Ice and iced water have been popular with rulers and other rich folk from way back (~ 3000BC) in Mesopotamia, through the Egyptians, Greeks, Romans, Chinese/Mongols, Mughals and most of medieval Europe (and in all cases, the ice had to be shipped over from the nearest mountains).Proton Soup said:i don't know how universal it is, but it is at least mentioned in the bible, way before refrigeration.
Gokul43201 said:Ice and iced water have been popular with rulers and other rich folk from way back (~ 3000BC) in Mesopotamia, through the Egyptians, Greeks, Romans, Chinese/Mongols, Mughals and most of medieval Europe (and in all cases, the ice had to be shipped over from the nearest mountains).
In most of these cases (particularly in Egypt, the Middle East and India), it was likely just the natural antidote to really hot weather.
Extravagant? What would you call making a hundred thousand slaves haul millions of tons of rock for over a dozen years, to build a giant box with a tolerance of better than 0.1% on all dimensions, to chuck your carcass into?Proton Soup said:wasn't aware of that. stories of say the french making ice cream type desserts with ice shipped in from the alps isn't too surprising, but getting it to egypt seems extravagant unless I'm less familiar with the geography than i think i am.
slaves
Right, I guess I was being a little too fast and loose with that description (no doubt the other numbers in it are also only roughly correct). I think I saw that one too (or something similar on the History channel), but it's been a while. I can't recall what it did say about the laborers, other than that there was a more complicated social structure than just the common image of the slave-master relationship.Blenton said:Not by what they said on National Geographic.
There are a few reasons why people generally prefer the taste of cold water over warm water. One possible explanation is that cold water has a lower temperature, which can help numb taste buds and reduce the perception of any unpleasant flavors. Additionally, cold water may also seem more refreshing and thirst-quenching, making it more enjoyable to drink.
While some people may simply prefer the taste of cold water, there are also scientific reasons why it may be perceived as tasting better. Our taste buds are more sensitive to temperature than we realize, and the colder the water is, the less we are able to taste any bitter or unpleasant flavors. So it may not be purely a matter of personal preference.
Yes, the temperature of water can have a significant impact on its taste. As mentioned, colder water can help mask any unpleasant flavors, while warm water can make these flavors more noticeable. Additionally, the temperature of water can also affect its texture and mouthfeel, which can also play a role in how we perceive its taste.
While there is no scientific evidence to suggest that cold water is inherently healthier than warm water, there are some potential benefits to drinking cold water. For example, cold water can help speed up metabolism and keep you hydrated, as it is absorbed by the body more quickly than warm water.
Yes, the type of water can impact its taste. For example, tap water may have a different taste than filtered or bottled water due to impurities and added minerals. Additionally, the source of the water, such as a natural spring or a municipal water supply, can also affect its taste. However, the temperature of the water is still likely to have a greater impact on taste than the type of water.