This year, Dongji (Winter Solstice) falls on "Aedongji," a day when, according to tradition, it is considered better to eat red bean rice cakes rather than red bean porridge. Aedongji refers to years ...

The witch hazel, camellias and Edgeworthia are blooming their hearts out. The daylight hours, ever-lengthening, are spurring the flickers to begin their territorial racket. They’re all saying one ...

Traditionally eaten on Dongji, the winter solstice, patjuk is more than a warming bowl of comfort. Made from red beans — red is long believed to ward off misfortune — this porridge has been used in ...

In a splendid reflection of cultural priorities, count on the Danes to assign a bowl of soup as a measure of linguistic ability. For us well-intentioned yet decidedly non-Danish spouses and friends ...