meal. Glutinous rice is associated with Dahan in accounts of Guangdong custom; a soup served at home is a personal meal choice, not proof of a universal tradition.
Dahan in the calendar
Dahan is the twenty-fourth term, at solar longitude 300°. It falls on 20 January in the Hong Kong Observatory’s 2026 calendar, in Hong Kong time (UTC+8). The next term is Beginning of Spring. These are traditional Northern Hemisphere seasonal markers, not a forecast for every location.
Source: Hong Kong Observatory: The 24 Solar Terms; Hong Kong Observatory: 2026 calendar.
The Guangdong glutinous rice example
The Dahan customs page on 12371.cn describes Guangdong glutinous rice with preserved meats, dried seafood and mushrooms. This supports a named regional food example. It does not establish one recipe for all Guangdong households.
Source: 12371.cn: Great Cold customs.
What the ingredient changes
Glutinous rice is used for its sticky texture. A rice cake and a savory rice bowl are different preparations, even if both use it. The ingredient illustration shows rice grains and a cake for comparison; it is not an exact reconstruction of the Guangdong dish. A fresh vegetable and tofu soup can accompany a home meal without being called an ancient Dahan requirement.
A personal seasonal table
Choose a dish your household already knows how to prepare, record its name and ingredients, and say whether it comes from family practice or a published regional account. Do not add medicinal ingredients or make treatment claims to give the meal a seasonal label. Lunar New Year food planning also requires the actual lunar holiday date; it is not fixed to Dahan.
Further reading
- 24 solar terms
- 24 solar terms calendar 2026
- chinese seasonal food calendar
- External cultural reference
Sources
- Hong Kong Observatory: The 24 Solar Terms
- Hong Kong Observatory: 2026 calendar
- 12371.cn: Great Cold customs
Frequently Asked Questions
What food is associated with Great Cold in Guangdong?
The customs account describes glutinous rice with preserved meats, dried seafood and mushrooms in Guangdong. Recipes vary.
Is a rice cake the same as that savory rice dish?
No. They may share an ingredient but have different preparation and serving forms.
Must a Dahan meal provide a health effect?
No. This article describes culture and food choices and makes no medical benefit claim.
