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Teacher Joseph's Podcast

大家好，今天我们来聊聊元宵节必不可少的美食 - 元宵，又称“汤圆”。“元宵”的叫法主要流行于北方地区，南方地区较多称为“汤圆”。虽然它们外皮都是用糯米粉做的，且外形相似都为圆形，但制作方法和口感却各有千秋。北方的元宵是用干粉“滚”出来的，而南方的汤圆则是用湿粉“包”出来的。二者内里的馅料也各具特色，元宵多为甜馅，汤圆则有甜、咸、荤、素馅的不同选择。甜馅包含枣泥、豆沙、芝麻、花生甚至是水果口味。咸馅为猪肉馅。无论哪一种，都是美味无比的。吃元宵象征着团团圆圆，和和美美。
Today we’re talking about yuanxiao—the essential Lantern Festival delicacy, also known as tangyuan.
“Yuanxiao” is the name commonly used in northern China, while “tangyuan” is preferred in the south. Though both are made from glutinous rice flour and shaped into round balls symbolizing unity, they differ in preparation and texture: northern yuanxiao are made by rolling solid sweet fillings in dry rice flour until a coating forms, giving them a slightly chewy, rustic bite, whereas southern tangyuan are crafted by wrapping moist rice dough around the filling by hand, resulting in a smoother, softer texture. 
Their fillings also reflect regional tastes—yuanxiao are typically sweet, filled with red bean paste, black sesame, peanut, jujube (date) paste, or even fruit flavors, while tangyuan come in a wider variety including sweet, savory, meat (like minced pork), and vegetarian options. No matter the type, they’re all delicious—and eating these round treats symbolizes family reunion, harmony, and a happy, whole life.


天灵灵地灵灵来了Abracadabra’s coming 

元宵 Yuanxiao

大家好，今天我们来聊聊这个灯笼高挂、谜语飘香的节日——元宵节。
元宵节，又称为上元节, 时间为每年农历正月十五 ，是新年第一个月圆之夜。这天大家会出门赏月、赏花灯、猜灯谜、还能吃元宵。其中最受欢迎的莫过于赏花灯和猜灯谜了。街头巷尾，各式各样的灯笼争奇斗艳，有的像盛开的莲花，有的像活蹦乱跳的小兔子，还有的像龙飞凤舞，热闹非凡。而猜灯谜则是智慧的较量，漂亮的灯笼上会贴上各种谜语，这些谜语往往巧妙诙谐，猜中谜语还会有奖品，趣味十足。
Hi everyone! Today we’re talking about the festival of glowing lanterns and riddles in the air—Lantern Festival!
Also known as Shangyuan Festival, it falls on the 15th day of the first lunar month, marking the first full moon of the new year.
On this night, people go out to admire the moon, enjoy colorful lantern displays, solve lantern riddles, and eat yuanxiao (sweet glutinous rice balls).
The most popular activities? Lantern viewing and riddle guessing!
Streets and alleys light up with dazzling lanterns of all shapes and sizes—some bloom like lotus flowers, others hop like playful rabbits, and some soar like dragons and phoenixes dancing through the sky. The whole scene is bursting with joy and energy!
As for lantern riddles: they’re a fun test of wit! Riddles are pasted onto beautiful lanterns—clever, witty, and often full of wordplay. If you solve one, you might even win a little prize! It’s festive, brain-teasing fun for all ages.


元宵节 The Lantern Festival

今天我们要聊一个特别有趣的中国节气——立春！
你知道吗？在中国，春天不是从日历开始的，而是从“立春”开始的！立春通常在2月3日到5日之间，是二十四节气里的第一个。
古人怎么庆祝立春呢？他们会穿上漂亮衣服，走上街头，大声喊：“春来了！春来了！”，这叫“报春”。 还有人们抬着一只用泥做的“春牛”游行。游行后，用小棍子把春牛打碎，再把泥土带回家——这叫“打春牛”。他们相信，这样做，今年庄稼就会长得特别好！
立春还有一个超好吃的习俗，叫“咬春”！人们会吃春饼或春卷。把萝卜、豆芽、韭菜、生菜……还有肉丝，统统包进薄薄的饼里，卷起来，咬一大口——又香又脆！好像真的把春天吃进肚子里啦！
立春不仅是春天的开端，更是一个寄托着希望和美好愿望的节气。别忘了在立春这天，和家人一起吃春饼，为新的一年讨个好彩头！
Today, we’re talking about a super fun Chinese solar term—Lichun, or “Start of Spring”!
Did you know? In China, spring doesn’t begin on the calendar—it begins with Lichun!
It usually falls between February 3rd and 5th, and it’s the very first of China’s 24 solar terms.
So how did ancient people celebrate Lichun?
They’d dress in their finest clothes, head out into the streets, and shout joyfully:
“Spring is here! Spring is here!”
This was called “Baochun”—“Announcing Spring”!
They also held parades with a clay ox called the “Spring Ox.” After the parade, people would gently hit the ox with sticks until it broke apart. Then they’d take the clay home with them—a ritual known as “Beating the Spring Ox.”
They believed this would bring a bountiful harvest that year!
And here’s the tastiest part: Lichun comes with a delicious custom called “Biting Spring”!
People eat spring pancakes or spring rolls. They wrap thin pancakes around fresh ingredients like radish, bean sprouts, leeks, lettuce… and even shredded meat, roll them up, and take a big crunchy bite—so fragrant and crisp!
It really feels like you’re eating spring itself!
Lichun isn’t just the start of a new season—it’s a time full of hope, renewal, and good wishes for the year ahead.
So don’t forget: on Lichun, gather your family, share some spring pancakes, and welcome the new year with a lucky bite of spring!

立春 Lichun / “Start of Spring”

大家好！今天我们要聊一聊中国传统节气小寒。小寒是中国二十四节气中的第二十三个节气，每年在公历的1月5日至7日之间准时登场。在这个时候，北方的雪花开始飘落。不过小寒时节，虽寒犹美。这个时节，梅花凌寒盛开，民间有小寒赏梅的习俗。而在北方，平均气温低于冰点，河面结冰厚实，十分适合冰雪运动。当然，到了小寒，吃的可是重头戏！围炉煮酒，羊肉汤轮番上阵，真是让人暖心又暖胃。
Hi everyone! Today, we’re talking about Minor Cold—one of China’s traditional solar terms.
Minor Cold is the 23rd of the 24 solar terms, arriving right on schedule between January 5th and 7th each year.
At this time, snowflakes begin to fall in northern China.But even in the chill, there’s beauty! This is when plum blossoms brave the cold and bloom proudly. It’s a beloved custom to admire plum blossoms during Minor Cold.
In the north, temperatures stay well below freezing, and rivers freeze thick enough for skating and sledding—perfect for winter fun! 
And of course… food steals the show at Minor Cold!
Nothing beats gathering around the stove, sipping warm wine, and savoring bowl after bowl of rich lamb soup—warming both heart and stomach!
Bonjour à tous ! Aujourd’hui, parlons de Xiaohan — « le Petit Froid » —, l’un des vingt-quatre termes solaires de la tradition chinoise. Xiaohan est le 23e terme solaire, et il arrive ponctuellement entre le 5 et le 7 janvier chaque année.
À cette époque, les flocons de neige commencent à tomber dans le nord de la Chine. 
Pourtant, même dans le froid, la beauté rayonne ! C’est maintenant que les fleurs de prunier osent éclore sous la neige. Une jolie coutume veut qu’on les admire à Xiaohan.
Au nord, les températures restent bien en dessous de zéro, et les rivières gèlent assez solidement pour patiner ou faire du traîneau — idéal pour s’amuser en hiver ! 
Et bien sûr… la nourriture est la vedette de Xiaohan !
Rien de mieux que de se rassembler autour du poêle, boire un vin chaud, et déguster une soupe d’agneau bien corsée — réchauffant à la fois le cœur et l’estomac !

小寒 Minor Cold

大家好！今天我们要聊一聊中国传统节日腊八节。
腊八节是在每年农历腊月初八，是个充满传统韵味的节日。腊八可以追溯到古代，最初是农民们欢庆丰收、感谢祖先和神灵的祭祀仪式。因在十二月举行，所以被称为腊月，腊祭这一天则称为腊日。腊日最终确定为初八这天，也被称为腊八节。而“腊八节喝腊八粥”的习俗，正是源于佛教。寺院的僧人们会在这一天给大家发“佛粥”，传递吉祥的祝福。年复一年，这个传统如今已经深入人心。 那么，腊八粥到底是什么样的呢？主要材料有大米、小米、红豆、绿豆、花生、枣、栗子等，丰富得像一场食材的盛宴。大家把这些食材提前浸泡，然后慢慢炖煮，出锅时再撒上一些坚果，香气扑鼻，简直让人忍不住想立刻品尝！而且，南北方的腊八粥各有特色，南方的可能偏咸，北方的则偏甜，真是各有千秋。 腊八粥中的每一种配料都有着美好的寓意。比如，桂圆象征“富贵团圆”，百合寓意“百事和睦”，而红枣和花生则代表“早生贵子”。这些美妙的寓意和美食的味道交融在一起，真是让人忍不住想要一口接着一口，吃出幸福的感觉。
Hi everyone! Today, we’re talking about a beloved Chinese traditional festival—Laba Festival! 
Laba Festival falls on the 8th day of the 12th lunar month—a time brimming with tradition and warmth. Its roots go way back to ancient times, when farmers held year-end rituals to celebrate the harvest and give thanks to their ancestors and the gods. Since it took place in the 12th month—the “Làyuè” or “Preserved Month”—the ritual day itself was called “Làrì” (Laba Day).
Laba Day was permanently fixed on the 8th, becoming what we now call Laba Festival.
And the custom of drinking Laba congee? That comes straight from Buddhism! On this day, monks in temples would prepare and hand out “Buddha’s porridge” to the public as a blessing for good fortune. Year after year, this act of kindness became a national tradition.So what exactly is Laba congee? The base usually includes rice, millet, red beans, mung beans, peanuts, jujubes (Chinese dates), chestnuts, and more—like a feast of grains and treasures!
You soak all the ingredients overnight, then simmer them slowly until thick and fragrant. Just before serving, sprinkle on some chopped nuts—and the aroma alone will make your mouth water!
Fun fact: Northern Laba congee is often sweet, while Southern versions lean savory—both delicious in their own way!
And every ingredient carries a wish:
Longan = “prosperity and family reunion”
Lily bulbs = “harmony in all things”
Jujubes and peanuts = “may you soon welcome a precious child!”
With such sweet blessings in every spoonful, who wouldn’t want seconds?
