After the summer solstice, the weather becomes increasingly hot, and in the southern regions with persistent heavy rainfall, humidity is high, making it feel particularly muggy.

Many people believe that when the weather gets hotter, they should drink more cold beverages to cool down, and they can't help but consume more iced drinks and chilled foods.

However, during the scorching summer months, drinking cold beverages for cooling down is only a temporary solution and excessive consumption of cold items may actually be detrimental to health. On the contrary, the hotter the weather, the more appropriate it is to drink something warm.

The Hotter the Weather, the More Refreshing Hot Tea Is

In hot weather, the body temperature is elevated, and drinking cold or icy water suddenly is like pouring water on a fire; it can achieve the purpose of “extinguishing the flames and lowering the temperature” in the short term, but the fire is likely to die out quickly.

Lutong's “Poem of Seven Bowls of Tea” states:

One bowl moistens throat and lips. Two bowls dispel loneliness and melancholy.

Three bowls clear the mind, with five thousand scrolls of text swirling within. Four bowls induce a light sweat, dissipating all the troubles of life through the pores.

Five bowls cleanse the muscles and bones. Six bowls connect one to the divine.

Seven bowls are too much, yet one feels a gentle breeze rising from beneath the armpits.

In the sweltering heat of summer, iced beverages provide an immediate “refreshing chill,” while hot drinks facilitate perspiration, offering a “slow and steady” continuous effect, allowing for gradual heat dissipation without harming the body's natural balance.

The Hotter the Weather, the Healthier Drinking Hot Tea Is

In high temperatures, many people tend to experience recurring gastrointestinal issues. Warm tea is gentle and non-irritating, making it more suitable for sensitive individuals.

For those with a constitution prone to coldness and sensitive individuals, it's best not to indulge excessively in cold beverages during the summer. Instead, opt for dark teas that have undergone post-fermentation, which are warm in nature, smooth and non-irritating, with a rich flavor that suits all ages.

On a summer afternoon, steep a pot of dark tea, let it cool to a comfortably warm temperature, and enjoy it. It refreshes and soothes, promoting health and longevity—what could be more delightful?