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Turning up the Heat on a Winter Favorite 围一锅暖冬

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With falling temperatures signaling the arrival of winter in Taiwan, thoughts naturally turn to hearty winter food. And when it comes to warming up around the dinner table, there’s nothing better than a steaming hot pot.

随着气温下降，意味着冬天已来至台湾，很自然地，就会想吃些丰盛的冬令美食。而说到晚餐桌上能全身暖烘烘的食物，那就非热腾腾的火锅莫属了。

Hot pot is believed to have originated over one thousand years ago from nomadic tribes in Mongolia, where the winters are much harsher than in Taiwan. From there, the cuisine spread to northern China, eventually becoming popular across the country. As hot pot requires specialized tools, like a kettle and of course a large pot, it proved better suited to Chinese culture, where people move around much less than in Mongolia.

据说火锅起源于一千多年前的蒙古游牧部落，当地冬季气候与台湾比起来要酷寒许多。从那里，火锅这道料理传到中国北方，最后风行全中国。由于火锅需要专门的器皿，例如鼎以及当然会使用的大锅子，这道料理显然更适合汉人文化，因为与蒙古人相较之下，汉人鲜少迁徙。

Nowadays, hot pot is enjoyed throughout much of Asia with numerous regional variations. In northern China, for example, the favored ingredients are mutton and beef, while people in southern regions often prefer to add seafood. Koreans like to use a rich, spicy sauce, while the Japanese version is usually lighter in flavor.

现今，火锅在亚洲大多数地区深受喜爱，拥有多种富地区特色的不同风味。比如说，在中国北方，偏好的食材是羊肉及牛肉，而南方人则常常喜欢在火锅里添加海鲜。韩国人喜欢浓烈、香辣的酱汁，而日式火锅的口味就比较清淡。

While ingredients may vary, one universal characteristic of a hot pot meal is that it is very much a social occasion. Family or friends will sit around the pot, chatting and drinking while they freely dip their food into the boiling broth. With its ability to lift spirits as well as warm up bodies, it’s no wonder hot pot continues to be such a popular winter food!

食材虽有变化，但是吃火锅的共同特色就是：它是一项社交聚会。亲朋好友围炉而坐，一边喝酒、聊天，一边随意将食材放进滚烫的汤头里涮几下。火锅能提高兴致兼驱寒暖身，难怪它是人气始终不坠的冬令美食。

−by David Vickers

Vocabulary

单词发音

hearty [ˋhɑrtɪ] adj. 丰盛的；营养丰富的

harsh [hɑrʃ] adj. 严酷的，恶劣的

specialized [ˋspɛʃəl͵aɪzd] adj. 专门的; 专用的

numerous [ˋnjumərəs] adj. 许多的

universal [͵junəˋvɝs!] adj. 全体的；普遍的

More Information

单词发音

turn up 开大

warm up 加热, 变暖

nomadic [noˋmædɪk] adj. 游牧的

Mongolia [mɑŋˋgoljə] n. 蒙古

kettle [ˋkɛt!] n. 水壶

mutton [ˋmʌtn] n. 羊肉

version [ˋvɝʒən] n.（同一作品的不同）版本

broth [brɔθ] n.（用肉、蔬菜等煮成的清淡的）汤

spirit [ˋspɪrɪt] n. 心情；兴致

Reading Questions

1.   What is the main idea of the passage?

A.  To explain the popularity of hot pot.

B.  To introduce the history of hot pot.  

C.  To debate the origins of hot pot.

D.  To discuss similarities among Asian cuisines.

2.   Which is true about the origins of hot pot?

A.  Hot pot spread from the north to southern regions of China.

B.  Historians can only guess at the cuisine’s origins.

C.  Hot pot originated with nomads in northern China.

D.  The dish first appeared after tribes began to settle in Mongolia.

3.   What can we infer from the passage?

A.  The Japanese are used to a spicier diet than the Koreans.

B.  Chinese culture is more nomadic than Mongolian culture.

C.  Hot pot is eaten in every Asian country.

D.  Hot pot is usually enjoyed during a certain time of year.

Answer