The custom of eating mutton on the winter solstice is said to have started from the Han Dynasty. According to legend, Liu Bang, the Emperor Gaozu, ate mutton cooked by Fan Kuai on the winter solstice, which made him feel particularly delicious and full of praise. Since then, the custom of eating mutton on the winter solstice has been formed among the people. On the winter solstice, people eat mutton and various nourishing foods one after another, in order to have a good omen for the coming year.

Mutton is beneficial to blood, liver and eyesight, and has a good effect on postpartum anemia, tuberculosis, night blindness, cataract and glaucoma. Compared with milk, goat's milk is rich in fat and protein, which is one of the ideal foods for patients with kidney disease and a natural tonic for people with physical weakness.

Extended data:

Mutton taboo

People who often suffer from erosion of tongue and mouth, red eyes, bitter taste, irritability, dry throat, swollen gums, or diarrhea, or those who take Pinellia ternata and Acorus gramineus in traditional Chinese medicine prescriptions should avoid eating mutton. Eating watermelon after eating mutton is easy to "hurt your vitality". This is because mutton is sweet and hot, while watermelon is cold, which is a cold product. After eating, it not only greatly reduces the warming effect of mutton, but also hinders the spleen and stomach.

Tea is the bane of mutton. This is because mutton is rich in protein, and tea contains more tannic acid. Drinking tea while eating mutton will produce protein tannic acid, which will weaken the peristalsis of the intestine and reduce the moisture in the stool, thus inducing constipation.

Baidu Encyclopedia-Winter Solstice (solar terms, festivals)