Crafted by a potter named M Sivasamy, this clay pot was designed to help keep produce cool for days.
He made a cylindrical pot made out of clay with a tap on one side and an outlet to pour water on the other side. A smaller pot fits inside the bigger one where you can place your vegetables which is then covered with a lid. The technology is simple — the water in the pot remains cool keeping the vegetables fresh and cool. - BetterIndia
For places with no or limited electricity, this could help immensely. Especially considering terracotta(earthenware) clay is almost used worldwide.
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I was replying to dbx12 - they are implying that this method has only just been discovered. It’s been known for hundreds of years, these articles are gaining traction in western media as if its a new discovery and we should applaud how clever the locals are.
Fair enough though, this article wasn’t, but my point stands.
I think this type of cooling is known in the western world as well for long time. Usually in the form of unglazed terracotta jugs for cooling drinking water. It just turned out refrigerators are way better and faster at it, so the good ol’ jug went into the museum.
I mean swamp coolers have been used just about everywhere so if media is making it out as new at all they kinda just haven’t done their research lol