OK, you got me. I am primarily a
die-hard coffee drinker. But every once in a while I really enjoy a cup of tea. Sometimes even with milk! Earth shattering news, I know...but hey...whatever gets you going. Sometimes it's an herbal mix, like Jasmine Spice and sometimes it's an Earl Grey, hot. Varies, depending upon my mood. Of course, regardless of what type of tea I am having and the method used to brew it you'll need really HOT water. Almost boiling in fact. There are lots of ways to produce that in an RV. I've found quite a few, including some unique ones.
First, there is always the trusty propane stove and a good, old fashioned tea pot. A whistling one if you like. Fill with
clean water, fire up a burner and within minutes.....boiling water for tea (or whatever!). It works, it works well. You could even forego the teapot and just use a regular pot. Getting water to boil isn't much of a trick with open flame. However, to make it more interesting to watch, there are some REALLY cool teapot's out there. I've seen ones that use steam to drive a carousel of rockets..now THAT was cool. Instead of the propane stove, you could use an
induction cooker or even the
Sun to boil water!
What about Electric kettles? Sure, if you have 120 Volt AC electricity from an Inverter and battery bank or want to run your generator for the duration of the boil. Not super efficient and if it's early in the morning, probably the worst time to ask big amp draws from your battery bank. That being said I did manage to find a
workable 12V water heating system. It's not as fast as a 120V AC powered one, but it works. I use it quite often,
with filtered water, to make boiling/hot water for recipes while boondocking using solar power. Jello is a favorite. With fresh made Whipped cream....mmmmmm.
What about a recipe for tea? WHAT!? Who needs a recipe to make tea. I'll tell you...there are MANY ways to brew tea just like there are many ways to brew coffee. It's not just about tea bags! You can use tea bags. I'm not against them, just that it limits you to what is commercially available. If you like the convenience, buy a small tea-ball. (No, they are not all ball shaped) fill it with your favorite tea (I keep my loose tea in
little plastic tubs) and use just like a bag. best of all, no gross used bag to deal with, dripping all over when you discard it. Just dump the used up tea in you napkin or straight into the trash.
Brewing. Lots of arguments about what constitutes a proper tea brewing. Many countries have a preferred method. the British are quite particular in the order tea is made. Here's the "proper" way:
Boil water in a kettle. Pour some of the boiling water into a tea pot. Usually ceramic, but must absolutely have multiple holes inside leading to the spout. This step warms the pot. Discard the now cool water. Put kettle BACK on the burner to re-boil. They are fanatical about using boiling water! Put the tea in the now warmed pot. Loose tea, bagged tea (no labels nor string!) or an infuser is fine. Now bring the tea pot to the boiling water and fill the tea pot. Cover with a tea cozy (What!? You don't have a tea cozy!) Let it steep for a few minutes. Pour milk, if desired, into tea cup add tea, add sugar to taste. Drink.
Wow! That's complicated. Maybe I should stick to coffee?
Be Seeing You...Down The Road,
Rich "
The Wanderman"
www.thewanderman.com
This is WAY too much to-do about nothing! I use a 1.5 cup stainless steel pot/cup that has a long handle, fill it to the 1-cup mark with water, cover with the lid from my smallest pan, then bring to a boil on my stove in almost no time at all. Pour over tea in mug and cover with the same lid. Done. I do the same with coffee, using a French press or my collapsible drip coffee maker. That little stainless cup is my favorite kitchen item and I use it every day.
ReplyDeleteAnonymous,
DeleteNo kidding! The serious tea drinkers have way too much time are their hands!
Rich "The Wanderman"
When I want water for tea, I just run it thru my Keurig, then add the tea, works great.
ReplyDeleteWalt,
DeleteGreat idea! I've also seen k-cups that brew tea! of course, there's the amp draw to deal with.....
Rich "The Wanderman"
I believe Kurig was invented with RV in mind.
DeleteUsed also for hot cereal. Oats grits etc
Jane,
DeleteAs long as you have a good source of 120VAC power Keurigs are wonderful!
Rich "The Wanderman"
Unless you like really strong (technically over steeped, high tannin) tea, you can use standard tea bags as if they were k-cups...just "mush" the bag into the bottom of the filter holder, and run like normal. Although possibly lighter in color than you're used to, the best flavor is actually transferred in this brief but very hot brewing. I you really want stronger tea, just move the bag into your cup for a little longer.
DeleteWolfe,
DeleteWay cool...I did not know you could do that!
Thanks for the tip.
Rich "The Wanderman"
If you like loose tea, get a reusable k-cup cartridge (sold for using your own ground coffee) and of course just put your favorite loose tea inside... instant kurig tea ball!
DeleteI use my kurig for making hot water for cocoa a lot too, but as you initially noted, kurigs are murder on inverter-battery setups, so i go back to lp percolator when without power...
Wolfe,
DeleteI've got a few of those roll your own keurig cups. Once you get the quantity right, they are awesome. not mention WAY cheaper than "real" k-cups. I am going to try the Cocoa one..MMM... Yes..keurigs are massive amp draws for a short time.
Rich "The Wanderman"