1. Eating watermelon. In the south, there is a custom of "eating autumn melons at the beginning of autumn". Eat more watermelons on this day of autumn to prevent autumn dryness, which has become a custom over time. "Capital Chronicles" published during the Republic of China records: "On the day before the beginning of autumn, eating watermelon is called eating autumn." It also means to welcome the arrival of autumn.

2. Eat autumn peaches. At the beginning of autumn, both adults and children eat autumn peaches, one for each person, and keep the core after eating. On New Year's Eve, the peach stones are thrown into the stove and burned to ashes. People think that this can avoid the plague for a year.

3. Dumplings. Of course, at the beginning of autumn, you must "grab autumn fat" to make dumplings. Dumplings are a very popular food. Eating dumplings at the beginning of autumn is called "grabbing autumn fat". You grab a dumpling from me and I grab a dumpling from you. People think that this can make themselves strong.

4. Eating red beans. Since the Tang and Song Dynasties, there is also the custom of eating red beans with well water at the beginning of autumn. Take seven to fourteen small adzuki beans and swallow them with well water. Face west when taking it. It is said that you can avoid dysentery throughout the autumn. There is a folk custom of divining whether the weather will be hot or cold at the beginning of autumn. Cui Yan of the Eastern Han Dynasty's "Four People's Monthly Orders": "At the beginning of autumn in the morning, it is cold; at the beginning of autumn at night, it is extremely hot."

5. Posting autumn fat, it is popular among the people to weigh people on the day of the beginning of autumn by hanging scales and weighing them. Compare with Beginning of Summer. Because people have little appetite in summer and eat light and simple meals. After two or three months, they will lose a little weight. The autumn wind brings an appetite, and I want to eat something good to add a little nutrition and compensate for the losses in summer. The way to make up for it is to "post autumn fat": various kinds of meat on the day of the Beginning of Autumn, such as stewed meat, barbecued meat, braised pork, etc. , "put meat on fat".

6. Eating "Zha". It is popular in Laixi, Shandong Province to eat "Zha" in the Beginning of Autumn, a kind of small tofu made with minced beans and green vegetables. There is a saying that even if you vomit, you won’t have a bowel movement.” Autumn is a period of high incidence of gastrointestinal diseases, and the folk customs in many areas have the meaning of curing diseases and praying for a healthy year. Sichuan and Shandong are typical representatives of this type of folk custom.

7. Eat "Fuyuan". The Beginning of Autumn is the peak season for longan in Taiwan. People believe that after eating longan meat, their descendants will become high-ranking officials, and longan is also called "Fuyuan", so there is a proverb: Eating Fuyuan will give birth to children and grandchildren.

8. Eating eggplants, the folk proverb goes: Plant eggplants at the beginning of summer and eat eggplants at the beginning of autumn. The beginning of autumn is a good time to eat eggplant. According to folk custom, the day before the beginning of autumn, melons, steamed preserved eggplants, fragrant glutinous soup, etc. are placed in the yard to dry overnight and eaten on the day of the beginning of autumn.

9. Eating cool cakes. In the hearts of Jinhua citizens, eating watermelon and cool cakes at the beginning of autumn is an indispensable traditional custom. What is cool cake? It is made of sweet potato starch and poured into a bowl. Wait until the next morning to form a whole piece. From a distance, it looks like a piece of round and clear white jade. Then it is cut into small pieces and sprinkled with sugar, vinegar and mint. It is cool, refreshing, sweet and sour and appetizing.