Native Beijingers know the saying: "Rice porridge with nuts and dried fruit is the messenger of Spring Festival." The porridge is also 
called "Laba porridge" (Laba meaning the 8th day of the12th lunar month), and it is eaten on the particular day of Laba. That day, each household—except those holding funerals—cooks a big pot of Laba porridge. People offer the porridge for consecration and gifts to relatives and neighbors. The mixture, of various kinds of beans, grains and fruits cooked with rice foreshadows an abundant harvest of all food crops in the new year.
In addition to eating Laba porridge, People pickle garlic with rice vinegar in sealed jars and store them in warm places. Pickled garlic is eaten with jiaozi on the first day of the lunar New Year, People say the garlic and vinegar prevent plagues: After Laba day, all households make special purchases for the Staring Festival. Foods are most important.
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