The eighth day of the twelfth month of the lunar year is the Laba Festival, a traditional Chinese festival, which falls on Jan 7 this year. Three major customs on this day are ancestor worship, eating Laba rice porridge, and making Laba garlic.

Laba porridge

The main ingredients of Laba porridge. [Photo/IC]

The main ingredients of Laba porridge are rice and sticky rice, while sugar, red dates, lotus seeds, walnuts, chestnuts, almonds, longans, hazelnuts, raisins, red beans, peanuts, water caltrops, roseleaf and other various ingredient are also added for extra flavor.

Laba garlic

Laba garlic. [Photo/IC]

Laba garlic refers to garlic pickled in vinegar, with a taste that is slightly sour and mildly spicy. It is a traditional delicacy often prepared during the Laba Festival. The garlic cloves turn a beautiful emerald green color after being soaked in vinegar for a period of time, which makes it not only delicious but also visually appealing.

Laba garlic is often eaten with dumplings or other staple foods, adding a unique flavor to the meal. It is a popular food in northern China and is loved by many people for its unique taste and cultural significance.