What is hotpot base

Hotpot base is a seasoning used for cooking hotpot dishes, which plays a role in blending and enhancing the flavor of the dishes. The ingredients of hotpot base usually include various seasonings, spices, Sichuan peppercorns, chili peppers, etc., which may vary in different regions and tastes.

Hot pot base can usually be divided into two types: clear soup base and spicy soup base. Clear soup base is usually made by boiling bone marrow, bones, meat bones, etc. It has a delicious taste and is suitable for seafood, meat, and other ingredients with prominent original flavors, without masking the natural aroma of the ingredients. The spicy soup base is mainly made of spicy seasonings such as Sichuan peppercorns and chili peppers, which have a strong spicy flavor and give people a spicy and stimulating taste, suitable for those who prefer spicy flavors.

The process of making hotpot base usually requires selecting high-quality ingredients, mixing and seasoning them in appropriate proportions. The selection of seasonings is crucial, such as soy sauce, bean paste, Sichuan pepper powder, star anise, fragrant leaves, ginger, garlic, etc. These seasonings can give the hotpot base a distinctive flavor. Some special hotpot toppings also add ingredients such as bones or fish heads to enhance the freshness of the dish.

In addition to seasonings, the color, aroma, and taste of the hotpot base are also very important. Generally speaking, the color of hotpot base should be bright red or golden yellow, giving people a feeling of appetite. At the same time, the aroma of the base material should be strong enough to make people have an appetite as soon as they smell it. In terms of taste, hotpot base should have a rich sense of layering, which can bring different flavors and textures to the mouth