Hot Drinks

[Islander]

Hi, just musing, as one does, and I wondered how we have evolved to drink such hot drinks as we do. While humans cooked food since they discovered it tasted better than uncooked, they would not have heated their drinks. Or would they ? When we eat hot food , a lot of heat is lost through mastication, yet we manage to tip quite hot liquids down our throats with no problem. So how did we evolve to where we are ? I am asking as I love hot tea, the hotter the better and if it sits in the cup too long , it spoils. Any ideas?

[AuntPollyGrey]

People have been drinking Tea for over 2000 years in China. I suppose they realised you couldn't really make it with cold water. Same with coffee and hot chocolate, drunk first by the Incas I think.

[retrocop]

//yet we manage to tip quite hot liquids down our throats with no problem//

Speak for yourself. I find it impossible to drink tea or coffee piping hot.It's pretty much tepid when I get to finish a mug. I do sip hot soup and Bovril when its still quite warm. Asbestos gullet I have not. :-(

[bhg481]

Most people pour liquids down their throat which are far hotter than they would stick their finger in or pour it over themselves.

[pastafreak]

I'm the same as retro. I don't like a singed throat...

[tiggerblue10]

I have burnt my tongue many times accidentally drinking piping hot drinks. You would've thought I'd learnt my lesson by now but, nope!

[jakep]

I can’t physically drink very hot tea or coffee. I also find that you can’t appreciate the flavour properly until they cool down a bit.

[GenuineclAss]

Arabs have drunk the hottest drinks for centuries, as it helps them sweat. I cannot drink hot drinks, like many on here and prefer cold coffee. I don't drink tea. jakep is correct in saying that cooler food and drink has more flavour. The Queen is only ever given cooler food and drink so that she doesn't burn her tongue in front of other dignitaries, one presumes.

[Patsy33]

I have often wonder this, too.
You can understand it coming from cold climate, I suppose.
There's nothing worse than scalding your throat! Also, not good drinking piping hot tea, coffee, etc, if you suffer with GERD.

[iluvmargie]

Tea and coffee has to be piping hot for me as well.

[aelmpvw]

conversely, i've never actually tried iced tea but it sounds disgusting

[iluvmargie]

It is, I tried it once, never again!

[barry1010]

Europeans also drank hot 'tea' made with local herbs and fruits. As soon as man started cooking they drank the hot broth left over from cooking meat and veg.