I don’t mean to be a stereotype but I have indeed drunk a large teapot full of HOT WATER

[skinnylatte@hachyderm.io]

I don’t mean to be a stereotype but I have indeed drunk a large teapot full of HOT WATER. At a restaurant.

The History Behind China’s Obsession With Hot Water

Parched throats across the country gasp for refreshment served at searing temperatures — but where does this tradition come from?

#SixthTone (www.sixthtone.com)

[snoopj@hachyderm.io]

@skinnylatte this practice has entirely escaped my attention until just now, thanks for broadening my world a little bit by sharing

[aud@fire.asta.lgbt]

@[email protected] not gonna lie: after reading through this earlier this year, I kinda want to try it, just to see what it’s all about.

[skinnylatte@hachyderm.io]

@SnoopJ I went to China with American colleagues and they were baffled by the water fountains dispensing only boiling hot water, and restaurants giving you only hot water

[flaki@flaki.social]

@skinnylatte for a good bit I thought this was some tongue-in-cheek euphemism for tea, but no, they really just mean plain hot water don't they??

[skinnylatte@hachyderm.io]

@flaki boiling hot water, like the large pot i just consumed... neat

[kwramm@mastodon.gamedev.place]

@flaki @skinnylatte in the better restaurants you do get some basic tea instead of just hot water

[skinnylatte@hachyderm.io]

@kwramm @flaki you have to REQUEST for the pot of hot water, neat, outside of china

[jorsh@beige.party]

@skinnylatte

I don't... what? It's water. Who cares what temperature it is, as long as you don't scald yourself or freeze your teeth?

After all, it's really just unflavored decaf tea.

[skinnylatte@hachyderm.io]

@Jorsh it matters for people who visit China for the first time and discover water fountains only have boiling hot water. It’s an interesting cultural norm.