As Minor Heat kicks off on July 7, marking the fiery peak of summer in China’s traditional calendar, we’re diving into how ancient folks stayed chill without AC. Spoiler: They were low-key geniuses! 🧠
Fans, Fragrance, and Frosty Treats 🌬️
Exhibits at Beijing Folk Custom Museum reveal their secrets: folding fans (the OG handheld coolers), mint-scented sachets, and Qing Dynasty-era ice vendors who jingled bronze cups like summer ice cream trucks! 🛎️ The crowd favorite? Xuehualao—crushed ice topped with sweet bean paste and raisins. Think ancient snow cones! 🍧
Ice for the Masses ❄️
By the Qing era, ice became affordable thanks to clever storage in underground cellars. Vendors sold chilled drinks in bustling markets, proving that beating the heat has always been a community affair. Who needs TikTok trends when you’ve got 300-year-old hacks? 😎
