Within Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) there is a wide array of knowledge based on foods. This knowledge breaks down the elements of Yin and Yang and helps us figure out which foods we should be eating for our optimal health.

Each food has a temperature and can be measured on a scale to see how it affects the body. The scale runs from hot, warm, neutral, cool and cold. For example, an Apple has a temperature of Cool and is therefore more cooling to the body. On the other hand, if you were to eat Cherries, they would have a more warming effect.

The goal when you cook a meal should for it to have an appropriate balance based on what you need at the time. A person living in a very hot environment should be eating foods that primarily cool the body. The same principle for people in a cold environment should be eating foods that are warming. The same can be said based on what seasons a person is living in. Generally if it is winter, then you would want to be eating warming foods and if it is summer to eat cooling foods.

Not listening to what your body needs at the time can lead to a person developing disease and sickness. So it always important to pay close attention to what your body is doing and try to figure out the best path to it being in balance.

Each food also goes to certain organ(s) in the body. For example, eating an Apple will nourish your Lung, Heart and Intestines.

You can also change the temperature of your food based on the use of spices. Using Black Pepper on your food would make it closer to a Hot temperature.

[There is a full list of food and their properties here]