Devices for brewing and/or steeping tea
Shown are devices and methods for brewing and steeping tea. The devices and methods for brewing and steeping tea utilize steam, heated liquid, agitation, and recirculation.
1. A device for brewing tea, the device comprising:
(a) a tea container, the container comprising:
(i) a lid;
(ii) a strainer for straining and/or filtering tea;
(iii) a steam inlet for introducing steam into the container
(iv) a liquid inlet for introducing liquid into the container;
(v) an outlet for removing strained tea from the container; and
(vi) a recirculation inlet for receiving recirculated tea from the strained tea outlet;
(b) an agitator for agitating the contents of the container;
(c) a pump comprising:
(i) a pump inlet for receiving strained tea from the strained tea outlet of the container; and
(ii) a pump outlet for returning recirculated tea into the container through the recirculation inlet; and
(d) a line connecting the strained tea outlet of the container and the pump inlet of the pump, the line comprising a dispensing outlet for dispensing brewed tea.
2. The device of claim 1 , wherein the steam inlet and the liquid inlet are positioned in the lid.
3. The device of claim 1 , further comprising a heating element extending into the container.
4. The device of claim 3 , further comprising a control unit for the heating element.
5. The device of claim 1 , further comprising a heating element for heating the liquid prior to the liquid being introduced through the liquid inlet.
6. The device of claim 5 , further comprising a control device for the heating element.
7. The device of claim 6 , wherein the control device comprises a lever, dial, knob, slider, or other user interface for adjusting the temperature of the heating element.
8. The device of claim 1 , wherein the dispensing outlet comprises a dispensing valve that is operated by a lever for opening and closing the valve.
9. The device of claim 1 , wherein the container comprises transparent polymeric and/or glass material.
10. The device of claim 1 , further comprising a second line connecting the pump outlet of the pump and the recirculation inlet of the container.
11. The device of claim 1 , wherein the agitator is an electro-mechanical agitator.
12. The device of claim 1 , further comprising a signal to indicate when the tea is steeping, brewing, or ready for dispensing.
13. The device of claim 12 , wherein the signal is an LED that changes color, or a digital, mechanical, or electro-mechanical pointer.
14. The device of claim 1 , wherein the pump is a positive displacement pump.
15. The device of claim 1 , wherein the lid further comprises a handle or other ergonomic device for removing the lid from the container.
16. The device of claim 1 , wherein the device further includes a transmitter for sending a signal to a mobile communication device and/or a receiver for receiving a signal from a mobile communication device.
17. The device of claim 16 , wherein the signal transmitted to the mobile communication device informs the mobile communication device that brewing and/or steeping has begun and/or is complete.
18. The device of claim 16 , wherein the signal received from the mobile communication device informs the brewing/steeping device to begin and/or stop brewing and/or steeping.