How much water should be added to the hot pot base? Hot topics and practical guides across the Internet
Recently, "how much water to add to the hot pot base" has become a hot topic on social platforms. Especially when the autumn and winter hot pot seasons are approaching, related discussions have soared. This article will combine the hot data of the entire network in the past 10 days to provide you with scientific matching suggestions and practical tips.
1. Statistics of hot spots across the entire network (last 10 days)

| platform | Related topic readings | core points of dispute |
|---|---|---|
| 120 million | Differences in water adding ratio between commercial and household use | |
| Douyin | 86 million | Internet celebrity “waterless hotpot” challenge |
| little red book | 52 million | Regional taste preference survey |
| Zhihu | 3.8 million | Analysis from a food science perspective |
2. Guide to the water ratio of mainstream base ingredients
| Base type | Recommended amount of water | Applicable scenarios |
|---|---|---|
| Butter spicy type | 500ml water/100g base | Sichuan and Chongqing region preference |
| Clear oil spicy type | 600ml water/100g base | medium spicy lovers |
| Mushroom soup health type | 800ml water/100g base | family dinner |
| Sweet and sour tomato | 700ml water/100g base | Suitable for children and the elderly |
3. Key findings from netizens’ actual measurements
1.Concentration experiment:Tests by food blogger @hotpotbureau showed that a 10% increase or decrease in water volume will significantly affect the saltiness, but the spiciness will not change significantly.
2.Regional differences:Northern netizens generally report that they need to add 50-100ml more water, while southern users prefer to add less water to retain the original flavor.
3.Scientific explanation:Zhihu Food Engineer pointed out that the sodium glutamate in the base material has the best flavor at a specific concentration (1.2-1.5g/L).
4. Three-step adjustment method for professional chefs
1.Initial water addition:Add 80% of the water amount specified on the package, leaving room for adjustment
2.Boil and taste:After boiling, scoop out the clear soup and taste it separately to avoid ingredients interfering with judgment.
3.Make up in installments:Add no more than 50ml of hot water each time and observe the fusion effect after 3 minutes.
5. Special scene processing plan
| situation | Coping methods | Principle explanation |
|---|---|---|
| Too much water added | Add 1/4 cube of soup stock or make bone broth | Supplement flavoring substances |
| Add soup halfway | Mix boiling water and original soup in a ratio of 1:3 | Maintain flavor balance |
| Use of electric hot pot | Add 10% less water than open flame | Evaporation difference |
6. Observation of new trends in 2023
1.Accurate quantification:Measuring cups and kitchen scales are popular among young people and they pursue standardized operations.
2.Health Reform:35% of respondents would reduce the amount of base ingredients and add fresh spices to enhance the flavor
3.Smart devices:New hot pot machines have a "smart seasoning" function that automatically adjusts concentration through sensors
Mastering the scientific water-adding ratio can not only retain the essence of the hot pot base, but also be flexibly adjusted according to personal taste. It is recommended to conduct a sample test when using a new brand of base material for the first time to record the golden ratio that is most suitable for your family.
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