Start of Summer（Lixia） marks the beginning of summer in the traditional Chinese calendar.

In northern Anhui, it’s a long-held tradition to eat mung bean cake at the start of summer. Made from fresh young mung beans, it’s steamed, ground, and pressed into soft, delicate cakes—lightly sweet, with a clean, natural flavor.

Sometimes it’s served with preserved fruit or green plum, adding a gentle sweet-and-sour contrast that fits the feeling of early summer.

For locals, it’s more than a seasonal treat. It’s a small ritual of welcoming summer—eating something fresh, and wishing for a calm, steady season ahead.

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