JP2002306345A - Device and method for extracting tea - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a black tea extracting method to securely extract flavor of black tea and a black tea extracting device to automatically perform the method to obtain tea with good taste. SOLUTION: This black tea extracting device is equipped at least with an extracting vessel in which tea leaves are mixed into hot water to produce extracted liquid, a tea serving rack connectable to the bottom part of the extracting vessel, a hot water server to supply hot water with hardness over 70, pH 7.0-8.5, and temperature over 95 deg.C containing foamed air or saturatedly or supersaturatedly dissolved air, a tea supplying means to separate and guide out the extracted liquid from the bottom part of the extracting vessel to a cup placed under the tea supplying rack, and an automatic controller to adjust and operate an extracting condition to within a desired range. Black tea leaves in the extracting vessel is mixed into hot water and settled and then only black tea liquid above the bottom layer where tea leaves are settled is recovered.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a black tea extracting apparatus, and more particularly to a black tea for obtaining a delicious black tea liquid with good reproducibility and without any skill, based on the traditional method of making black tea in the United Kingdom. The present invention relates to an extraction method and a black tea extraction device suitable for reliably and easily carrying out such a black tea extraction method.

[0002]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION Black tea was invented in the 1600s and used as a premium beverage in the United Kingdom, and spread as a British national beverage in the 1700s, at the time of Queen Victoria's reign. It was called Victorian Tee, and gradually spread throughout the world. However, black tea, which is widely consumed in this way, may become more astringent depending on how it is used.
In many cases, the original taste cannot be extracted.

[0003] In some cases, a package of black tea as a product is accompanied by a piece of paper or the like that describes a preferred method of mixing black tea, but it is not always necessary to bring out the taste of black tea according to the recommended usage. Is not always possible.

[0004]

Accordingly, the present inventors have studied the conditions for extracting black tea, proposed a method for extracting black tea that can reliably bring out the flavor of black tea, and proposed the newly proposed method for extracting black tea. It is an object of the present invention to provide a novel black tea extracting apparatus, which can automatically carry out the black tea without requiring skill.

[0005]

According to the present invention, there is provided an apparatus for extracting black tea which can achieve the above object, comprising: an extraction container for mixing tea leaves in boiling water to produce an extract; Tea tray that can be connected to the bottom of the
A hot water supply device capable of supplying hot water at a temperature of 95 ° C. or more containing foamed air or saturated or supersaturated dissolved air having a pH of 7.0 to 8.5, and separating the extract from the bottom of the extraction container Tea supply means for drawing out and feeding the cup placed under the tea supply stand, and at least an automatic control device for adjusting the extraction condition of black tea to a desired range and performing a driving operation, The extraction container is characterized in that an extraction liquid nozzle provided with a filtering means above the bottom surface is formed at the bottom.

In the black tea extracting apparatus of the present invention, the extract liquid nozzle is reversibly liquid-tight with respect to a female extract liquid nozzle seat provided on the tea supply stand and constituting a part of the tea supply means. By being configured to be fitted, there is an advantage that the extraction container can be easily attached and detached, and the removal and cleaning of the tea leaves is extremely easy.

[0007] Further, when a hot water supply nozzle which can be inserted into the extract liquid nozzle and can supply the hot water into the extraction container is provided in the extract liquid nozzle seat, the extract liquid nozzle seat is provided. Since the hot water is directly supplied from the hot water supply nozzle to the extraction container attached above via the extract liquid nozzle, the temperature of the hot water in contact with the tea leaves does not decrease. If one or more nozzle ports are provided to emit in a substantially horizontal direction, the hot water injected from the nozzle ports will agitate the tea leaves in the extraction container, and the action of the temperature of the hot water and the stirring will cause the black tea to stir. This has the effect of improving the extraction efficiency.

When the extraction container is formed of a substantially cylindrical body made of glass and is provided with a handle and a lid protruding laterally, not only is the handling of the extraction container easy, but also the extraction container is easy to handle. Observe the condition of the tea leaves and extract inside,
There is an advantage that operating conditions such as extraction time can be adjusted.

Further, in the black tea extracting apparatus of the present invention, the hot water supply apparatus can prepare water having a hardness (CaCO ₃ mg / L) of 70 or more and a pH of 7.0 to 8.5. If it is configured with a container, there is no need to transport the water to the installation location of the device, and it is possible to use the water supplied from the appropriate water source as it is, so you can taste especially delicious tea anywhere. There are advantages that can be.

On the other hand, in the method for extracting black tea which can achieve the object of the present invention, the extraction container containing a required amount of black tea leaves has a hardness of 70 or more and a pH of 7.0 to 8.5. A required amount of hot water containing foamed air or saturated or supersaturated dissolved air at a temperature of 95 ° C. or higher is poured and the black tea leaves are stirred and mixed in the hot water, and then left standing for a predetermined time to remove the black tea leaves. After the sedimentation and sedimentation at the bottom of the extraction container, the gist of the present invention is to collect an extract at a position higher than the bottom without disturbing the sedimentary layer of the tea leaves.

In such a method for extracting black tea of the present invention, the black tea leaves used are preferably those which have been strongly twisted and then sheared, and the hot water used has a hardness (CaCO ₃ mg / L) is preferably obtained from water having a pH of 70 or more and a pH of 7.0 to 8.5. By using such a combination of tea leaves and boiling water, it is possible to obtain an extract that is more sweet, mellow, less astringent, and has excellent aroma and color tone.

[0012]

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS A black tea extracting apparatus according to the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. In the figure, 1 is a hot water supply device,
The water quality is adjusted by the water conditioner 1a, does not contain chlorine or the like, has a hardness (CaCO ₃ mg / L) of 70 or more, and has a pH of 7.0 to 7.0.
8.5 is supplied to the boiler 1b, becomes hot water, and is sent out to the hot water supply pipe 1d by the hot water supply pump 1c. It is configured to circulate back to the boiler 1b.
The boiler 1b is provided with a heat source such as an electric heater, and is controlled so that the temperature of the hot water can be maintained at 95 ° C or higher, preferably 97 to 99 ° C. The boiler 1b is provided with an air pump 1f so that a small amount of air can be contained in hot water circulating in a pressurized state.

[0013] A plurality of extraction container pedestals 2a are provided side by side on the upper part of the tea gantry 2 for placing a desired number of extraction containers 3, and the lower part of the extraction container pedestal 2a is provided below. A number of cup holders 2b corresponding to the number 2a are provided. A female extract nozzle seat 4a having an inverted conical fitting surface is provided at a central position of each of the extraction container receiving stands 2a, and projects downward from the bottom of the extraction container 3. Provided male conical extraction liquid nozzle 3a
And can be fitted in a liquid-tight manner. Reference numeral 5 denotes an extraction container cover made of glass or the like placed on the extraction container receiving table 2a.

An electromagnetic on-off valve 4b is connected to a lower portion of the extract nozzle seat 4a.
, The tea liquor 4c is connected to the pouring nozzle 4c facing the upper side of the cup holder 2b, so that the tea liquor received at the extract liquid nozzle seat 4a can be poured into the cup 7. Is composed. On the other hand, inside the extract nozzle seat 4a, a hot water supply header 1e is connected to an electromagnetic pouring valve 1g.
Pouring pipe 1h branching out through the pipe,
One or more nozzle ports 1j are formed in the pouring nozzle 1i attached to the tip of h in such a manner as to extend substantially in the horizontal direction.

The extraction container 3 is a substantially cylindrical container made of, for example, hard glass and has a hole in the center of the bottom and an open upper end. Then, in order to obtain an amount of extract according to the desired number of customers, prepare ones having different diameters but uniform heights,
It is desirable to select and use one having an appropriate capacity from among them. However, it is preferable that these extraction vessels 3 having different capacities have the same size and the same bottom structure, and are configured to be interchangeable.

A hole at the bottom of the extraction container 3 is
From the inside downward, a short tubular seat body 3 with a flange
The lower part of b is inserted, and the base of the extraction liquid nozzle 3a with a flange attached to the hole of the bottom from below via a packing 3c or the like is screwed and fastened to the lower part of the seat 3b. On the upper part of the seat 3b, for example, a filter net 3d of a tubular shape or the like is attached so that even if the tea leaves in the extraction container 3 settle, they do not enter the inside of the seat 3b. . In order to facilitate the handling, the extraction container 3 is provided with a handle 3e by an appropriate handle attaching means.
Is preferably attached to the outer side surface, and it is desirable to prepare a lid 3f for covering the opening at the upper end.

When the extraction container 3 is placed on the extraction container pedestal 2a such that the tip of the extraction liquid nozzle 3a of the extraction container 3 having the above structure is aligned with the extraction liquid nozzle seat 4a, The extraction liquid nozzle 3a is connected to the extraction liquid nozzle seat 4a.
To the upper part of the device, and to connect them in a liquid-tight manner. At this time, the pouring nozzle 1i protruding from the inside of the extract nozzle seat 4a is inserted upward into the extract nozzle 3a. The nozzle port 1j is configured to reach a position beyond the upper end of the seat 3b. Therefore, the hot water ejected from the nozzle port 1j in the horizontal direction passes through the lower portion of the filter net 3d and gushes into the extraction container 3, so that the contents of the extraction container 3 are stirred by the hot water.

Hot water supply apparatus 1 and tea gantry 2 as described above
And the extraction container 3 of the present invention, in addition to the above, have a function of controlling the amount of hot water supplied to the boiler 1b, in addition to the temperature and pressure of the hot water supplied from the hot water supply device 1. In response to a command to start the supply of hot water to the extraction container 3, the electromagnetic injection valve 1g was operated to supply a predetermined amount of hot water to the extraction container 3 and stopped, and extraction was further performed for a predetermined time. An automatic control device 6 is provided for simultaneously controlling the extraction conditions and controlling the operation of the device, for example, by operating the electromagnetic on-off valve 4b to pour out the extract.

The extraction container containing the required amount of black tea leaves has a hardness of 70 or more and a pH of 7.0 to 8.5 and contains foamy air or saturated or supersaturated dissolved air. After the required amount of hot water of at least ℃ is poured, the tea leaves are stirred and mixed in the hot water, and then left for a predetermined time to settle and deposit the tea leaves on the bottom of the extraction container. In performing the method for extracting black tea of the present invention, in which the extract at a position higher than the bottom is recovered without disturbing the sedimentary layer, by using the black tea extracting apparatus of the present invention, a person unfamiliar with the black tea extracting operation Even so, a delicious black tea solution can be obtained stably.

[0020]

EXAMPLES (First Example) Seven types of water having a pH in the range of 7.2 to 7.8 and a hardness (CaCO ₃ mg / L) different from 30 to 177, respectively, were used. After sufficiently contacting with air, the mixture was heated to 95 to 98 ° C. to make hot water, and a black tea extraction test was performed. The tea leaves used in this test were shredded tea leaves of the Darjeeling type (BOPF: Broken Orange Peco Fannings).

The extraction of black tea was performed according to the following procedure.
First, 5 g of black tea leaves are placed in an extraction container 3 having a capacity of 400 ml,
By injecting 200 ml of hot water into the extraction container 3 over about 7 seconds, the hot water and the tea leaves were stirred and mixed. Then about 25
After standing for 2 seconds, 150 ml of hot water was additionally injected over about 5 seconds to mix and mix the hot water and the tea leaves again, and allowed to stand still for about 30 seconds to settle the tea leaves. Then, 300 ml of the extract in the supernatant was collected in cup 7.

In this way, the tea liquor extracted using seven kinds of waters having different hardnesses is tasted by five men and women,
The astringency, fragrance, and light blue were examined, and the best score was evaluated as 5 points and the worst score as 1 according to the scoring criteria in Table 1. The quality of the liquid was determined.

[0023]

[Table 1] Scoring standards for the quality of black tea liquor Taste: The degree of harmony between the sweetness when included in the mouth, the aroma that passes through the nose, and the astringency. Fragrance: The fragrance of tea is rich and stands up for a long time. Astringency: No astringency or harmony. Light blue: A clear orange or red color with a transparent feeling.

The results are shown in Table 2. When the hardness of the used water is lower than 70, the astringency is superior and the taste is not good.
It was found that the use of water exceeding the astringency reduced the astringency and provided a good balance of taste, and that when the hardness exceeded 100, the water color became deeper and the taste became mild.

[0025]

[Table 2]

(Second embodiment) The hardness (CaCO ₃ mg / L) is in the range of 80 to 100, and the pH is 6.5 and 7.
Using water of 2, 7.7, 8.1, and 8.5, an extraction test of shredded tea leaves of Darjeeling species was performed in the same manner as in Example 1 to evaluate the quality of black tea liquor. The results are shown in Table 3. The higher the pH of the water used, the deeper the water color becomes. It was found that black tea liquor was obtained.

[0027]

[Table 3]

(Third Embodiment) Water having a hardness (CaCO ₃ mg / L) of 102 and a pH of 7.5 was heated to a temperature of 92 ° C., but kept for 2 hours without boiling;
It is heated to 97 ° C. without boiling, then hot water kept at 98 ° C. for 3 hours while injecting a small amount of air and bubbling, and hot water kept at 98 ° C. for 3 hours after boiling once. Using these hot waters, as in the first embodiment,
An extraction test of shredded tea leaves of Darjeeling was performed to evaluate the quality of black tea liquor.

The results are shown in Table 4. When the temperature of the used water is lower than 95 ° C., all of the astringency, taste, scent and water color are unsatisfactory. Even if the temperature is high, hot water boiled and degassed cannot provide high quality black tea liquor, but using hot water with a sufficiently high temperature and sufficient contact with air will give a particularly high quality It turned out that a good tea liquor was obtained.

[0030]

[Table 4]

(Fourth embodiment) Test number 1 of the first embodiment
Instead of using Darjeeling shredded tea leaves used in 5, 16, 17 instead of using Assam shredded tea leaves,
In exactly the same way as the above Test Nos. 15, 16, and 17, an extraction test of tea leaves (Test Nos. 41, 42, and 43) was performed.
The quality of the obtained black tea liquor was evaluated. And test number 1
When compared with the results of 5, 16, and 17, as shown in Table 5, the tea leaves of Assam species have a strong bitterness as well as taste. Therefore, by using water having a hardness of 120 or more, mildness that suppressed bitterness was used. It was found that a flavored tea liquor was obtained.

[0032]

[Table 5]

(Fifth Embodiment) Except for using the shredded tea leaves of Uva species in place of the shredded tea leaves of Assam species used in the fourth embodiment, the procedure is exactly the same as that of the fourth embodiment. Then, an extraction test was performed on black tea leaves to evaluate the quality of the obtained black tea liquor. As with the black liquor obtained using shredded black tea leaves of Darjeeling, water having a hardness of 70 to 120 was used. Occasionally, it was found that a delicate and deliciously flavored tea liquor was obtained with less astringency.

[0034]

According to the present invention, since the extraction conditions necessary for producing a delicious black tea liquor can be clarified by studying the method of extracting black tea, the black tea of the present invention realized by utilizing the new knowledge. The brewing apparatus has a function of controlling so as to automatically reproduce the optimal black tea brewing conditions. Therefore, by using the black tea extraction device of the present invention, there is an effect that anyone can provide a delicious black tea without any skill at any time.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a configuration diagram of a black tea extraction device of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a partial cross-sectional view of an example of an extraction container in the tea extraction device of the present invention.

FIG. 3 is a partial cross-sectional view showing a configuration of a device incorporated in a tea gantry in the black tea extracting apparatus of the present invention.

FIG. 4 is a front view of an extraction container cover in the tea extraction device of the present invention.

FIG. 5 is a sectional view of a lid of an extraction container in the tea extraction device of the present invention.

FIG. 6 is a cross-sectional view showing a state in which an extraction container is placed on a tea tray in the black tea extraction device of the present invention.

[Explanation of symbols]

 DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Hot-water supply apparatus 1a Water conditioner 1b Boiler 1c Hot-water supply pump 1d Hot-water supply pipe 1e Hot-water supply header 1f Air pump 1g Electromagnetic pouring valve 1h Pouring pipe 1i Pouring nozzle 1j Nozzle port 2 Tea-supply stand 2a Extraction container pedestal 2b Cup Table 3 Extraction container 3a Extraction liquid nozzle 3b Seat 3c Packing 3d Filter net 3e Handle 3f Lid 4 Tea supply means 4a Extraction liquid nozzle seat 4b Electromagnetic open / close valve 4c Pour nozzle 5 Extraction container cover 6 Automatic control device 7 cup

Continued on the front page (51) Int.Cl. ⁷ Identification symbol FI Theme coat II (reference) A47J 31/46 A47J 31/46

Claims (9)

[Claims] 1. An extraction container for mixing tea leaves in boiling water to produce an extract in a vessel, a tea tray mountable to the bottom of the extraction container, a hardness of 70 or more, and a pH of 7. A hot water supply device capable of supplying hot water at a temperature of 95 ° C. or more containing 0 to 8.5 and containing foamed air or saturated or supersaturated dissolved air;
Tea supply means for separating and extracting the extracted liquid from the bottom of the extraction container and feeding the extracted liquid to a cup placed under the tea supply base, adjusting the conditions for extracting black tea to a desired range, and operating the black tea A tea extractor comprising at least an automatic control device, wherein the extraction container is formed at the bottom with an extraction liquid nozzle provided with a filtering means above the bottom surface. 2. The extract liquid nozzle is configured to be reversibly liquid-tightly fitted to a female extract liquid nozzle seat that is provided on the tea supply stand and forms a part of the tea supply means. The black tea extraction device according to claim 1, wherein the black tea is extracted. 3. A hot water supply nozzle, which can be inserted into the extract liquid nozzle and can supply the hot water into the extraction container, protrudes from the extract liquid nozzle seat. A tea extraction device according to claim 1. 4. The black tea extracting apparatus according to claim 3, wherein the hot water supply nozzle includes one or more nozzle ports for injecting hot water in a substantially horizontal direction. 5. The extraction container according to claim 1, wherein the extraction container is formed of a substantially cylindrical body made of glass, and is provided with a handle protruding laterally and a lid. A tea extraction device according to claim 1. 6. The hot water supply apparatus has a hardness (CaCO ₃ mg /
6. A water conditioner capable of preparing water having L) of 70 or more and a pH of 7.0 to 8.5. Tea extraction equipment. 7. An extraction container containing a required amount of black tea leaves and having a hardness of 70 or more and a pH of 7.0 to 8.5 and containing foamed air or saturated or supersaturated dissolved air 95 After the required amount of hot water of at least ℃ is poured, the tea leaves are stirred and mixed in the hot water, and then left for a predetermined time to settle and deposit the tea leaves on the bottom of the extraction container. A method for extracting black tea, comprising collecting an extract at a position higher than the bottom without disturbing the sedimentary layer. 8. The method according to claim 7, wherein the black tea leaves are strongly twisted and sheared. 9. The hot water is obtained from water having a hardness (CaCO ₃ mg / L) of 70 or more and a pH of 7.0 to 8.5. 9. The method for extracting black tea according to 8.