Skip to content
PANguin

Winter · from 22 Dec

Winter Solstice

冬至

Nourish the returning Yang.

Next: Minor Cold on 5 Jan — 14 days

Tailor to a constitution

Taro balls in cinnamon syrup
Winter Solstice · Tea break · Yang Deficiency

Taro balls in cinnamon syrup

Translucent taro balls in a cinnamon syrup — a small bowl that warms cold hands and feet on solstice night.

  • 20 min
  • Serves 2
  • Simmer
  • Easy
WarmingWarms yangWarms the stomach

Why it suits you: Yang-deficient types feel the solstice cold most. Cinnamon warms yang and dispels cold, and soft taro balls warm the stomach, so a bowl at night keeps hands and feet from freezing.

Method

Prep 5 min · Cook 15 min
  1. 1Simmer the cinnamon and ginger in the water for 5 minutes, then dissolve the sugar.
  2. 2Slide the taro balls straight into the barely simmering syrup — no need to thaw them.
  3. 3Cook until they float and turn translucent, about 4 minutes.
  4. 4Serve in a bowl with the cinnamon, while hot.

Cautions

  • Skip it with a dry mouth, sore throat or other heat signs.

Chef's tips

  • Frozen taro balls are fine — there is no need to make them by hand.

The TCM view

Cinnamon is pungent, sweet and hot, supporting yang and dispelling cold; taro is sweet, pungent and neutral, strengthening the spleen; ginger warms the stomach. It suits yang-deficient types as a solstice snack.

AI Recipe Studio

Want a dish made just for you?

Tell PANguin what’s in your fridge, how long you have and any health needs — it designs a recipe and saves it for you.

  • For Yang Deficiency
  • Right for Winter Solstice
  • Uses what you have
  • Nutrition + shopping list
Create my recipeAbout 20 seconds · free

Seasonal principle

The longest night. Yang energy begins to return. Eat warming, celebratory foods to welcome the light. Protect your lower back and knees from the cold. This is a crucial time to rest and conserve energy, allowing the newly born Yang Qi to grow strong.

In season now

In season around Winter Solstice: Glutinous Rice, Mutton, Radish, Chicken, Ginseng

Tap an ingredient for its nature, uses and nutrition.

Yang Deficiency

Feels the cold, with cold hands and feet

Enjoy: Fresh ginger · Lamb · Chinese chives · Walnuts and chestnuts · Longan

Go easy: Iced drinks · Cooling foods like watermelon and bitter melon · Too much green tea or herbal "cooling" tea

Not sure of your constitution?

Take the 4-minute test and meals will adjust automatically. Start

Based on traditional Chinese medicine for general wellness education — not a medical diagnosis or treatment. If symptoms persist, are severe or unusual, please see a doctor or registered Chinese medicine practitioner.