冬至特輯 Part 1
奇幻詭譎的2021剩下10多天，伴隨一會像盛夏，一會似寒冬的冬季，冬至也悄然而來。雖然未知今年是否會朔風寒冽撲冬梅，不過這湯圓還是絕不能少的。今天我們就一起「眼」嚐這花團錦簇的湯圓們吧
[冬至由來] [The origin of Winter Solstice/Dongzhi]
冬至的英文是Winter Solstice。Solstice的意思是太陽最距離赤道最遠的時候，這時候我們會有最長的白晝或黑夜。由於冬至是我們的二十四節氣[24 terms]之一，也可以直接音譯為Dongzhi。
古人認為冬至過後，白晝一天比一天長，陽氣回升，是一個新的循環的開始。這是個吉日，應該慶祝。
People in ancient time thought the daytime is getting longer and longer after winter solstice. That means the “Yang Qui” starts to get back, and it’s the starting point of a new circle. Therefore, this day should be celebrated.
[湯圓][Tangyuan]
現在人們會吃湯圓慶祝冬至，因為湯圓象徵團圓
Nowadays, people eat tangyuan to celebrate winter solstice
because Tangyuan symbolizes reunion.
同時，冬至吃湯圓也代表又長了一歲。
It also means growing a year older.
所以別吃太多湯圓唷。
So don’t have too much tangyuan.
[不然會一夜老了好幾十歲，哈哈]
[Kinds of Tangyuan] [湯圓的種類]
[傳統湯圓][Traditional Tangyuan]
傳統湯圓是指紅、白色的無餡小湯圓[unfilled tangyuan]
[甜湯圓][Sweet Tangyuan]
芝麻湯圓[sesame tangyuan]
花生湯圓[peanut tangyuan]
紅豆湯圓[red bean tangyuan]
抹茶小湯圓[macha tangyuan]
炸湯圓[fried tangyuan]
[鹹湯圓][Savory Tangyuan]
鹹湯圓的湯料有蝦仁、香菇和肉絲等。
Shrimp, mushrooms and shredded pork are often put in the soup of savory tangyuan.