奇速英语

春日挖野菜：重拾自然里的烟火与诗意

As spring comes to Beijing, Mai Dou, a 30-year-old mother, often goes to the suburbs with her child to collect wild greens such as shepherd’s purse and dandelion greens. What started as simple fun has become a family tradition. She shares her experiences on Xiaohongshu, where countless people exchange foraging routes, plant identification skills and cooking recipes. Today, picking wild “spring greens” has become a popular activity across China, attracting more and more people to parks, fields and riverbanks.

This trend reflects people’s desire to return to nature. According to experts, foraging for wild greens requires only basic tools and costs almost nothing, unlike expensive organized camping. It allows young people to slow down, feel the soil and enjoy simple natural pleasures that are easily overlooked in today’s digital world. In fact, collecting spring greens has long been part of Chinese life. In the past, villagers picked them when fresh vegetables were scarce. As one professor noted, eating seasonal greens is deeply rooted in Chinese food culture, showing our lasting bond with nature.

For many enthusiasts, the experience means more than the food itself. It is a pleasant walk in the sunshine and fresh air, a chance to enjoy time with family or friends. People cook the greens into pancakes or stir-fries, gaining great satisfaction from the whole process. However, not everyone picks greens in person; most urban residents buy Chinese toon (香椿), bamboo shoots and other seasonal vegetables from markets or online. Thanks to improved cold-chain logistics, these special spring foods are now widely available, and online searches for them have increased greatly this season.

Although spring greens are nutritious and delicious, safety is important. Experts warn that some wild plants look similar to edible ones but are actually harmful. Besides, certain greens like Chinese toon should be blanched (焯) in boiling water first to reduce bitterness and protect the stomach. This beloved spring activity not only offers tasty seasonal flavors but also helps modern people find relaxation and happiness by connecting with nature.