Laba congee facts for kids
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Laba congee with nuts and dried fruits
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| Alternative names | Eight Treasure Congee |
|---|---|
| Type | Congee |
| Place of origin | China |
| Main ingredients | Many kinds of rice, beans, dried fruit, etc. |
| Variations | Variations depending on geographical regions in China |
Laba congee (simplified Chinese: 腊八粥; traditional Chinese: 臘八粥; pinyin: làbā zhōu) is a special Chinese dish. It is a type of congee, which is a thick rice porridge. People in China eat Laba congee on the eighth day of the twelfth month. This date is part of the traditional Chinese calendar.
This special day is known as the Laba Festival. The very first Laba congee was made with red beans. Over time, many different versions of this dish were created. Today, it usually contains various kinds of rice, beans, peanuts, and dried fruits. It can also have lotus seeds. In different parts of China, people might add other things. These can include tofu, potatoes, meat, or vegetables.
The Story of Laba Congee
How Laba Congee Became Popular
Laba congee has a long and interesting history in China. During the Han dynasty, people did not eat Laba congee. Instead, they used it as an offering to their Chinese gods. This was part of their religious ceremonies.
Later, during the Northern and Southern Dynasties period, the Laba Festival date was set. It was officially on the eighth day of the twelfth lunar month. By the Song Dynasty, Laba congee was eaten by many people. Not just common people, but also government officials and rich families enjoyed it.
The dish became even more popular in the Qing dynasty. Sometimes, the Laba Festival was even celebrated like the "Spring Festival". The emperor and nobles in the royal court would give Laba congee to their officials and servants. This showed how important the dish had become.
Legends About Laba Congee
There are several old stories and legends about how Laba congee began. Here are some of the most famous ones:
- Remembering a Hero: One legend says that eating Laba congee honors Yue Fei. He was a brave general from the Song Dynasty. Many people in China see him as a great patriot and a national hero.
- Staying Warm in Winter: In Northern China, winters are very cold. People started drinking Laba congee to "stick their jaws." This meant they hoped their jaws would "stay attached" to their faces. It was a fun way to talk about staying healthy and warm in the cold.
- The Emperor's Humble Meal: Another story is about Zhu Yuanzhang. He later became the Hongwu Emperor and started the Ming dynasty. Before he became emperor, he was very poor. He ate simple congee during those hard times. After he became powerful, he asked everyone to eat congee too. This was to remember his difficult past.
- Buddha's Enlightenment: One important legend connects Laba congee to Gautama Buddha. He tried to find wisdom by not eating for a long time. One day, he was very weak and hungry. A village girl saw him and thought he was a spirit. She gave him milk and rice pudding (congee). After this meal, Buddha gained enlightenment. Because of this story, Laba congee is sometimes called "Buddha congee." It helps people remember Buddha's journey to wisdom.
