Fuddland

Although it’s apparently been unseasonably warm for this time of year, the nights are at last getting colder as the darkness draws in earlier and earlier, and a good hot drink keeps the chills at bay. Of course there is a dizzying array of green or flowery teas to choose from here in China, but increasingly I’m finding my heated beverage of choice is another popular alternative: plain hot water.

Considered to be imbued with almost mystical properties, the Chinese swear by hot water both for general health and for chasing away common ailments; drinking cold, or worse, iced water — all too commonplace in the Western world — is thought to be bad for the body: too much of a shock to the system. Like most [city] homes, I have a convenient mineral water dispenser — the tap water is not for drinking — which keeps a reservoir of fresh water close to boiling throughout the day, and the ten-gallon repacement bottles cost next to nothing. It’s warming, thirst-quenching, and tastes a damn sight better than the dishwater that’s advertised as foreigner-friendly English Breakfast-style black tea in the local supermarkets.

#1

susannah | 2006 / 11 / 20 – 22:34

The hot water was something I thought I’d never get used to, but I actually still drink it.

#2

David | 2006 / 11 / 20 – 23:21

Re #1: You can take the girl out of China… ;)

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