[Tetsubin in Summer]

There are about 10 countries in the world, including Japan, where tap water can be drunk directly from the tap. Austria, Iceland, Ireland, Denmark, the Netherlands, Finland, Norway, Sweden, New Zealand, Montenegro, etc., and only Japan in Asia. Japan is one of the few countries where you can drink tap water directly from the tap due to the high quality of the water supply.

Japan is experiencing a daily heat wave, and although tap water is drinkable as it is, is it like hot water? The reason is that in addition to the rising temperature of the rivers that are the source of the water, household water pipes are often buried shallow from the ground, making them more susceptible to the effects of geothermal heat. And in summer, water sources are more susceptible than in other seasons to moldy odors released by algae and other phytoplankton, and to chalky odors caused by disinfection to remove bacteria. However, there are ways to reduce the odor of tap water at home by boiling it or using activated carbon.

When boiling tap water, it seems a good idea to use a tetsubin (iron kettle) because it provides iron, which is good for summer fatigue. Summer is a time when iron, which is responsible for delivering oxygen to the body along with large amounts of sweat, is easily leaked out of the body. If iron is deficient, the amount of oxygen carried to the body is reduced, causing fatigue and a feeling of listlessness. How about supplementing iron not only in your diet, but also by using a tetsubin, iron pot, or iron frying pan?

We tend to think of tetsubin as a winter tool, but we encourage you to use them in summer as well. The best way to care for your tetsubin is to use it regularly, preferably daily. Little by little, hot water stains on the tetsubin, resulting in milder white water. There are many crafts of nurturing tools, and the tetsubin is one of them. We would like to make good use of it.

Chobundo's Tetsubin
https://www.shokunin.com/en/chobundo/
Rikucho Ogasawara's Tetsubin
https://www.shokunin.com/en/rikucho/tetsubin.html
Tsuchiya Orimonosho's Pot Holder
https://www.shokunin.com/en/tsuchiya/

References
https://10mtv.jp/pc/column/article.php?column_article_id=3190
https://www.mlit.go.jp/mizukokudo/mizsei/mizukokudo_mizsei_fr2_000050.html
https://www.maplelink.co.jp/blog/tap_water_water_temperature/
https://www.mizsei.co.jp/mizu-niou/
https://www.nhk.or.jp/shutoken/ohayo/20200915c.html
https://chobundo-onlineshop.com/blog/2624/