Plan B Forum

But that straightforward approach to making a cuppa is not good enough for chef Heston Blumenthal, famed for his risk-taking gastronomy.




He has developed a tea maker that brings his hi-tech culinary approach into the home, casting aside the teapot and teabag.

His £199.99 stainless steel Sage Tea Maker claims to deliver the perfect brew from what is effectively a combined kettle and teapot. It can even be used instead of a teasmade as it has a delay setting, allowing users to wake up to a perfect cup of tea.

The device, one of a range of appliances he has created, has five temperature and time settings based on whether you are using normal black tea leaves or green, white, herbal or oolong varieties.

‘The right time and temperature are critical for a great cuppa,’ said Blumenthal.

Toughened glass jug is filled with the correct amount of water for the cups needed – 500ml = 2 cups.
Tea Maker sits on power base, which holds the setting buttons and connects to mains.
Five different tea settings – black, white, green, herbal, oolong.
Leaves are put in to jug basket using tea scoop – one per cup.
Water is heated to the correct temperature for the tea type.
Basket lowers into the hot water for the correct time period for the tea type.
Black = 100°C for 2mins; White = 85°C for 3mins; Green = 80°C for 3mins; Herbal = 100°C for 4mins; Oolong = 90°C for 3mins.
Three different strength settings – mild, medium, strong.
Timer function allows maker to be set to turn on automatically first thing in the morning.
Warmer function allows the brewed tea to be kept warm for up to one hour.
Override function to increase the temperature or brewing time to meet personal taste.
Tea Maker can be used as variable temperature kettle.
£199.99.

‘Different teas need to be brewed at different temperatures, and we all have a favourite strength.

‘You fill the stainless steel basket with leaves, tell it the type of tea, select the strength and it will heat the water, slowly lower the basket, then raise the basket from the water when it’s done.’

The Tea Maker keeps the beverage warm for up to 60 minutes and can also be used as a conventional kettle or to brew coffee. It is part of the new Sage by Heston Blumenthal range that includes an ice cream maker and a juicer. Most expensive in the range is a £549.99 Barista Express coffee machine to make espressos and cappuccinos.

A four-slice motorised toaster, costing £169.99, toasts bread depending on its ingredients and thickness. It has defrost and crumpet settings.

rubato wrote:A triumph of technology is to heat water to a controlled temperature and steep tea for a controlled amount of time?

Gob wrote:

rubato wrote:A triumph of technology is to heat water to a controlled temperature and steep tea for a controlled amount of time?

Yep, that's what everyone is saying "it's a triumph of technology".

Up there with finding lead in rice.

The Hen wrote:You already have something that makes the perfect cuppa.







Me.

Be careful how far you want to go with that Hen....

He may use that as an excuse for not buying a new dishwasher....

MajGenl.Meade wrote:

Father Guido Sarducci: ... "
[ he sips his homemade tea ]