Glutinous rice, beans, nuts and sugar are just some of the 8 ingredients mainly used to make the porridge tasty. As people's quality of life is improving more expensive and nutritious ingredients can be added to the porridge. The chef says, the cooking process is not complicated, but patience and slow cooking is very important.

Liu Lianzhang, Chief, said, "We carefully selected 18 ingredients and began to make the porridge at 4 a.m. this morning, that's 6 hours till now. Controlling the heat and cooking time is of great importance in making Laba porridge."

Eating porridge during the Laba Festival is a very old tradition in China. "Laba porridge" became known as "Buddha porridge," in commemoration of the date of Buddha's enlightenment. In old days, porridge was given to poor people for free by large Buddhist temples on Laba festival. But nowadays, since everyone can afford it, the event has become more like a traditional gesture than an act of charity.

Some old Beijing residents say that the tradition of eating porridge is good in itself.

Beijing Resident, said, "Laba porridge could warm up our stomach and make us healthier. It is a nutritious winter food because it contains a lot of good things, such as peanuts, dates, and other dried fruits."

The Laba Festival marks the start of the Chinese new year celebrations. It's believed that eating Laba porridge could bring people good fortune and fruitful harvest in the coming year. And it must be really great to have something sweet and warm to eat on such a freezing day. I cannot wait to have a try, and what about you?