Methods 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 method for brewing tea utilizing a 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 dispensing outlet for dispensing brewed tea; and
the method comprising:
(a) introducing tea leaves into the container;
(b) closing the lid;
(c) introducing steam into the container;
(d) introducing hot liquid into the container;
(e) agitating the strainer;
(f) recirculating tea through the device; and
(g) dispensing tea from the dispensing outlet.
2. The method of claim 1 , further comprising introducing steam subsequent to step (d).
3. A method for brewing tea utilizing a 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;
(e) a heating element extending into the container; and
the method comprising:
(a) introducing tea leaves into the container;
(b) closing the lid;
(c) introducing steam into the container;
(d) introducing liquid into the container and heating the liquid in the container by actuating the heating element;
(e) agitating the strainer;
(f) recirculating tea through the device; and
(g) dispensing tea from the dispensing outlet.
4. The method of claim 3 , further comprising introducing steam subsequent to step (d).
5. A method for brewing tea utilizing a 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;
(e) an LED that changes color after any of steps (a)-(g) is performed or that changes color or provides another type of indication to indicate when the tea is steeping, brewing, or ready for dispensing; and
the method comprising:
(a) introducing tea leaves into the container;
(b) closing the lid;
(c) introducing steam into the container;
(d) introducing hot liquid into the container;
(e) agitating the strainer;
(f) recirculating tea through the device; and
(g) dispensing tea from the dispensing outlet.
6. The method of claim 5 , further comprising introducing steam subsequent to step (d).