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PANguin

Winter · from 5 Jan

Minor Cold

小寒

Warm Spleen and Kidneys, dispel cold.

Next: Major Cold on 20 Jan — 15 days

Tailor to a constitution

Chestnut and longan porridge
Minor Cold · Breakfast · Qi Deficiency

Chestnut and longan porridge

Creamy oats with chestnuts and longan — sweet, warming and easy when you wake up tired in the cold.

  • 22 min
  • Serves 2
  • Simmer
  • Easy
WarmingSupports qiWarms the stomach

Why it suits you: Qi-deficient types wake tired and without an appetite at Minor Cold. Chestnuts support the spleen, longan builds qi and blood, and soft oats are easy to digest — a sweet bowl before you head out.

Method

Prep 10 min · Cook 12 min
  1. 1Halve the chestnuts and rinse the longan.
  2. 2Bring the water to the boil, add the oats and chestnuts and cook for 8 minutes, stirring so it does not clump.
  3. 3Add the longan and sugar and cook for 2 more minutes.
  4. 4Bowl it up and eat it hot.

Cautions

  • Use less sugar if you prefer it plainer.

Chef's tips

  • Stir the oats into boiling water so they stay smooth.

The TCM view

Chestnuts are sweet and warm, strengthening the spleen and kidneys; longan is sweet and warm, supporting qi and blood; oats are sweet and neutral. It suits qi-deficient types on a Minor Cold morning.

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Seasonal principle

One of the coldest periods. Focus on warming the Kidneys and strengthening the Spleen to maintain energy. Consume hearty, mixed-grain porridges (like Laba congee) to provide sustained warmth and nutrition. Avoid cold drinks and raw foods entirely during this deep freeze.

In season now

In season around Minor Cold: Glutinous Rice, Red Bean, Peanut, Chestnut, Pork Ribs

Tap an ingredient for its nature, uses and nutrition.

Qi Deficiency

Low energy, tires easily and catches colds

Enjoy: Chinese yam · Millet and pumpkin · Red dates · Chicken and beef · Shiitake and soybeans

Go easy: Raw, cold food and iced drinks · Crash dieting · Greasy, heavy meals

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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.