Beverage preparation composition and package
A beverage preparation package including a container defining a multiplicity of openings, and a beverage preparation composition positioned in the container. The beverage preparation composition includes a microwave susceptor and a beverage precursor. In some cases, the beverage preparation composition includes a particulate beverage precursor and a particulate microwave susceptor. The particulate beverage precursor typically includes a plant material, such as coffee beans, tea leaves, herbs, or the like. Preparing a beverage includes contacting water with a beverage preparation package including a beverage preparation composition and water, irradiating the water with microwave radiation to vaporize at least a portion of the water, thereby imparting a flavor from the beverage preparation composition to the water to yield the beverage. The beverage preparation composition can be separated from the beverage.
1. A beverage preparation composition comprising:
a particulate beverage precursor; and
a particulate microwave susceptor,
wherein the particulate microwave susceptor and the particulate beverage precursor are combined to form the beverage preparation composition.
2. The beverage preparation composition of claim 1 , wherein the particulate beverage precursor is insoluble in water.
3. The beverage preparation composition of claim 1 , wherein the particulate beverage precursor comprises plant-based material.
4. The beverage preparation composition of claim 1 , wherein the plant-based material comprises coffee beans, tea leaves, herbs, fruit, or a combination thereof.
5. The beverage preparation composition of claim 1 , wherein the beverage preparation composition comprises a mixture of the particulate beverage precursor and the particulate microwave susceptor.
6. The beverage preparation composition of claim 1 , wherein the particulate beverage precursor, the particulate microwave susceptor, or both, are spherical or cube-shaped.
7. The beverage preparation composition of claim 1 , wherein the particulate microwave susceptor comprises a magnetic, paramagnetic, or ferromagnetic material.
8. The beverage preparation composition of claim 1 , wherein the particulate microwave susceptor comprises a metal.
9. The beverage preparation composition of claim 1 , wherein the particulate microwave susceptor comprises a metal oxide.
10. The beverage preparation composition of claim 9 , wherein the metal oxide comprises an iron oxide.
11. The beverage preparation composition of claim 10 , wherein the iron oxide comprises ferrite, magnetite, hematite, or any combination thereof.
12. The beverage preparation composition of claim 8 , wherein the metal comprises iron, aluminum, or stainless steel.
13. The beverage preparation composition of claim 1 , wherein the particulate microwave susceptor comprises a ceramic.
14. The beverage preparation composition of claim 1 , wherein the particulate microwave susceptor comprises one or more of a carbonate, hydroxide, nitrate, silicate, or sulfide.
15. The beverage preparation composition of claim 1 , wherein the particulate microwave susceptor has an electromagnetic radiation absorption coefficient of greater than about 60 m −1 (1.5 in −1 ) at standard ambient temperature and pressure at a microwave radiation frequency of 2,450 MHz.
16. The beverage preparation composition of claim 1 , wherein a weight ratio of the particulate beverage precursor to the particulate microwave susceptor is in a range of 1:1 to 1:40.
17. A beverage preparation package comprising:
a container defining a multiplicity of openings; and
a beverage preparation composition positioned in the container, wherein the beverage preparation composition comprises a particulate beverage precursor and a particulate microwave susceptor, and the particulate microwave susceptor and the particulate beverage precursor are combined to form the beverage preparation composition.
18. The beverage preparation package of claim 17 , wherein a shape of the openings is circular, semicircular, half-moon, ellipsoidal, rectangular, or a combination thereof.
19. The beverage preparation package of claim 17 , wherein the container is a porous nonwoven material, woven material, or mesh.
20. A method of preparing a beverage, the method comprising:
contacting water with a beverage preparation package comprising a beverage preparation composition, wherein the beverage preparation composition comprises a particulate beverage precursor and a particulate microwave susceptor, wherein the particulate microwave susceptor and the particulate beverage precursor are combined to form the beverage preparation composition; and
irradiating the water with microwave radiation to vaporize at least a portion of the water, thereby imparting a flavor from the beverage preparation composition to the water to yield the beverage.
21. The beverage preparation package of claim 17 , wherein the container comprises a porous material, and the openings comprise pores in the porous material.
22. The beverage preparation package of claim 17 , wherein the particulate beverage precursor, the particulate microwave susceptor, or both, are spherical or cube-shaped.