If your TikTok feed has suddenly turned into a loop of people simmering apples, sipping warm water, and leaning hard into cozy winter routines, you are seeing the rise of what many users are calling the “Chinese era”. The vibe is simple and intentionally seasonal, with warm drinks, warm foods, and a calmer pace meant to match colder months. The trend has also picked up a joking nickname that translates to “becoming Chinese,” but the point is not identity. It is about borrowing comforting habits that viewers associate with traditional Chinese wellness and everyday culture.
In the videos, people describe “entering their era” when they start choosing warm water instead of iced drinks and paying more attention to digestion. They also talk about slowing down in winter and building small rituals that feel grounding. The routines are often presented as a reset from a frantic schedule, and the appeal is that nothing looks extreme or expensive. It is mostly a pot on the stove, a mug in hand, and a decision to be gentler with yourself.
The trend was largely popularized by Chinese creators sharing their day to day winter habits, from seasonal eating to traditional practices focused on warmth. As those clips spread, viewers who are not Chinese began recreating the routines and framing them as their own winter upgrade. That replication is exactly what makes it viral, because the steps are easy to copy and easy to film. The algorithm also loves repeatable formats, and these routines fit neatly into short, soothing videos.
Unlike many internet fads that spark backlash, this one has been received mostly positively because it is being driven by Chinese creators and framed as learning rather than mocking. Many commenters emphasize that it is not about “rebranding” someone else’s culture, but about watching people openly share their customs and trying them with respect. The tone matters, and the dominant tone here is admiration and curiosity. In other words, it is less costume and more comfort.
@whitneyausbon In my Chinese era 🍎 Yes, I know I should clean my stove. @sherry #sherry #hotwater #apples #momsover30 #healthy ♬ un homme et une femme – 🎀
One creator mentioned in the conversation around the trend is Sherry, who said she is glad when people take the habits seriously and start asking questions about food, health, and winter routines. That kind of response helps explain why the trend is sticking. When viewers treat the routines as an invitation to learn, it feels more like cultural exchange than a punchline. It also pushes people to look beyond the aesthetic and ask what the habits mean to the people who practice them.
A big piece of the routine is swapping ice cold drinks for warm water, especially during winter. The idea repeated in these videos is that cold water can bother digestion, so warm water is framed as the kinder choice. People also talk about winter as a “yin” season, meaning a time for slowing down, resting more, and choosing warming meals. In practice, that shows up as more stews and porridge like bowls, and fewer raw foods that feel “cold” to the body.
Then there is the snack that kicked off a lot of the copying, cooked apples. The preparation is straightforward, with apples simmered until soft, and some people add goji berries and Chinese red dates. Creators describe it as something that feels good for digestion and fits the winter theme. The visuals do a lot of work, because a steaming bowl looks comforting and signals “self care” without needing a long explanation.
The broader routine also includes conserving energy in winter rather than going full throttle year round. People in these videos suggest fewer intense workouts and more gentle movement like yoga, along with extra sleep and relaxation. Another small habit that shows up is avoiding walking barefoot on cold floors, which ties back to the obsession with staying warm. Put together, it is a checklist of tiny choices that all point in the same direction.
What makes this trend resonate is that it sells a mood more than a strict plan. It is basically an argument for warmth, rest, and listening to your body when the weather turns harsh. Even if you do not buy every claim made in a viral clip, the core message is not complicated. Build a routine that feels supportive, and do it in a way that stays respectful to where the inspiration came from.
For some extra context, the seasonal approach people reference is often associated with Traditional Chinese Medicine, which includes ideas about balancing warmth and cold and adjusting habits throughout the year. The yin and yang framework is commonly discussed as a way to describe complementary forces, with winter frequently linked to quieter energy and restoration. Apples themselves are a classic comfort food in many cultures, and cooking them makes them softer and easier to eat, while still keeping their fiber. Ingredients like goji berries and red dates are widely used in Chinese cooking, often in soups and teas, which is why they show up so often in these winter routine videos.
If you have tried the warm water and cooked apple routine or have thoughts on the “Chinese era” trend, share your take in the comments.
