"The habit of consuming hot drink or food above 70oC increases the risk of Oesophagus cancer (passage from the mouth to th estomach)" says Oliver Childs, cancer research, UK OSCC (Oesophageal Squamous Cell Carcinoma) kills more than 500,000 people around the world and is predominantly in Asia and this is closely link to the fact that Asian people like to serve their drink or food hot. Temperature above 70oC will damage the lining of the throat (oesophageal).
Smoking and high consumption of alcohol is a predominant factor to develop cancer in the West. The survey shows that in the nortyern part of Iran (Golestan) where most of the locals do not consume alcohol or smoke has the highest percentage of suffering OSCC cancer. It is revealed that they like to sip hot tea and it is almost ceremonial for them. Averagely they consume one liter a day.

For the sake comparison : Drinking tea or coffee at 65 to 69oC will double the risk of develooping OSCC cancer than bellow 65oC. While drinking above 70oC will be eightfold (x8). The speed of drinking or eating is also essential.
There is no exception in food as well. Food that comes out straight from the microwave can easily reach 80oC or more depending on the intensity level (medium, medium high, high).
So how do we enjoy our hot cocoa, milo or favorite green tea or the hot herbal chicken soup worry free?
IRtek MiniIR thermometer is an infrared non-contact thermometer using a state of art technology can measure temperature of your favorite drink food in less than one second.
It is small, light weight and has a key chain hole that can be bundled up along with yo8ur house key, so that you will not leave home without it. It comes in handy as you might find it useful to check your baby's bottle, baby's bath, air conditioning, car radiator, and even a quick check for your fore head temperature when needs arisen.
Tips for tea lovers or connoisseurs : Do you know that some teas cannot be brewed with water that is too hot while others can For example, Poole, Oolong, Tieh Kuan-Yin, or red tea are brewes with wish eye water, which is about 100oC (212oF). Delicate teas such as light green tea and flower teas use sightly cooler water at around 80 to 85oC (176 to 185oF).

Ref : THE WAY OF TEA (the subline art of Oriental Tea Drinking) Master Lam Kam Chuen

publish : 2009/03/27 news.bbc.co.uk