Vacuum brewing method
Devices and methods for infusing liquids and/or brewing beverages are described. The present invention relates to an apparatus for brewing beverages having a vessel, said vessel including a sealable chamber for holding a brewing material and a liquid, and a filter assembly connected to the sealable chamber; a liquid supply and conduit for introducing at least a portion of said liquid supply into said sealable chamber; and a vacuum source and conduit for reducing pressure in said sealable chamber.
1. A beverage brewing process comprising the steps of:
placing a desired amount of a brewing material into a chamber;
placing a desired amount of liquid into the chamber;
sealing the chamber from the surrounding atmosphere;
applying a negative pressure within the chamber while sealed from atmosphere and allowing the brewing material and the liquid to brew in the chamber under the influence of the negative pressure for a first period of time;
applying a positive pressure within the chamber and allowing the brewing material and the liquid to brew in the chamber under the influence of the positive pressure for a second period of time; and
separating brewed liquid from the brewing material during the step of applying a positive pressure to create the beverage.
2. The process of claim 1 , wherein the step of applying a positive pressure comprises applying a first pressure and subsequently applying a second pressure, and wherein the first and second pressures are different.
3. The process of claim 1 , wherein the positive pressure is between 1 and 10 psig.
4. The process of claim 1 , wherein the positive pressure is above 10 psig.
5. The process of claim 1 , wherein the step of applying a positive pressure comprises pulsing of positive pressure.
6. The process of claim 1 , wherein the step of separating the brewed liquid from the brewing material comprises applying a positive pressure sufficient to push the brewed liquid through a filter.
7. The process of claim 1 further comprising:
repeating the step of applying the negative pressure within the chamber.
8. The process of claim 1 , wherein the step of applying a positive pressure comprises supplying a gas to the chamber.
9. The process of claim 8 , wherein the gas comprises at least one of air, carbon dioxide or nitrogen.
10. The process of claim 1 , wherein the liquid is water.
11. The process of claim 1 , wherein the brewing material comprises ground coffee.
12. The process of claim 1 , wherein the brewing material comprises tea leaves.