Hot Pot Therapy: Comfort Food To Soothe Colds And Flu

Hot pot is a popular dish in China, especially during the winter months. It is believed to be a good choice for chilly days as it can help keep the body warm and is considered a nourishing meal. However, when it comes to treating a cold, the effectiveness of hot pot is less clear. While spicy foods like hot pot may not cure a cold, they can help ease symptoms by inducing sweating and creating a runny nose. On the other hand, hot pot may worsen certain symptoms, especially if you are feeling nauseous or have a fever. Therefore, it is important to consider your specific symptoms when deciding whether to indulge in hot pot when you are feeling under the weather.

Hot pot can alleviate cold symptoms

Hot pot is a great meal to have when you're feeling under the weather. The dish is a perfect remedy for those nursing a cold. Here's why hot pot can alleviate cold symptoms:

Warming and Comforting

Hot pot is a warming activity for cold, winter climates. The concept of eating hot pot involves sitting close to a warm burner, which is comforting in chilly weather. The ingredients used in hot pot are typically warming items, following the 'yin and yang' concept practised in Chinese medicine. For instance, lamb and beef are commonly used in hot pot as they are considered 'yang' or warming foods.

Social and Interactive

Hot pot is a social and interactive dish that is perfect for group gatherings. It is a communal dish that encourages conversation and a sense of community. The interactive nature of hot pot can boost morale and positively impact your mental health, which is beneficial when you're feeling unwell.

Healthy and Nutritious

Hot pot can be a nutritious meal that provides your body with essential nutrients to support the healing process. The variety of ingredients used in hot pot, such as meat, seafood, vegetables, and condiments, ensures that you get a well-rounded mix of proteins, vitamins, and minerals.

Spicy and Congestion-Relieving

Spicy foods can help alleviate cold symptoms by inducing sweating and creating a runny nose. The capsaicin in spicy food binds to TRPV1 receptors in the tongue, tricking the brain into thinking the body is in heat-induced pain. This triggers a response from the body, including sweating and increased mucus production, which can help clear congestion.

Soothing and Comforting

Hot liquids, such as soup, are often recommended when sick because they are soothing and comforting. The steam from the hot pot can help clear sinuses, and the warmth of the broth can be comforting when dealing with cold symptoms.

It's a good source of nutrients

Hot pot is a good source of nutrients, which can be beneficial when you're feeling under the weather. While it won't cure your cold, it can provide your body with the fuel it needs to heal.

The key to a nutritious hot pot is in the ingredients you choose. A variety of fresh vegetables, proteins, and spices can boost the nutritional value of your hot pot. For example, adding leafy greens such as spinach, kale, or Napa cabbage provides vitamins C, E, and K, as well as folate and plant-based iron. These nutrients are essential for supporting your immune system and reducing inflammation in the body.

In addition to vegetables, including protein-rich foods in your hot pot is crucial. Thin slices of beef, pork, lamb, or chicken are popular choices, as they cook quickly in the broth and provide your body with the protein it needs for recovery. Other protein options include meatballs, fish balls, shrimp, tofu, and eggs.

The broth itself can also be a good source of nutrients. Bone broths, in particular, are rich in collagen and amino acids, which may promote faster recovery. The spice and heat in the broth can also have beneficial effects. The capsaicin in chili peppers, for example, can help thin out mucus and clear sinus congestion. However, it's important to note that while spice may alleviate some symptoms, it won't cure your cold, as it has no effect on the virus causing it.

While hot pot can be a nutritious meal, it's important to remember that it may not be suitable for everyone when sick. If you have a fever, nausea, or an upset stomach, hot pot might worsen your condition. Lighter soups, such as miso or chicken broth, may be more suitable in these cases.

It's a warming activity for cold climates

Hot pot is a great activity for cold climates as it is a warming and social activity. It is an interactive and customisable meal, where diners gather around a boiling pot of broth and cook an array of ingredients to their liking. The hot broth is especially comforting and warming in cold weather.

Hot pot is a very social activity, and its communal nature is part of its appeal. Diners choose their desired ingredients, such as thinly sliced meats, mushrooms, shrimp, Chinese lettuces, and fresh noodles, and cook them together in the hot broth. The social aspect of the meal is enhanced by the variety of ingredients and the fact that it is usually enjoyed with a group of people.

The origins of hot pot lie in its communal nature. It is believed that the original hot pot, introduced to East Asia by the Mongolian Empire thousands of years ago, was eaten on-the-go in the helmets of Mongolian soldiers. The dish consisted of a simple broth served with horse meat and mutton. Over time, hot pot spread throughout Northern China, Korea, Japan, and Vietnam, and evolved into the social phenomenon it is today.

Today, hot pot is a popular dining experience, with restaurants offering a variety of broths, dipping ingredients, and sauces to choose from. It is a warming and comforting meal, perfect for cold climates and bringing people together.

It's a social dish

Hot pot is a social dish. It's an interactive and communal dining experience, where people come together to cook and eat. It's a fun and filling way to spend an evening, chatting with friends and family while cooking and eating together.

Hot pot is a great way to socialise because it's so interactive. Diners gather around a pot of broth, choosing from a variety of raw ingredients—meat, seafood, vegetables, tofu, and starches—to add to the pot and cook. Each person can choose their own ingredients and create their own dipping sauce, making it a deeply personalised meal. It's a great way to cater to different dietary requirements and preferences, as everyone can choose exactly what they want to eat.

The social aspect of hot pot is one of the reasons for its huge popularity. In China, hot pot restaurants range from casual to upscale, and the dish is especially popular with young Chinese people. It's a great option for large groups, as diners can pick and choose their own ingredients and cook them at their own pace. It's also a relatively easy dish to make at home, requiring just a few pieces of equipment.

Hot pot is a great way to bring people together and create a cozy, warm atmosphere. It's a fun, social dining experience that encourages interaction and conversation. So, if you're looking for a meal that's not just about the food but also about the company and the experience, hot pot is a perfect choice.

It's easy to prepare

Preparing hot pot is easy and can be done at home. The key to hot pot is the broth, the dipping ingredients, and the dipping sauces.

The first step is to make the broth. While you can make your own broth from scratch, it is also possible to purchase a pre-made hot pot base. The most popular broths are the spicy, Sichuan-style or the milder Beijing-style.

The next step is to prepare the dipping ingredients. The beauty of hot pot is that there are very few rules about what you can and cannot use. The stars are often the proteins, which can include thin slices of beef, pork, lamb, or chicken, as well as meatballs, fish balls, shrimp, and other seafood. Other popular dipping ingredients include tofu products, mushrooms, sliced lotus roots, daikon radish, and Asian greens such as Napa cabbage, baby bok choy, and snow pea leaves.

Finally, prepare the dipping sauce. There are many options for dipping sauces, but a classic choice for Sichuan-style hot pot is a sesame oil, garlic, and scallion sauce.

Once you have your broth, dipping ingredients, and dipping sauce ready, simply bring the broth to a boil and start cooking your ingredients!

Frequently asked questions