Xunyi Earthen Hot Pot

Xunyi Earthen Hot Pot

　　The hot pot is round, larger at the top and smaller at the bottom, with the upper part functioning as the cooking vessel and the lower part serving as both the fire chamber and base. The earthen hot pot is heated with charcoal. In the center of the pot stands a cylindrical chimney that is narrower at the top and wider at the bottom. All earthen hot pots come with a lid, which has a round hole in the middle through which the chimney passes. The lid covers the pot tightly, preventing heat from escaping and also keeping out ash or other debris. The earthen hot pot is known for its rich variety of ingredients, often containing over ten different dishes, and is also prized for its deeply flavorful base — once tasted, it’s hard to forget. The hot pot is served with pre-cooked dishes placed inside and heated for eating, making it a convenient and quick option.

　　The hot pot is a great cooking utensil for people in northern China during the winter. Xunyi residents usually keep their earthen hot pots stored away most of the year and bring them out primarily during the Spring Festival. Once the Lunar New Year celebrations begin, relatives and friends visit back and forth. As one group leaves, another arrives, and the most convenient meal to serve guests is four or five drinking dishes to accompany alcohol. After everyone has had their fill, a hot pot is then served for the meal. This style of hospitality is both practical and unpretentious. Wealthy families do it this way, and so do poorer ones — it's very much a common practice.

　　Source: Xunyi County Cultural Relics and Tourism Bureau