Marianne Martinez
Hot pot is a delicious East Asian variety of stew, but it can leave a lingering smell on your hair and clothes. The cooking process involves simmering meats and broth for long periods, allowing the smells to fully permeate your hair, skin, and clothing. The high humidity also enables scents to adhere, and ingredients like sesame oil and garlic further penetrate fabric and hair. The smell can be challenging to remove and may require multiple washes or special techniques. While the aroma of hot pot can be enticing during the meal, it may linger longer than desired.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Reason for the smell | Long cooking times allow odors to infuse into hair, skin, and clothing |
| Reason for the smell | Steam and humidity enable smells to cling and penetrate pores more easily |
| Reason for the smell | Ingredients like sesame oil and garlic impart lasting odors that cling to fabric and hair |
| Reason for the smell | Close proximity to the cooking pot subjects individuals to odor molecules that cling to hair and skin |
| Reason for the smell | Use of additives in the soup mix |
What You'll Learn
The cooking process
Hot pot is an East Asian variety of stew that involves simmering a pot of stock at the centre of the dining table. While the hot pot is kept simmering, ingredients such as thinly sliced meat, leaf vegetables, mushrooms, wontons, egg dumplings, and seafood are placed into the pot and cooked. The cooked food is usually eaten with a selection of dipping sauces.
In addition, certain ingredients commonly used in hot pot, such as sesame oil and garlic, impart lasting odors that are hard to wash away. The close proximity to the cooking pot also means that diners are subjected directly to odor molecules that cling to hair and skin.
To minimise the smell, some people recommend using a low-fat soup base and choosing lean cuts of meat. Others suggest using water to top up the soup instead of broth, as this can help dilute the fatty content and absorb odours.
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Steam and humidity
The hot steam rising from the hot pot and the high humidity in the room enable smells to cling to your hair and clothing. The steam carries odor molecules that then settle on your hair and skin. The moist environment helps scents to adhere to your hair and clothing.
The proximity to the cooking pot also plays a role in how much the smell of hot pot clings to you. Sitting near the cooking pot with your head over the steam means you are in direct contact with the odor molecules.
The ingredients used in hot pot also contribute to the lingering smell. Ingredients like sesame oil and garlic have robust aromas that are hard to wash away. The oil and fat from the ingredients and the broth also contribute to the smell. The oil gets aerosolized and settles on surrounding surfaces.
There are a few ways to reduce the smell of hot pot on your hair and clothing. One method is to hang your clothes in a steam-filled bathroom after taking a hot shower. The water vapor will mix with the fragrance of your shower gel and remove the hot pot smell. Another way is to use a garment steamer to remove the smell. A hairdryer on a hot setting can also be used to blow the smell away, but be careful not to focus the heat on one area for too long to avoid burning your clothes.
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Pungent ingredients
Garlic
Garlic is a potent ingredient used in hot pot that leaves a lasting impression. Its robust aroma tends to cling to fabric and hair, and it can be challenging to wash away.
Sesame Oil
Sesame oil is another prominent ingredient in hot pot that imparts a strong smell. Like garlic, sesame oil has a robust aroma that permeates the dining area and clings to hair and clothing.
Spices and Herbs
Hot pot often includes various spices and herbs, such as cinnamon, cardamom, cloves, and star anise, which are known for their intense aromas. These ingredients not only add flavor but also contribute to the lingering smell associated with hot pot.
Meat and Broth
The long simmering times for meats and broth in hot pot allow the smells to fully infuse into the surroundings and the diners' hair, skin, and clothing. The high humidity during cooking also enables the scents to adhere and linger.
Other Ingredients
In addition to the above, other ingredients commonly used in hot pot that may contribute to its pungent smell include scallions, cilantro, ginger, shrimp, and beef.
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Close proximity to the pot
The proximity to the hot pot is a significant factor in the lingering smell that clings to your hair, skin, and clothing. Sitting near the cooking pot, with your head over the steam, means you are directly subjected to the odor molecules. The steam carries the scent of the hot pot broth, meats, and vegetables, allowing the smells to fully permeate your person.
The high humidity and steam enable the scents to adhere to your hair, skin, and clothing. The hot steam rising from the pot makes it easier for smells to cling and penetrate your pores and the fabric of your clothes. The moist environment created by the steam helps the scents stick and resist normal washing.
The longer you spend in close proximity to the hot pot, the more time the odor molecules have to settle onto your hair, skin, and clothing. The direct exposure to the steam and the concentration of odor molecules in the air near the pot intensify the smell that clings to you.
To reduce the impact of the smell, it is advisable to avoid leaning your head directly over the pot and to keep a certain distance when possible. This will help minimize the amount of odor molecules that settle on you and reduce the intensity of the lingering scent.
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Additives in the soup mix
Hot pot is a type of East Asian stew that involves simmering a variety of raw ingredients, such as meat, seafood, vegetables, and noodles, in a pot of broth. The cooking process, which involves long simmering times, allows the smell of the various ingredients to infuse into hair, skin, and clothing.
While the aroma of hot pot is often savoury and enticing, it can also be strong and lingering. This is partly due to the additives and ingredients used in the soup base. Here are some common additives used in hot pot soup mixes and how they contribute to the overall smell:
Beef Tallow
Beef tallow, also known as beef dripping, is a key ingredient in many hot pot soup bases, especially the popular Sichuan spicy broth. It serves two main purposes: it adds richness and aroma to the broth, and it helps to solidify the soup base at room temperature for easy storage. While beef tallow is traditionally used, some people may prefer to substitute it with a neutral-flavoured cooking oil, such as rapeseed or sunflower oil, especially if they are concerned about the high fat content of beef tallow.
Spices and Aromatics
Various spices and aromatics are commonly used in hot pot soup bases to enhance the flavour and aroma of the broth. These include dried chilli peppers, Sichuan peppercorns, star anise, cassia cinnamon, bay leaves, Chinese black cardamom, scallions, onions, coriander, garlic, and ginger. These ingredients not only add depth of flavour to the broth but also contribute to the overall smell of the hot pot.
Fermented Ingredients
Fermented ingredients, such as Sichuan chilli bean paste and fermented black beans, are often added to hot pot soup bases to impart a pronounced umami taste and saltiness. These ingredients are commonly found in other Sichuan dishes, such as Mapo Tofu and Twice-cooked Pork Belly. While they enhance the flavour of the broth, they may also contribute to the intensity of the hot pot smell.
Sweeteners and Seasonings
To balance the flavour of the spicy and savoury ingredients, sweeteners and seasonings, such as Shaoxing rice wine and sugar, are often added to hot pot soup bases. These ingredients not only enhance the taste of the broth but may also interact with other ingredients to create complex aromas that contribute to the overall smell of the hot pot.
Herbal Ingredients
In some variations of hot pot, traditional Chinese herbal ingredients are used as a base for the soup. For example, "dong quai" or "angelica root" is a key ingredient that creates a distinctive fragrance (though some may find it pungent). This ingredient is believed to promote warmth, replenish blood, and improve circulation. While it may be an acquired taste for some, it is a popular choice for a warming and healthy hot pot experience.
The combination of these additives and ingredients in the hot pot soup base contributes to the overall smell of the dish. While some people may find the aroma enticing, others may consider it too strong or lingering. However, by understanding the role of these additives, individuals can make informed choices about the ingredients they use and adjust the recipe to their preferences.
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Frequently asked questions
The long cooking process, potent ingredients, and close contact cause the smell of hot pot to linger on your body and clothes. The high humidity and steam from the pot enable the smells to stick to your hair and skin.
Ingredients like sesame oil, garlic, chilies, and fermented bean curd leave the most stubborn smells as their pungent aromas are harder to wash away.
To prevent the hot pot smell from lingering, try to avoid leaning your head directly over the pot and tie up long hair to prevent it from coming into contact with the steam. Wash your face, hands, and arms before leaving the restaurant, and use mouthwash or brush your teeth to remove food smells from your breath.
To remove the smell from your hair, try shampooing twice, using a baking soda scrub, or rinsing with apple cider vinegar or lemon juice. For clothes, machine wash twice with fragrance-free detergent, or use a borax soak, white vinegar, or baking soda to help eliminate the smell.
