HSK 4 6 Why Chinese People Love Drinking Hot Water learnchinese chineseculture

Hello welcome today's show I'm holding a thermos in my hand filled with hot water If you're a foreign friend you might find this a bit strange Why do Chinese people always carry hot water wherever they go Yes I remember my American friend's first time in China seeing everyone in our office with a thermos on their desk He was especially shocked saying "Do you Chinese people really have hot water flowing through your veins " That metaphor is actually quite vid In fact today we just want to chat with our foreign friends about this topic Why do Chinese people love drinking hot water so much There are actually deep cultural and historical reasons behind this And many people may not realize The nationwide habit of Chinese people drinking hot water isn't actually that old in historical terms That's a fascinating point—many foreign friends assume that Chinese people have been drinking hot water since ancient times but in reality ordinary people only began consuming hot water on a large scale within the past 70 years What did ancient Chinese people drink before that Ordinary people in ancient times mainly drank well water river water or stored rainwater Boiling water required firewood which was a significant expense for ordinary families Only the wealthy could afford to regularly drink hot water which is partly why epidemics were more common in ancient China and this factor did play a role—indeed it was a real connection That said the Chinese tradition of boiling water before drinking has deep roots It's actually been known for a long time that archaeologists have discovered evidence showing that our ancestors were already using pottery to boil water as far back as the Neolithic era and they already understood the benefits of boiling water back then It must have been gradually discovered through practice—think about it drinking raw water often leads to stomach upset while boiled water is much safer ancient medical texts also document this For example the mention in Mencius of drinking soup in winter But it wasn't until the 1950s that drinking hot water truly became widespread among all Chinese people following the founding of the new China when the government launched the Patriotic Health Campaign one of whose key initiatives was It was a call to drink boiled water to prevent illness — the results were remarkably effective as cholera and other waterborne diseases saw a sharp decline in both incidence and mortality rates So to some extent drinking more hot water really has saved countless lives—given that it's not just idle talk yes there 's solid scientific evidence behind it And from the perspective of Traditional Chinese Medicine drinking warm water holds deeper significance—TCM explains that the human body must maintain a balance of yin and yang and cold water is considered a form of cold pathogenic factor It can harm the spleen and stomach especially for those with weak and cold spleen-stomach conditions But foreigners drinking cold water seems to cause them no trouble This is related to dietary patterns—Western diets are generally high in fat and calories such as steaks cheese and butter which are inherently warming and thus require cold drinks to balance them whereas Chinese diets are different Chinese diets tend to be relatively light with more vegetables so drinking cold water at this point can easily make the body overly chilled Try having a big glass of ice water right after eating a meal of green vegetables and tofu—you'll definitely feel discomfort in your stomach I've experienced that myself Are there any other explanations from traditional Chinese medicine Traditional Chinese medicine emphasizes warming the meridians and dispelling cold For example when women suffer from menstrual pain why are they advised to drink brown sugar water That's because hot water promotes blood circulation and helps relieve pain caused by cold which is also true during a cold—yes Traditional Chinese Medicine views many colds as resulting from invasion by cold pathogens Drinking hot water can induce sweating and dispel cold aiding the body's recovery—this is a principle of traditional Chinese medicine though modern medicine may offer a different explanation How does modern medicine view drinking hot water Modern medicine holds that water at a suitable temperature indeed benefits the body—warm water can promote blood circulation aid digestion and relieve muscle tension but it shouldn't be too hot right This is very important the World Health Organization recommends that drinking water should ideally between 40 and 50 degrees Celsius as water that is too hot can damage the esophagus and stomach lining Drinking water that's too hot over a long period may even increase the risk of esophageal cancer to check if the temperature is right the simplest method is to test it with your lips—when it feels warm it's likely safe to drink But it just needs to be not too hot to burn your mouth What Chinese people often refer to as "warm boiled water" is roughly this temperature Speaking of which I recall a particularly interesting phenomenon When Chinese people travel abroad Haha this has become standard gear for Chinese tourists — a friend of mine traveling in Europe even packed a collapsible kettle in his suitcase Foreigners might find this strange especially so I heard about a Chinese tourist in a U S hotel asking a staff member for hot water and the employee thought he wanted to take a shower so they simply pointed toward the bathroom This cultural difference is quite interesting In China one important criterion for judging a hotel's quality is whether the room has an electric kettle Exactly It's now standard equipment in Chinese hotels But in many Western countries hotel rooms typically only have coffee makers and no separate kettles so Chinese tourists have to bring their own—not just for travel but for convenience Drinking hot water in daily life also reflects the Chinese way of welcoming guests How do you say it Think about when a guest comes to your home—what’s usually the first thing we say "Tea or water " Yes and it ’s always hot tea or hot water In Chinese culture this is a way of showing care and respect—just as British people might ask if you take sugar in your tea it's natural But if you serve hot water to a foreign guest they might find it completely confusing Indeed this is a cultural difference—providing chilled or room-temperature water to guests is normal in the West but in China doing so might be seen as lacking thoughtfulness I recall a particular scene Chinese people going to Western restaurants when asked by waiters "still or sparkling water " often respond with "Do you have hot water " Haha The waiter's expression must be priceless But nowadays many internationalized restaurants They've also started adapting to the needs of Chinese customers by proactively offering hot water—this shows that cultures influence one another especially as more and more Chinese people travel and settle around the world Our own daily habits are also influencing other cultures Will foreigners coming to China adapt to drinking hot water Some will others won't I have a German friend who's lived in China for ten years and he's now started drinking hot water too especially in winter He began because his digestion wasn't doing well at first A Chinese friend suggested he drink hot water to soothe his stomach after trying it for a while he found it genuinely effective and gradually got used to it though some foreign friends still couldn't accept it saying hot water has no taste It tastes strange—this brings us back to the cultural differences we mentioned earlier for Chinese people the lack of taste in hot water is precisely what makes it superior Chinese people believe water should be pure without any additional taste and hot water is better at quenching thirst especially in the dry northern regions Regarding regional differences Are there differences between China's north and south regarding drinking hot water There are some differences People in the north may be more accustomed to drinking hot water because the climate is drier and colder Southerners tend to be less strict about it but overall hot water is still the norm The people from Guangdong for instance aren't particularly fond of drinking soup are they Right Cantonese people have a saying that it's better to eat without vegetables than without soup their soup is essentially a form of hot water simply enriched with various ingredients and herbs This brings us back to the concept of traditional Chinese medicine for health preservation Exactly The soup culture in Guangdong is actually an embodiment of TCM dietary therapy—drinking different soups according to the season and choosing different soups based on individual constitutions There's a certain tradition behind all of this What about other regions For example people from Sichuan also have their own unique way of drinking hot water They like to add a bit of tea leaves or enjoy flower tea in their hot water And when Sichuan people eat hot pot they always have hot tea on the side to balance the spiciness of the chili I've experienced this firsthand drinking cold beverages with hot pot it feels great at the moment but it's really not good for your stomach Exactly This is the essence of Chinese dietary wisdom: pairing hot food with hot beverages minimizes strain on the digestive system But what about summer Even in the height of summer should you still drink hot water This is something many foreign friends find particularly hard to understand even in the height of summer Chinese people still insist on drinking hot water how does Traditional Chinese Medicine explain this phenomenon Traditional Chinese Medicine believes although the external temperature is high during summer But the inside of the body might actually be cold because in summer we consume a lot of cold drinks icy watermelon and spend time in air-conditioned rooms—these all contribute to accumulating cold energy within the body so we need hot water to balance it out Yes And drinking hot water in summer actually helps sweating which in turn can lower body temperature just look at people in desert regions—they drink hot tea too It sounds counterintuitive and indeed it is There's some logic to it of course Modern lifestyles differ greatly from those of ancient times so these theories should be viewed in light of current realities Now do today's young people still stick to drinking hot water There has been a change But overall hot water is still the main choice However nowadays young people place greater emphasis on water quality For instance they may opt for mineral water or filtered water to boil And nowadays thermos technology has improved significantly—current thermoses can keep liquids hot for over ten hours making it easier than ever to enjoy hot water anytime Many young people's thermoses cost more than their smartphones That's true— I've seen people using thermoses that cost just a few hundred dollars and now there are even smart thermoses that display water temperature and remind you to drink water Technology has made traditional habits more convenient Speaking of reminding people to drink water — this is yet another uniquely Chinese thing — how should I put it Chinese people especially love reminding others to drink more water: when you have a cold drink hot water when you 're tired even when you're feeling down they still say This has become a viral internet me—especially when guys tell their girlfriends to drink more hot water often mocked as a sign of "toxic masculinity " but really it's just a way of showing care Though it may sound a bit cliché it truly comes from a place of care in Chinese culture drinking more hot water is as common a way of showing affection as wearing more clothes But nowadays young people are also innovating this way of expression for example saying things like "remember to drink warm boiled water" or "I made you some honey water"—it just sounds more thoughtful This shows that traditions evolve while being passed down the core of care remains unchanged yet the way it's expressed keeps pace with the times Now let's discuss the specific benefits of drinking warm water Some practical advice foreign friends SureFirst If you have a sensitive stomach it's recommended to drink more hot water when visiting China The flavors of Chinese food might differ from what you're used to Hot water can aid digestion Especially when eating hot pot it's essential to have hot tea or hot water alongside—this helps soothe the irritation from chili on your stomach and aids in digesting greasy foods Any other suggestions If you feel especially dry during winter in China drinking more hot water can help relieve this discomfort winters in northern China are particularly dry and hot water is more effective than cold water at replenishing your body's moisture Plus warm water can help warm the body especially for people who often have cold hands and feet drinking warm water can promote blood circulation and make the body feel warmer So what should you pay attention to The most important thing is temperature Avoid drinking water that's too hot 40 to 50 degrees Celsius is ideal Also if you naturally have a hot constitution such as frequently experiencing heatiness or breakouts Don't force yourself to drink very hot water How to determine your constitution This is more complicated It's best to consult a traditional Chinese medicine practitioner However generally speaking if you often feel dry mouth and throat and tend to get acne on your face They tend to be more irritable which may indicate a hot-tempered constitution such individuals should drink room-temperature water or slightly warm water and can also enjoy cooling teas like green tea or chrysanthemum tea Talking about tea it's also an essential part of China's hot beverage culture and the concept of tea culture closely aligns with the tradition of drinking hot water—Chinese people typically drink tea hot and very few consume iced tea For example green tea clears heat and detoxifies black tea soothes and nourishes the complexion oolong tea helps reduce fat and aid weight loss and pu-erh tea promotes digestion These reflect the Chinese people's nuanced understanding of hot beverages If foreign friends want to try what would you recommend Beginners can start with milder teas For example black tea or oolong tea green tea might taste a bitter at first so it takes some getting used to Also floral teas are good—yes jasmine tea rose tea chrysanthemum tea—these are generally easier to accept and come with a delicate pleasant aroma Let's talk about where you can easily get hot water in China—this is very practical foreign tourists First of all almost every hotel room comes with an electric kettle as standard equipment As for restaurants Chinese restaurants typically provide hot water or hot tea automatically at no extra charge whereas Western restaurants may require you to ask for it yourself In public places such as airports train stations and subway stations Many buildings have free hot water dispensers—you can look for signs marked "hot water" or "boiling water " Office buildings also have them and many office break rooms are equipped with water dispensers Hot water is available though visitors may find it difficult to access the office building As for the mall large shopping centers typically have drinking water facilities in their rest areas including hot water Some mall baby care rooms also provide hot water for preparing formula whereas convenience stores typically don't offer free hot water but you can buy hot drinks—Chinese convenience stores in particular have an especially wide variety of hot beverages For example hot soy milk hot milk tea various hot teas hot coffee and even hot functional beverages —during winter these warm drinks are especially popular I've noticed that Chinese people have a particularly strong ability to innovate when it comes to hot drinks For example the currently popular health-promoting tea drinks which combine traditional Chinese herbs with modern tea beverages such as goji berry tea red date tea lemon honey tea and ginger tea These are all delicious hot drinks with health benefits that young people also love for today's youth drinking goji berries in a thermos while staying up late has become a lifestyle This phenomenon is quite intriguing—it shows how traditional culture is being passed down and reimagined among younger generations They may not live entirely according to tradition but they selectively embrace beneficial elements So let's summarize this briefly Why should you recommend the Chinese hot water culture to foreign friends First from a health perspective properly warmed water truly benefits the body especially the digestive system Secondly This is a window into Chinese culture—through the simple habit of drinking hot water you can understand the Chinese people's view of health their reverence for nature and their care for others And living in China If you can adapt to drinking hot water it will make life more convenient—no need to worry about not finding cold water since hot water is available everywhere and you won't have to worry about stomach discomfort either Because warm water aids digestion most importantly when a Chinese friend tells you to drink more warm water you’ll understand the kindness behind it—not a mere formality but a genuine expression of care Just as hugging signifies friendliness in Western culture drinking hot water represents care in Chinese culture of course we're not saying everyone must drink hot water but mutual understanding is key in cultural exchange Instead of forcing yourself to accept it if you truly aren't used to drinking hot water you can absolutely stick to your own habits but at least now you know why Chinese people love drinking hot water so much Behind it lies thousands of years of cultural accumulation the wisdom of traditional Chinese medicine for health preservation support from modern science the warmth between people and this practice continues to evolve As lifestyles change the way Chinese people consume hot water is also evolving with more options now available Technology is advancing insulation equipment is becoming increasingly sophisticated making it easier to enjoy water at the ideal temperature anytime yet one thing remains unchanged: the commitment to health and respect for tradition And kindness toward others So if you're a foreign friend when you visit China next time why not embrace local customs and experience the hot water culture You might just discover that this seemingly simple habit holds a deeper meaning It actually carries deep cultural significance and wisdom from everyday life and you might just fall in love with that comforting warmth especially during cold winter days when a cup of hot water can truly soothe and warm you Not just the body but also the mind—this is China's hot water culture: simple yet profound traditional yet modern Through today's sharing we hope foreign friends can better understand the Chinese way of life and cultural values And I hope everyone while experiencing different cultures maintains an open and inclusive mindset after all the world is beautiful because of its diversity and cultures become richer through exchange Alright That concludes today's sharing on China's hot water culture If you found today's content interesting feel free to share it with your friends so more people can learn about this fascinating cultural phenomenon See you next time