Below this I've pasted part of an article by my tea supplier about the importance of using freshly boiled water. My question is... if in a commercial Tea Room I want to use one of those large Urns that keeps constantly hot water for pouring on tap... does anyone know the method they use for keeping the water hot? Are they constantly re-boiling the water or does it boil then hold it at just below boiling?
If a system like this holds boiled water at a high temperature just below boiling, is it still losing the all important CO2 qualities needed (at a slower rate than boiling it off but still decreasing)? I wonder if there is any research on this, I assume it's fairly simple science.
If a large hot water urn is not ideal then perhaps a line of variable temperature kettles set to different temps for Black tea, Oolong, Green tea etc. Unfortunately I'm struggling to find a commercial product that fits this description though I've seen these Upton Variable Temperature Kettles (ordered from a manufacturer and labelled thier own, not sure who the original manufacturer is) PDF info:
With the intention of being a busy tea room I am aware of how much boiling kettles for each order will slow things down, while I'll nurture the slower nature of the tea experience I am aware of needing a compromise with the necessity of turnover, but ultimately I won't compromise on quality at the end of the day. If there is not better alternative to simply boiling a kettle I'll just do that :o)
Any knowledge or experience with this anyone??
Look forward to hearing back, Jon
...................................
" Taste, colour and mouth feel depend on the interaction between the two main components of tea, polyphenols and caffeine. Each component is astringent on its own, but as a complex the astringent character is reduced.
Water is known to contain dissolved gases absorbed from the air. Carbon dioxide (CO2) gas that is present in water affects the acidity. Acidity of water plays a critical roll in the ionization of tea polyphenols and it contributes to the stability of the above complex.
CO2 in water is gradually released during the boiling process. Re- boiling will in fact further reduce CO2 levels, resulting in a decrease in the acidity. As mentioned above this will affect the caffeine and polyphenol complexion, and bring about changes in the colour as well as the character of the brew.
Twice boiled water will therefore affect the taste of a good tea and hence our request that only freshly boiled water is used for brewing "