Beverage extraction method

Abstract

The tea extraction method of the present invention is a method including a step of providing an extraction unit (1) controlled by a processor, wherein the extraction unit (1) includes an extraction device (M), an extraction tea container (N), at least one heating device (F, G), at least one water supply device (A), and a control unit (P). The control unit (P) is provided to control the amount and temperature of water supplied to the extraction device (M). In the first phase (P2), the control unit (P) controls to supply a first amount of hot water (HW, T>70°) to the extraction device (M). In the second phase (P3), the control unit (P) controls to supply at least one second amount of cold water (CW, T<30°) or at least one first amount of warm water (WW, 70°>T>30°) to the extraction device (M). In the third phase (P4), the control unit (P) controls to supply a second amount of hot water (HW, T>70°) to the extraction device (M). In the fourth phase (P5), the control unit (P) controls to supply at least one third amount of cold water (CW, T<30°) or at least one second amount of warm water (WW, 70°>T>30°) to the extraction device. By controlling the flow and time of the supply, an extracted tea with a temperature (TC) of less than 40° is obtained in the extraction tea container (3).

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a process and a system for extracting beverages, preferably tea such as tea using a filter.

Background Art

[0002] Various extraction devices have been developed that utilize a method of distributing water to an extract. In some of these systems, water is controlled on and off to inject water during the production of a beverage. For example, in the coffee machine disclosed in U.S. Patent No. 4,969,392, water is held in a temperature-controlled container, and when it reaches a sufficient temperature, water is discharged into the ground coffee and the extraction process is started.

[0003] As disclosed in EP-3307118, an extraction process and a system for beverages that perform temperature control to ensure an accurate contact temperature between water and an extractant are known.

Summary of the Invention

[0004] An object of the present invention is to provide an improved automated process for extracting cold tea that can improve the flavor of tea compared to conventional automated processes, which is achieved by the process defined in claim 1. The tea extraction method of the present invention is a tea extraction method including a step of providing a processor-controlled extraction unit (1), wherein the extraction unit (1) includes an extraction device (M), an extracted tea container (N), at least one heating device (F, G), at least one water supply device (A), and a control unit (P), the control unit (P) is provided to control the amount and temperature of water supplied to the extraction device (M), the control unit (P), in a first phase (P2), performs control to supply a first amount of hot water (HW, T>70°) to the extraction device (M), In the second phase (P3), control is performed to supply at least one second amount of cold water (CW, T < 30°) or at least one first amount of warm water (WW, 70° > T > 30°) to the extraction device (M). In the third phase (P4), control is performed to supply a second amount of hot water (HW, T > 70°) to the extraction device (M). In the fourth phase (P5), control is performed to supply at least one third amount of cold water (CW, T < 30°) or at least one second amount of warm water (WW, 70° > T > 30°) to the extraction device. By controlling the flow and time of the supply, extracted tea with a temperature (TC) of less than 40° is obtained in the extraction tea container (3). A method for extracting tea.

[0005] A further preferred embodiment of the present invention is apparent from the description of the independent claims.

Brief Description of the Drawings

[0006] Hereinafter, the present invention will be described with reference to the accompanying drawings.

Figure 1

Figure 2

Embodiments for Carrying Out the Invention

[0007] FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram of an example of a system that can be used in the present invention. As shown in the figure, the water flow may be supplied through the inlet valve A and then through any air breaker B. The air breaker B removes or at least reduces the amount of air bubbles in the water. An inlet temperature sensor C is attached to the air breaker (or other location upstream of the water heating device) to determine the inlet temperature of the water entering the water heating device (here, shown by the heating blocks F and G to which the corresponding sensors H and I for determining the temperature are attached). The sensors C, H, and I may be connected to a controller P that transmits temperature input data. The pump E may be arranged upstream of the heating device consisting of the two heating blocks F and G. Preferably, a flow meter D such as a pulsar is further provided. Preferably, the water supply means such as the flow meter D and the pump E are arranged upstream of the water heating device.

[0008] The flow pulsar and the pump communicate with a controller P that can adjust the water flow rate based on, for example, input data from the temperature sensors. Downstream of the water heating device, a water distributor J with a further temperature sensor K attached may be arranged. The predetermined temperature in the distributor J can preferably be assumed to be the same as or at least very close to the contact temperature between the water and the beverage substance in the extraction device M where a filter (not shown), for example, a tea filter for holding tea, is arranged.

[0009] The water dispenser J may have an extraction device M disposed downstream of the valve L. Similarly, the valve L is communicably connected to a controller and can be opened and closed, for example, to perform a manually set operation or a pre-programmed extraction cycle. Thereby, the valve is opened and closed according to the program. Inside the container, hot water and the extract are mixed, and a beverage is produced which is discharged into the extraction tea container N below the extraction device M as indicated by the arrow. As described above, the present invention has been explained. Of course, it can be similarly realized by various other modifications. Such modifications are not considered to depart from the spirit and scope of the present invention, and all such modifications that are obvious to those skilled in the art are intended to be included in the claims.

[0010] Figure 2 is a graph for explaining an example of an extraction cycle according to an embodiment of the present invention. One graph shows the temperature of the tea being extracted in the tea extraction container N. The other graph shows the batch supply of water to the extraction device M and the temperature of each batch. The X-axis represents time and the Y-axis represents temperature. As shown in the preferred embodiment, a preliminary phase P1 is provided in which a certain amount of cold water is supplied to the extraction device M. Thereby, the extracted tea can be improved in some applications by pre-wetting the tea before actual extraction. However, the preliminary phase P1 of the extraction cycle may be optional. Depending on the application, it has been confirmed that an effect can be obtained thereby.

[0011] In the first phase P2, a predetermined amount of hot water HW is added to the extraction device M. The addition of the hot water HW is controlled by the control unit P. The control unit P controls the pump and the heating block by a conventional method to supply a predetermined temperature, that is, a predetermined amount of hot water above 70°C, to the extraction device M. In most applications, the temperature of the hot water HW is preferably in the range of 85 to 98°C, more preferably 90 to 96°C. When the hot water is supplied to the extraction device M, the extracted tea begins to flow through the extraction device M into the tea extraction container N. The temperature inside the tea extraction container N rises from a temperature approximately equal to room temperature and / or tap water to a temperature close to a warm range, that is, water of 30 to 70°C.

[0012] To make the description of the present invention easier to understand, three different temperature ranges are defined. That is, hot water HW which is water warmer than 70°C, warm water WW which is water having a temperature in the range of 30 to 70°C, and cold water CW which is water colder than 30°C are defined.

[0013] For example, the temperature at the end of the first phase P2 may be about 70°C. Then, a second phase P3 follows, which is a phase in which warm water WW or cold water CW is supplied to the extraction device M in batches. As shown in the example of the embodiment shown in FIG. 2, the temperature of the first batch in the second phase P3 is higher than the temperature of the subsequent second batch supplied during the second phase P3. The reason for the different temperatures in this example is that the water is supplied through the heating devices F and G. In this phase, since the heating devices F and G are not operating, they are in a cooled state, and the flowing water is further cooled. Therefore, the first batch in the second phase P3 is supplied at a higher temperature than the second batch. The first batch is warm water WW having a temperature defined as a warm temperature, that is, water in the range of 30 to 70°C. The second batch is supplied at a lower temperature, but in the present application, it is substantially the same as tap water, that is, cold water CW. Therefore, the temperature TC in the tea extraction container N drops to the level shown in the second phase P3 in the figure at the end of the third phase P3.

[0014] In the third phase P4, again, hot water HW is supplied to the extraction device M. The temperature in the tea extraction container N rises again to a level corresponding within the temperature range. With the hot water HW of the second batch, for example, hot water HW having a temperature slightly above 70°C, a double effect can be obtained. First, the aroma can be further drawn out from the tea, and the taste of the final extract can be improved. Second, the flow through the filter can be improved. The reason why the flow can be improved is that the hot water HW of the second batch may dissolve the substances that have clogged in the filter. Thus, the hot water HW in the third phase P4 can improve the flow passing through the extraction device M and / or the aroma of the extracted beverage.

[0015] Next, a fourth phase P5 is performed. In the fourth phase P5, batches of hot water WW and / or cold water CW are supplied to the extraction device M. As described in the second phase P3, the supplied batches will sequentially have lower temperatures due to the cooling effect of the batch heating devices F, G. Thus, the batches are gradually cooled, and consequently, the temperature TC of the extracted beverage in the tea extraction container N also gradually decreases. At the end of the extraction cycle, the temperature of the beverage needs to be at a preset temperature, which is controlled by the control unit P of the extraction unit 1. For this reason, the control unit has a preselected algorithm for controlling the supply of a sufficient amount of cooling batches in the fourth phase P5 according to the present invention, whereby the tea is finally brought to a predetermined temperature.

[0016] When the extraction cycle is completed, it is necessary to remove the remaining used tea leaves from the extraction device, i.e., the internal filter (not shown). This can be achieved in various ways. For example, a disposable filter can be used, and the used filter can be removed and replaced with a new filter, for example, a filter having a predetermined amount of new tea leaves. This control may be automatically performed by the extraction unit, and the control unit P is pre-programmed to control a mechanism set to remove the old filter and supply a new filter. As another embodiment, a permanent filter disposed within the extraction unit is used. This filter is provided so that it can be easily emptied or cleaned after each extraction cycle.

[0017] Furthermore, as shown in FIG. 1, a bypass line BP that bypasses the heating devices F and G may be provided. In this bypass line BP, a valve O may be provided after the pump E, and the control unit P may control the valve O so as to bypass the heating devices F and G when supplying a batch of cold water CW to the extraction device M. In this embodiment, only a batch of cold water is supplied to the extraction device M without supplying a batch of warm water WW to the extraction device M (contrary to FIG. 2). Therefore, in this embodiment, the curve indicating the temperature TC of the beverage in the tea extraction container N has a sharper angle than that shown in FIG. 2. As a result, it becomes possible to adjust more quickly to the set temperature of the tea extracted from a higher temperature.

[0018] Of course, depending on the application, in the second phase P3 and / or the fourth phase P5, it may be sufficient to use only one batch of cold water, but it is preferable to supply a plurality of batches of cold water DC, at least in the fourth phase P5. Of course, the supply amount of each batch may vary as necessary, and the time between each batch supply may also vary.

[0019] In particular, the term "beverage" is defined as tea, but may include, for example, herbs, coffee, and other substances and other forms of beverages. The process settings preferably include a pre-programmed recipe selected according to the type of tea to be extracted, but may also include manual settings for adjusting appropriate taste characteristics. Note that the use of the water dispenser J is optional. That is, water may flow directly from the heating devices F and G to the extraction device M. A "water dispenser" may be any device that can function as a water container or reservoir for water before supply and can store water for a certain period of time. According to one embodiment, the water dispenser includes means for controlling the supply of water, such as a valve. Thereby, water can be accumulated in the dispenser for a certain period or can continuously pass through the dispenser according to the setting of the valve that adjusts the water flow passing through the dispenser.

[0020] According to one embodiment, the water heating device is controlled to transfer a substantially constant amount of heat to the water introduced into the system. By maintaining the heat transfer substantially constant, a more controlled and stable process can be provided. Preferably, during the extraction process, the water flow rate may vary by up to 10%, preferably up to 5%, and more preferably up to 1% from the calculated set value. By maintaining the heating of the water substantially constant, a more stable process can be obtained that enables a stable flow of water to the water dispenser. According to one embodiment, a sensor, such as a temperature sensor, is disposed within the water heating device to monitor and measure the transfer of heat to the hot water. The sensor may be connected to a controller that controls the change in the water temperature.

[0021] According to one embodiment, at least two water heating devices are connected in series. Preferably, each of the at least two water heating devices includes a sensor for measuring temperature coupled to a controller.

[0022] According to one embodiment, the control unit P controls the timing, flow rate, water temperature, and other characteristics related to the driving or movement of the water, preferably by pumping by a pump mechanism.

[0023] According to one embodiment, a device for reducing or removing bubbles, such as an air bleeder, is disposed upstream of the means for controlling the flow of water.

[0024] The control unit can provide various settings and pre-programmed recipes. That is, for example, by combining extraction cycles performed at different temperatures and flow rates, the characteristics of the tea can be affected.

Claims

1. A method for extracting tea, comprising the step of providing an extraction unit (1) for processor control, wherein the extraction unit (1) includes an extraction device (M), an extraction tea container (N), at least one heating device (F, G), at least one water supply device (A), and a control unit (P); the control unit (P) is provided to control the amount and temperature of water supplied to the extraction device (M); the control unit (P) in a first phase (P2), controls to supply a first amount of hot water (HW, T > 70°) to the extraction device (M); in a second phase (P3), controls to supply at least one second amount of cold water (CW, T < 30°) or at least one first amount of warm water (WW, 70° > T > 30°) to the extraction device (M); in a third phase (P4), controls to supply a second amount of hot water (HW, T > 70°) to the extraction device (M); in a fourth phase (P5), controls to supply at least one third amount of cold water (CW, T < 30°) or at least one second amount of warm water (WW, 70° > T > 30°) to the extraction device; by controlling the flow and time of the supply, obtaining extracted tea with a temperature (TC) of less than 40° in the extraction tea container (3). A method for extracting tea.

2. In a preliminary phase (P1) before the first phase (P2), controls to supply a first amount of cold water (CW, T < 30°) to the extraction device (M). The method according to claim 1.

3. The second phase (P3) includes the supply of a plurality of amounts of cold water (CW, T < 30°) and / or warm water (WW, 70° > T > 30°). The method according to claim 1 or 2.

4. The third phase (P4) is started when the outflow from the extraction device (M) in the second phase (P3) is less than 70% of the initial flow rate in the first phase (P2). Preferably, the third phase (P4) is started when the outflow from the extraction device (M) in the second phase (P3) is less than 50% of the initial flow rate in the first phase (P2). The method according to claim 1.

5. The third phase (P4) is started when the temperature of the tea in the extraction tea container (N) reaches a predetermined set temperature calculated in advance. The predetermined set temperature is in the range of 10° to 40°, preferably 30° or less. The method according to claim 1 or 4.

6. The fourth phase (P5) includes the supply of multiple quantities of cold water (CW, T < 30°) and / or warm water (WW, 70° > T > 30°). The method according to claim 1.

7. Includes the supply of multiple quantities of cold water (CW, T < 30°). The method according to claim 6.

8. The supply amount of cold water (CW, T < 30°) in the fourth phase (P5) is greater than the supply amount in the second phase (P3). The method according to claim 6.

9. The fourth phase ends when the temperature of the tea in the extraction tea container (3) reaches a predetermined set temperature calculated in advance. The predetermined set temperature ranges from 0° to 30°, preferably from 10° to 25°. The method according to claim 1.

10. Ice and / or cold water (CW, T < 30°) is separately added to the extraction tea container (N). The method according to claim 7.

11. The extraction device (M) is equipped with a filter. The filter is washable. Preferably, after each extraction, the washable filter is automatically washed. The method according to claim 1.

12. The extraction device (M) is equipped with a disposable filter. Preferably, in the process, after each extraction, the disposable filter is automatically replaced with a new one. The method according to claim 1.

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