Eating Your Way Across China 129want to drink room temperature or cold water, be sure to
order bottled water, and in more remote places, watch them
put the bottle on the table and assure that it is sealed. There
are rumours that enterprising individuals collect used water
bottles and refill them with tap water.
Alcohol
The Chinese expression jiu means alcohol. Bai jiu is a
potent grain-based liquor. Pi jiu is beer. Hong jiu is red wine.
Ingredients used in Chinese alcoholic beverages are varied,
although sorghum-based mao tai, hop-based beers and grape-
based wines are most commonly consumed.
Chinese people have a strong tradition of drinking alcohol.
Most drinking is done while eating out, with family, friends
or business associates. Be prepared, drinking marathons
occur at formal banquets, whether a festival, a wedding or
a business function. It is against Chinese tradition to drink
on an empty stomach.
One of the most famous rice wines, called Shaoxing wine,
is from Zhejiang Province which neighbours Shanghai to
the south. In addition to being a favourite drinking wine,
A bartender behind the counter, pouring beer, or pi jiu, for customers.