Seven refreshing Chinese summer desserts to try in the heat

Today marks Major Heat (Dashu), the last solar term of summer in the traditional Chinese calendar and the beginning of the hottest stretch of the year. As temperatures soar across the country, people turn to refreshing treats that go best with heat waves. Made with seasonal fruits, beans, herbs and other natural ingredients, these regional specialties have been helping generations stay cool through China's sweltering summers.

Beijing's sour plum drink: Timeless summer taste

Few drinks capture the spirit of a Beijing summer quite like a chilled glass of sour plum drink. A beloved hutong tradition for generations, this beverage is slowly simmered using a time-honored recipe before being served ice-cold. Richly sweet and pleasantly sour, it's infused with a delicate hint of osmanthus blossoms, leaving a lingering floral finish that makes every sip irresistible on a scorching day.

Sichuan's lianggao: The perfect treat after spicy heavy food

After a fiery hotpot or sizzling barbecue, Sichuan locals know exactly what to reach for: lianggao, or chilled rice jelly. Made by slowly cooking rice into a pudding-like cake, lianggao is soft, bouncy and smooth. With a drizzle of traditional brown sugar syrup on the top, this lightly sweet dessert is the perfect antidote to the hot weather and Sichuan’s signature hot food. One bite is enough to soothe your palate.

Tianjin's shaved ice: More toppings than ice

In north China's Tianjin, the secret to a great bowl of shaved ice isn't the fruit but the toppings. A generous mound of finely shaved ice is buried beneath spoonfuls of hawthorn berries, dried apricots, sweetened beans, preserved fruit and rich homemade fruit syrups. In fact, there's often almost as much topping as there is ice, creating a colorful, sweet-and-tangy dessert packed with layers of flavor and texture. One spoonful quickly leads to another.

Suzhou's mung bean soup: A colorful classic

Unlike typical mung bean soup, or lyudoutang, east China's Suzhou gives this classic summer favorite a vibrant makeover. With cooked mung beans in the bottom, the dish is well blended with sticky rice, candied dates, sweet candy, red beans and colorful strips of preserved citrus peel. Finished with mint-flavored water, the soup looks just as beautiful as it tastes.

Gansu's apricot peel drink: Sunshine bottled in the glass

In Dunhuang of northwest China's Gansu Province, nothing captures summer quite like a chilled glass of apricot peel drink. Locals dry ripe apricot skins under the sun before simmering them into a fragrant brew. After straining, add a touch of rock sugar and let it sit in the fridge for a couple hours. Voilà! A sweet and sour cold drink is right in your hand!

Fujian's four-fruit soup: A bowlful of summer

Despite its name, Four Fruits Soup rarely stops at just four ingredients. Served over crushed ice and sweet syrup, each bowl is filled with chewy taro balls, fresh seasonal fruit, crystal-clear sea jelly and other colorful toppings. Every bite is cool, fruity and wonderfully refreshing – a taste that many people in Fujian instantly associate with childhood summers.

Guangdong's cold herbal tea: Nature's answer to the heat

Don't let the name fool you. Guangdong's famous herbal tea is neither traditional tea nor necessarily served cold. Instead, it's a herbal infusion brewed from a blend of medicinal plants. For generations, locals have relied on it to cope with the region's long, humid summers. In traditional Chinese medicine, it's believed to help "clear internal heat" in your body, making it a beloved summer staple for many Cantonese.