IPOH: More residents here are seeking cool reprieve from the hot weather by taking cold drinks and cooling treats.
At a Chinese herbal drink stall in the city, seller Tham Zhi Hong, 24, said customers have been flocking in for traditional beverages said to help reduce body heat.
“Many people have been buying bitter herbal tea as it helps to cool the body and relieve heat.
“Despite its bitter taste, the tea is popular because it helps reduce body heat and provides relief for cough, flu and sore throat,” he said when met at his shop yesterday.
Tham said other drinks such as chrysanthemum sugarcane tea is also popular among customers looking to beat the heat.
“We usually see people coming in as early as 10am and again from about noon onwards to buy the drinks.
“On average, from February until now, we see about 100 customers a day, compared to around 50 previously,” he added.
However, he believes the situation may gradually improve.
Co-owner of a soya bean outlet Tan Han Seng, 42, said their tau fu fah and chilled soy milk have been especially popular during the hot weather.
“Customers come in as early as 9.30am for tau fu fah and soya bean milk as these help cool down the body,” he said.
He added that the grass jelly (cincau) drink is in demand too.
“Currently, we sell about 400 containers of tau fu fah, 200 packets of soya bean milk and around 100 packets of cincau drinks a day,” he said.
Residents here are also finding their own ways to cope with the heat.
Salesman S. Siva, 32, said that he prefers drinking soya bean milk and chrysanthemum tea to cope with the hot weather.
“These drinks help cool down the body. I cannot really take the heat. Now that it has been raining, I think the weather will slowly get better,” he added.
Supervisor Suraya Sahabani, 22, said she prefers drinking iced plain water to stay cool.
“Before the fasting month, I usually drink plain water or iced water. I believe it is one of the best ways to keep the body cool,” she said.
She added that she also avoids spending too much time outdoors and keeps track of weather updates.
