1. Start with fresh
roasted, gourmet coffee. Keep coffee in an air-tight container and
store in the refrigerator or freezer to maintain freshness.
2. Use fresh, cold
water. If your tap water is distasteful due to hardness or
treatment, consider using bottled water.
3. Use the correct
grind for your brewing method. If unsure, consult the
manufacturer's instructions.4. Although coffee use will be
dictated by individual taste and brewing method, we recommend
beginning with one tablespoon of coffee to 6 ounces of water.
5. Be sure your
coffee maker is clean. Residues of stale coffee oils will
interfere with good flavor.
6. Use a brewing
method (such as manual drip, plunge pot, vacuum pot, or
high-quality electric drip) which will produce temperatures of 195
- 205 degrees. Never boil or reheat coffee. Serve the beverage as
soon as possible, as it will retain optimum flavor and aroma for
approximately 30 minutes after brewing.
Brew
the Perfect Pot of Tea:
Making a proper pot
of tea is not a mystery known only to the British! Some very
simple rules apply and when followed correctly, will produce the
beverage you will lovingly linger over. Ingredients needed: Good
Tea, Freshly Boiled Water, Patience to wait five minutes.
1. Take a clean
teapot that is either a round earthenware or porcelain pot and
fill it with water from a measuring cup to determine how many 6
ounce cups your teapot holds. Pour out the measured water and
refill your teapot with hot tap water to preheat it. Let it sit
for several minutes to warm and then empty out the water.
2. Measure the loose
tea with a teaspoon measuring size spoon only). Use one level
teaspoon per cup of tea (6 ounces of water). Measure the loose tea
directly into your teapot.
3. Take your empty
teakettle and fill it with cold water from your tap that has been
running for at least one minute to flush out the stale water in
the pipes.
4. Boil the water by
turning your stove to high heat and bring the water to a full
vigorous, rolling, furious, bubbling boil. Never overboil the
water, it will de-aerate and go flat producing a dull and
dead-tasting tea.
5. Have your teapot
next to the kettle in anticipation of the full-boiling moment. At
the point at which the water reaches a full rolling boil, pour the
boiling water into your teapot immediately.
6. Put the lid on
your teapot and wait five minutes. At this point, if you have one,
you may cover the teapot with a tea cozy to slow down the cooling
of the water while the tea is brewing.
7. After you have
waited five minutes, lift the lid and give the tea a quick stir
before serving.
8. Serve immediately
or the tea will be overbrewed. Use a stainless steel strainer to
catch the leaves if you do not have a built-in strainer inside
your teapot.
