TCM IV - Food Temperature:

Question 1

Cooking methods

Answer 1

The effect of cooking methods:
* Grilled or barbecued food is very heating
* Deep fried food is heating
* Steamed or boiled food is neutral. The presence of water also adds a moistening Yin quality
* Dried food is more warming than fresh food
* Stewed food is warming
* Stir-fried or baked food is more warming
* Fermenting and sprouting is more cooling
* Raw food is cold or cooling

Question 2

Growing methods

Answer 2

• Plants that grow slowly (e.g. roots) are more warming than those that grow quickly (e.g. salad leaves)
• Plants that grow in a cold environment tend to be more warming
• For example, Siberian Ginseng grows in a very cold (Yin) environment; its effect is therefore very warming (Yang)
• Chemically fertilized plants grow fast and will be cooler than then naturally grown counterparts

Question 3

Examples of hot foods

Answer 3

• Alcohol
• Coffee
• Chocolate
• Chillis
• Cayenne
• Garlic
• Grilled red meat
• Deep-fried roots
• Hot curries

Question 4

Examples of warm foods

Answer 4

• Soups
• Meat or vegetable stews
• Beef
• Lamb
• Stir-fried foods
• Baked foods
• Porridges
• Dahls
• Mild curries
• Onions
• Cinnamon
• Ginger
• Black pepper
• Rosemary
• Cumin
• Coriander seeds
• Mustard seeds
• Warm water
• Most herbal teas

Question 5

Examples of neutral foods

Answer 5

• Steamed grains
• Boiled vegetables
• Pork
• Chicken
• Water at room temperature

Question 6

Examples of cool foods

Answer 6

• Fish
• Fermented foods
• Sprouts
• Salad Leaves
• Bitter greens
• Vegetable juices
• Fruits
• Peppermint tea

Question 7

Examples of cold foods

Answer 7

• Raw foods
• Smoothies
• Iced drinks
• Sushi
• Tofu
• Seaweed