May 24, 2020 09:00:00

Why do Chinese people prefer drinking “hot water”?

The Chinese are not only tea, nothing does not contain 'is just a hot water

plain hot water and has a habit of drinking in favor of (plain hot water)'. A YouTube channel on Chinese culture, Goldthread , explains in a movie how the act of drinking white hot water became established and became a culture.

Why Do Chinese People Prefer Drinking Hot Water?-Why Chinese (E2)-YouTube


What you almost always see at Chinese restaurants is the scene of drinking white hot water.

Chinese people love white hot water, and there is also a water heater for the thermos at the airport.

Westerners prefer cold water, while Chinese prefer white hot water. 'Drinking hot water' can be said to be the stereotype of Chinese people.

According to Professor Zhang Guowei, who specializes in Chinese culture, the practice of drinking white hot water has gradually become established in China over the years.

One of the reasons is 'coldness'. Before the spread of the central heating culture called “warm air” and cotton clothing, the cold winter was tough for Chinese people. The habit of drinking white hot water was established to warm the body.

Another reason is 'sterilization'. Ancient Chinese used to obtain water from rivers, but such water is a hotbed of various bacteria, and if you drink it as it is, you will get sick. Since the easiest sterilization method for Chinese people is to 'boil hot water,' the practice of drinking white hot water has become widespread.

However, the main reason for establishing the habit of drinking white hot water is the 'traditional medicine' that is transmitted to China. In China, we have a strong belief that health is related to body temperature.

According to Chinese doctor Cinci Leung, 'The drinking of cold water interferes with the normal functioning of the internal organs,' according to the Chinese oldest medical book, the

Huang Tei Meiji.

In addition,

Yin Yang, which is one of the Chinese thoughts, is interpreted as 'when drinking hot water, the organs belonging to the Yang, such as the spleen and stomach, are full of power and the digestive and absorption ability of food is enhanced.'

The Chinese people think that “there is no need to worry about health if the internal organs are functioning properly”, so the habit of “drinking white hot water” to keep the internal organs healthy has become more important. Traditional Chinese medicine is so common in China that the practice of drinking white hot water is like an unwavering belief and is important to your health.

However, when fuel such as firewood was expensive, no one could drink white hot water, and if there was no financial allowance, only sick people, elderly people, and pregnant women took white hot water.

In the 19th century, a coffee shop specializing in white hot water appeared. The time will come when most people can drink white hot water.

In the 1930s, the Chinese government at that time implemented a policy called '

new life movement '. He encouraged the people to be careful about hygiene and encouraged them to drink white hot water. As a result, the white water culture is fully established in China.

It is known that Mao Zedong also drunk white hot water with an enamel mug.

In 1952, the Communist Party government implemented a public health promotion campaign. I encouraged you to drink white hot water.

During this exercise, posters that encourage drinking white water were distributed to schools, and it was recommended to visually drink white water.

In modern China, not all companies have lounges or break rooms, but water dispensers that pour boiling water are everywhere.

That's why I see Chinese people drinking hot water from thermos even in sweaty heat.