I. What You Should Know About White Dew

White Dew, the fifteenth solar term in the traditional Chinese calendar and the third solar term of autumn, arrives each year between September 7th and 9th on the Gregorian calendar, when the sun reaches 165 degrees of the ecliptic. At this time, the weather turns cooler, and the temperature difference between day and night widens. In the early morning, dewdrops appear on the ground and leaves, sparkling pure and white in the morning light—hence the name “White Dew.” Proverbs like “White Dew and Autumn Equinox nights grow colder by the night” vividly capture the characteristic of gradually dropping temperatures.

II. The Marvelous Scenes of the Three Phases of White Dew

Ancient Chinese divided White Dew into three phases: “First phase: wild geese arrive; second phase: swallows return; third phase: birds gather food for winter.” Following White Dew, migratory birds—most sensitive to climate shifts—embark on collective journeys. As the folk saying goes: “White Dew brings autumn winds at night, geese fly south in formation.” The migration of geese and other birds seems to compose a moving symphony for autumn, while also reminding people of the changing seasons.

III. Folk Customs and Delicacies of White Dew

1. Gathering Pure Dew: A folk custom involves collecting dewdrops on White Dew Day. At dawn, people use plates to gather dew from leaves or petals, using it to brew medicinal decoctions or tea, hoping to prolong life.

2. Drinking White Dew Tea: A folk saying goes, “Spring tea is bitter, summer tea is astringent; for tea, seek autumn's White Dew.” Tea leaves picked during White Dew, having endured summer's heat, reach their prime growth stage at this time. They possess a unique sweetness and refreshing fragrance, making them highly prized by tea connoisseurs.

3. Eating Longan: In Fuzhou, Fujian, there's a tradition of “must eat longan on White Dew.” Longan harvested before White Dew is large, sweet, and delicious. Eating it on this day is believed to have extraordinary health benefits and symbolizes people's wishes for a better life.

4. Brewing White Dew Wine: In ancient times, people in the Suzhou-Zhejiang region had a custom of brewing wine from glutinous rice, sorghum, and other grains during the White Dew season. The resulting wine, known as “White Dew Rice Wine,” boasts a sweet flavor and rich rice aroma, often served to welcome guests.