STORY: Dish for Dashu: scramble eggs with balsam pears
DATELINE: July 23, 2023
LENGTH: 00:02:43
LOCATION: SHANGHAI, China
CATEGORY: CULTURE
 
SHOTLIST:
1. STANDUP 1 (English): RABARIVONY LANOVAH, Student, Shanghai International Studies University
2. various of bitter melons
3. STANDUP 2 (English): RABARIVONY LANOVAH, Student, Shanghai International Studies University
4. SOUNDBITE 1 (Chinese): RABARIVONY LANOVAH, Student, Shanghai International Studies University
5. various of the student making scramble eggs with balsam pears
6. STANDUP 3 (English): RABARIVONY LANOVAH, Student, Shanghai International Studies University
7. SOUNDBITE 2 (Chinese): RABARIVONY LANOVAH, Student, Shanghai International Studies University
8. STANDUP 4 (English): RABARIVONY LANOVAH, Student, Shanghai International Studies University
 
STORYLINE:
 
STANDUP 1 (English): RABARIVONY LANOVAH, Student, Shanghai International Studies University
"Hello everyone! I am Nova. As you can see, it's really hot these days. 'Dashu' is one of the 24 solar terms in Chinese culture. When Dashu comes, the temperature is among the highest and the rain is among the most abundant in the whole year. During Dashu, Chinese people tend to eat balsam pears. So today I was invited by Xinhua News Agency to pick some balsam pears, and use them to make a dish."
 
Sunday marks the arrival of "Major Heat" or "Dashu" in Chinese, the 12th of the 24 solar terms according to the Chinese lunar calendar.
 
STANDUP 2 (English): RABARIVONY LANOVAH, Student, Shanghai International Studies University
"The Balsam pear is also known as the bitter melon. Yes, it's bitter when you taste it. I am also wondering why the bitterness fits in the hot summer. So let's go pick some and find out the answer!"
 
SOUNDBITE 1 (Chinese): RABARIVONY LANOVAH, Student, Shanghai International Studies University
"Excuse me, how do I pick bitter melons?
I'll show you. Hold the bitter melon in your hand. See the stem of the bitter melon? Cut it with scissors.
What are the benefits of eating bitter melons during dog days?
Bitter melons are a cooling food. They help to expel summer heat.
How are bitter melons usually cooked?
It is bitter in itself, but when it is cooked with other foods, the bitterness will not spoil the overall taste. It can be cooked together with most vegetables."
 
STANDUP 3 (English): RABARIVONY LANOVAH, Student, Shanghai International Studies University
"I guess that's enough. Now let's make a traditional dish called 'scrambled eggs with bitter melons'."
 
SOUNDBITE 2 (Chinese): RABARIVONY LANOVAH, Student, Shanghai International Studies University
"Mmm, it's delicious!"
 
STANDUP 4 (English): RABARIVONY LANOVAH, Student, Shanghai International Studies University
"Dashu is the hottest day in summer in ancient Chinese tradition, and also at present. Eating bitter melons helps to balance the heat, which is very interesting and practical in Chinese culture. Thank you for watching, bye!"
 
Xinhua News Agency correspondents reporting from Shanghai, China.
(XHTV)