In China, people like to joke that there is no problem a hot pot cannot solve. The fire from a hotpot can melt just about any icy disagreement and warm just about any heart. Over a hotpot, people can talk and share not just food,friendship.
The most popular kind of hotpot is the Sichuan hot pot. What makes Sichuan hot pot differentother hot pots is the use of huajiao (花椒). This spice is hard to describe. Some people say it has no taste at all, and others think it (taste) bad. It has the strange effect of mouth-numbing, making red peppers taste even(hot).
Other famous hot pots include Beijing hotpot, Northeast hotpot and Guangdong hot pot. The Beijing hotpot has lighter taste, using just plain water as its broth (高汤). The pot is also different(make) of brass (黄铜) with chimney in the middle.
The northeast hotpot usually contains pork and cabbage while the Guangdong hot pot uses a chicken or a fish broth, known for its wide range of (ingredient), including seafood.
With a hot pot, you can put in whatever ingredient you like. The same pot can serve all the people(sit) around the table. No one(leave) out, and everyone gets to eat as much or as little as they want. This shows the Chinese(culture) values of openness.
