As you search for the ideal wedding, shower or housewarming present to help the happy couple celebrate the beginning of a new life together, you can simplify the process with a gift combination that appeals to all ages and genders, fits a variety of budgets and gives the bride and groom an inside edge on a rising epicurean trend. The winning duo: a tea sampler and a hot water dispenser with which to prepare them. Why tea? Worldwide, it is one of the most widely consumed beverages, second only to water. In the U.S., its popularity is soaring as consumers discover what ancient cultures have long appreciated: that tea can promote a sense of well-being. Tea has powerful anti-oxidant properties and is a source of vitamin C. A natural source of caffeine, it also has soothing properties, according to noted tea authority James Norwood Pratt, author of “The New Tea Lover’s Treasury.” “Taking tea is a moment of windless calm amidst the bluster of daily events,” Pratt writes.
As the popularity of tea continues to skyrocket, Americans are becoming more sophisticated in seeking out different tea varieties and superior equipment, such as the In-Sink-Erator Instant Hot Water Dispenser With Filtration, with which to prepare them. The dispenser delivers both cool and near-boiling 190 F water, with downward adjustable temperatures to suit the steeping requirements of specific teas. For example, most green teas, which are rapidly growing in popularity, taste best when steeped in water between 170 F and 185 F.
To prepare green tea, put a pinch of loose green tea in the bottom of a cup or in an infuser. Pour in water along the side of the cup and let the leaves swirl, then steep for one to two minutes. Remove the leaves and enjoy, or let the leaves remain for additional infusions.
According to Pratt, along with the quality of the tea leaf, the quality of the water is of paramount importance. While heating bottled spring water is one option, an increasing number of consumers prefer the convenience of the Instant Hot Water Dispenser With Filtration, which makes hot, filtered water instantly available. For more information, call (800) 558-5700 or visit www.insinkerator.com.
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