Beverage brew method

Abstract

This beverage brew method for brewing a leaf tea beverage from tea leaves and a brew fluid is characterized by comprising: a pulverization step for pulverizing the tea leaves; an input step for inputting the pulverized tea leaves obtained in the pulverization step into a brew space 13A of a volume-variable cylinder 13; a volume adjustment step for adjusting the volume of the brew space 13A so as to be filled with the tea leaves pulverized in the pulverization step; and a pressurized brew step for brewing a leaf tea beverage by supplying the brew fluid to the cylinder 13 where the volume of the brew space 13A has been adjusted in the volume adjustment step, while maintaining the brew fluid under pressure.

Description

Beverage extraction method

[0007]

[0001] The present invention relates to a beverage extraction method.

[0002] Conventionally, for example, in the extraction of leaf tea beverages such as green tea and black tea, the following beverage extraction method is known. That is, after crushing tea leaves into crushed tea leaves using a mill or the like, the crushed tea leaves and hot water are put into a cylinder to extract the leaf tea beverage (see, for example, Patent Document 1).

[0003] Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2004-115092

[0004] In the above-described beverage extraction method, by crushing tea leaves into crushed tea leaves, it is possible to increase the contact area with hot water, and a shortening of the extraction time is expected. However, when the volume of the cylinder is excessive or the like, it is necessary to ensure sufficient contact between the tea leaves and hot water, and as a result, it has been difficult to achieve high-speed extraction of the leaf tea beverage.

[0005] In view of the above circumstances, an object of the present invention is to provide a beverage extraction method capable of achieving high-speed extraction of a leaf tea beverage.

[0006] In order to achieve the above object, a beverage extraction method according to the present invention is a beverage extraction method for extracting a leaf tea beverage from tea leaves and an extraction fluid, including a crushing step of crushing the tea leaves, a charging step of charging the crushed tea leaves obtained by the crushing step into an extraction space of a cylinder with a variable volume, a volume adjustment step of adjusting the volume of the extraction space so as to be filled with the tea leaves crushed by the crushing step, and a pressurized extraction step of supplying the extraction fluid to the cylinder whose volume of the extraction space has been adjusted by the volume adjustment step while pressurizing to extract the leaf tea beverage.

[0007] Further, a beverage extraction method according to the present invention is a beverage extraction method for extracting a leaf tea beverage from tea leaves and an extraction fluid, including a crushing step of crushing the tea leaves, a steaming step of steaming the crushed tea leaves after charging the crushed tea leaves obtained by the crushing step into a cylinder, and a pressurized extraction step of supplying the extraction fluid to the crushed tea leaves steamed by the steaming step while pressurizing to extract the leaf tea beverage.

[0008] Furthermore, the present invention includes a tamping step in which the pulverized tea leaves that have been steamed in the steaming step are pressed and compacted, and the pressurized extraction step is characterized in that the extraction fluid is supplied to the pulverized tea leaves compacted in the tamping step while being pressurized.

[0009] Furthermore, the present invention is characterized in that, in the beverage extraction method described above, the extraction fluid is hot water.

[0010] According to the present invention, tea leaves are crushed in the crushing step, the crushed tea leaves are put into the extraction space of a variable-volume cylinder in the input step, the volume of the extraction space is adjusted in the volume adjustment step so that it is filled with the crushed tea leaves, and in the pressurized extraction step, an extraction fluid is supplied under pressure to the cylinder whose volume of the extraction space has been adjusted in the volume adjustment step to extract a leaf tea beverage. This makes it possible to reduce the gaps between the crushed tea leaves and eliminate the space for the tea leaves to escape in the extraction space when the extraction fluid is supplied under pressure to the cylinder. This ensures resistance as the extraction fluid passes through, allowing the extraction fluid to pass through the tea leaves under pressure, and thus has the effect of speeding up the extraction of the leaf tea beverage.

[0011] Furthermore, according to the present invention, tea leaves are crushed in the crushing step, the crushed tea leaves are put into a cylinder and then steeped in the steeping step, and in the pressurized extraction step, an extraction fluid is supplied under pressure to the crushed tea leaves that have been steeped in the steeping step to extract a loose leaf tea beverage. This makes it possible to reduce the gaps between the crushed tea leaves. This ensures resistance as the hot water passes through, allowing the hot water to pass through the tea leaves under pressure, which has the effect of speeding up the extraction of the loose leaf tea beverage.

[0012] Figure 1 is a schematic block diagram showing the configuration of a beverage extraction apparatus that implements the beverage extraction method according to Embodiment 1 of the present invention. Figure 2 is a flowchart showing the beverage extraction process performed by the control unit shown in Figure 1, i.e., each step of the beverage extraction method according to Embodiment 1 of the present invention. Figure 3 is a schematic diagram showing the grinding process shown in Figure 2. Figure 4 is a schematic diagram showing the input process shown in Figure 2. Figure 5 is a schematic diagram showing the volume adjustment process shown in Figure 2. Figure 6 is a schematic diagram showing the pressurized extraction process shown in Figure 2. Figure 7 is a schematic block diagram showing the configuration of a beverage extraction apparatus that implements the beverage extraction method according to Embodiment 2 of the present invention. Figure 8 is a flowchart showing the beverage extraction process performed by the control unit shown in Figure 7, i.e., each step of the beverage extraction method according to Embodiment 2 of the present invention. Figure 9 is a schematic diagram showing the grinding process shown in Figure 8. Figure 10 is a schematic diagram showing the input process shown in Figure 8. Figure 11 is a schematic diagram showing the steeping process shown in Figure 8. Figure 12 is a schematic diagram illustrating the tamping process shown in Figure 8. Figure 13 is a schematic diagram illustrating the pressurized extraction process shown in Figure 8.

[0013] A preferred embodiment of the beverage extraction method according to the present invention will be described in detail below with reference to the attached drawings.

[0014] <Embodiment 1> Figure 1 is a schematic block diagram showing the configuration of a beverage extraction apparatus that implements the beverage extraction method according to Embodiment 1 of the present invention. The beverage extraction apparatus 1 illustrated here comprises a raw material storage unit 11, a crusher 12, a cylinder 13, a hot water supply unit 15, an air pump 16, and a control unit 17.

[0015] The raw material storage section 11 stores the tea leaves, which are the raw material. Inside this raw material storage section 11 is a raw material discharge drive unit 11a. The raw material discharge drive unit 11a is driven in response to commands given by the control unit 17, and when driven, it discharges the tea leaves to the crusher 12.

[0016] The crusher 12 is also known as a mill. This crusher 12 produces crushed tea leaves by crushing the tea leaves discharged from the raw material storage unit 11 when a crusher drive unit (not shown) is driven in response to a command from the control unit 17. These crushed tea leaves have a diameter of, for example, 1 mm or less.

[0017] The cylinder 13 is an extraction container for extracting beverages. This cylinder 13 comprises a lower cylinder component 131 and an upper cylinder component 132 (see Figure 5, etc.), and these lower cylinder component 131 and upper cylinder component 132 form an extraction space 13A into which crushed tea leaves, etc., are introduced. The lower cylinder component 131 is fixed in place, but the upper cylinder component 132 is slidably provided so as to move closer to and further away from the lower cylinder component 131. When the upper cylinder motor 13M is driven in response to a command given by the control unit 17, the upper cylinder component 132 slides, thereby making the volume of the extraction space 13A variable.

[0018] Although not explicitly shown in the diagram, the hot water supply unit 15 includes a hot water tank for storing hot water, a hot water supply path for supplying hot water from the hot water tank, a hot water pump for discharging hot water, etc., and supplies hot water to the cylinder 13.

[0019] The air pump 16 is driven in response to commands given by the control unit 17, and when driven, it supplies pressurized air to the cylinder 13 along with hot water through the hot water supply path.

[0020] The control unit 17 is communicatively connected to the raw material storage unit 11, the crusher 12, the cylinder 13, the hot water supply unit 15, and the air pump 16, and comprehensively controls the operation of the beverage extraction device 1 according to the programs and data stored in the memory unit 18, which is also communicatively connected.

[0021] Furthermore, the control unit 17 may be implemented, for example, by causing a processing unit such as a CPU (Central Processing Unit) to execute a program, i.e., by software; or by hardware such as an IC (Integrated Circuit); or by using a combination of software and hardware.

[0022] Figure 2 is a flowchart showing the beverage extraction process performed by the control unit 17 shown in Figure 1, that is, each step of the beverage extraction method according to Embodiment 1 of the present invention. In the following, each step will be described with reference to Figures 3 to 6.

[0023] The control unit 17 performs the grinding process (step S101). As shown in Figure 3, in the grinding process, the control unit 17 drives the raw material discharge drive unit 11a of the raw material storage unit 11 for a predetermined time, thereby discharging the amount of tea leaves necessary for one batch of loose leaf tea to the grinder 12, while simultaneously driving the grinder drive unit to grind the tea leaves. This produces ground tea leaves.

[0024] The control unit 17, which performed the grinding process, then performs the input process (step S102). As shown in Figure 4, in the input process, the ground tea leaves obtained by grinding in the grinder 12 are introduced into the extraction space 13A through the upper opening 131a of the lower cylinder component 131. The introduced ground tea leaves are placed on the upper surface of the filter member 131b located in the lower cylinder component 131.

[0025] Here, the filter member 131b is made of, for example, a metal mesh, and has fine passage holes 131c formed therein. A beverage supply path 14 is connected to the lower cylinder component 131. The beverage supply path 14 is a path for supplying the leaf tea beverage extracted in the cylinder 13 to the container, cup C (see Figure 6).

[0026] The control unit 17, which performed the input process, then performs the volume adjustment process (step S103). As shown in Figure 5, in the volume adjustment process, the control unit 17 drives the upper cylinder motor 13M to slide the upper cylinder component 132 so that it is close to the lower cylinder component 131, and adjusts the volume of the extraction space 13A to be equal to the volume of the crushed tea leaves. In other words, the volume of the extraction space 13A is adjusted so that the extraction space 13A is filled with crushed tea leaves.

[0027] The control unit 17, which has performed the volume adjustment process, then performs the pressurized extraction process (step S104). As shown in Figure 6, in the pressurized extraction process, the control unit 17 drives the hot water supply unit 15 and the air pump 16 to supply pressurized hot water to the extraction space 13A, which is filled with crushed tea leaves, in the amount of hot water necessary to extract one batch of loose leaf tea.

[0028] As a result, the cylinder 13 extracts the leaf tea beverage, and the extracted leaf tea beverage is supplied to cup C through the beverage supply path 14. After the extraction of a predetermined amount of leaf tea beverage is completed in this manner, the control unit 17 terminates the current process. The extracted residue of the crushed tea leaves used to extract the leaf tea beverage is placed on the filter member 131b, and is then discharged into a residue bucket (not shown) using a scraper or the like (not shown).

[0029] As described above, in the beverage extraction method of Embodiment 1 of the present invention, tea leaves are crushed in the crushing step, the crushed tea leaves are put into the extraction space 13A of a variable-volume cylinder 13 in the input step, the volume of the extraction space 13A is adjusted in the volume adjustment step so that it is filled with the crushed tea leaves, and in the pressurized extraction step, hot water is supplied under pressure to the cylinder 13 whose volume of the extraction space 13A has been adjusted in the volume adjustment step to extract the leaf tea beverage. This makes it possible to reduce the gaps between the crushed tea leaves and eliminate the escape space for the tea leaves in the extraction space 13A when hot water is supplied under pressure to the cylinder 13. This ensures resistance as the hot water passes through, allowing the hot water to pass through the tea leaves under pressure, and thus enabling faster extraction of the leaf tea beverage.

[0030] <Embodiment 2> Figure 7 is a schematic block diagram showing the configuration of a beverage extraction apparatus that implements the beverage extraction method according to Embodiment 2 of the present invention. The beverage extraction apparatus 2 illustrated here comprises a raw material storage unit 21, a crusher 22, a cylinder 23, a hot water supply unit 25, an air pump 26, and a control unit 27.

[0031] The raw material storage section 21 stores the tea leaves, which are the raw material. Inside this raw material storage section 21 is a raw material discharge drive unit 21a. The raw material discharge drive unit 21a is driven in response to commands given by the control unit 27, and when driven, it discharges the tea leaves to the crusher 22.

[0032] The crusher 22 is also known as a mill. This crusher 22 produces crushed tea leaves by crushing the tea leaves discharged from the raw material storage unit 21 when a crusher drive unit (not shown) is driven in response to a command from the control unit 27. These crushed tea leaves have a diameter of, for example, 1 mm or less.

[0033] The cylinder 23 is an extraction container for extracting beverages. This cylinder 23 comprises a lower cylinder component 231 and an upper cylinder component 232 (see Figure 12, etc.), and these lower cylinder component 231 and upper cylinder component 232 form an extraction space 23A into which crushed tea leaves or the like are introduced. The lower cylinder component 231 is fixed in place, but the upper cylinder component 232 is slidably provided so as to move closer to and further away from the lower cylinder component 231. This upper cylinder component 232 slides when the upper cylinder motor 23M is driven in response to a command given by the control unit 27.

[0034] Although not explicitly shown in the diagram, the hot water supply unit 25 includes a hot water tank for storing hot water, a hot water supply path for supplying hot water from the hot water tank, a hot water pump for discharging hot water, etc., and supplies hot water to the cylinder 23.

[0035] The air pump 26 is driven in response to commands given by the control unit 27, and when driven, it supplies pressurized air to the cylinder 23 along with hot water through the hot water supply path.

[0036] The control unit 27 is communicatively connected to the raw material storage unit 21, the crusher 22, the cylinder 23, the hot water supply unit 25, and the air pump 26, and comprehensively controls the operation of the beverage extraction device 2 according to the programs and data stored in the memory unit 28, which is also communicatively connected.

[0037] Furthermore, the control unit 27 may be implemented by, for example, causing a processing unit such as a CPU (Central Processing Unit) to execute a program, i.e., by software; by hardware such as an IC (Integrated Circuit); or by using a combination of software and hardware.

[0038] Figure 8 is a flowchart showing the beverage extraction process performed by the control unit 27 shown in Figure 7, that is, each step of the beverage extraction method according to Embodiment 2 of the present invention. In the following, each step will be described with reference to Figures 9 to 13.

[0039] The control unit 27 performs the grinding process (step S201). As shown in Figure 9, in the grinding process, the control unit 27 drives the raw material discharge drive unit 21a of the raw material storage unit 21 for a predetermined time, thereby discharging the amount of tea leaves necessary for one batch of loose leaf tea to the grinder 22, while simultaneously driving the grinder drive unit to grind the tea leaves. This produces ground tea leaves.

[0040] The control unit 27, which performed the grinding process, then performs the feeding process (step S202). As shown in Figure 10, in the feeding process, the ground tea leaves obtained by grinding in the grinder 22 are fed into the extraction space 23A through the upper opening 231a of the lower cylinder component 231. The fed ground tea leaves are placed on the upper surface of the filter member 231b located in the lower cylinder component 231.

[0041] Here, the filter member 231b is made of, for example, a metal mesh, and has fine passage holes 231c formed therein. A beverage supply path 24 is connected to the lower cylinder component 231. The beverage supply path 24 is a path for supplying the leaf tea beverage extracted by the cylinder 23 to the container, which is the cup C.

[0042] The control unit 27, which performed the input process, then performs the steeping process (step S203). As shown in Figure 11, in the steeping process, the control unit 27 drives the hot water supply unit 25 to supply a small amount of hot water to the extraction space 23A. This allows the crushed tea leaves to absorb the hot water and open up.

[0043] The control unit 27 that has performed the steaming process performs the tamping process (step S204). As shown in FIG. 12, in the tamping process, the control unit 27 drives the upper cylinder motor 23M to slide the upper cylinder component 232 in a manner close to the lower cylinder component 231, and presses and compacts the crushed tea leaves steamed in the steaming process. Thereby, a compact 30 of the crushed tea leaves is generated. Such a compact 30 is generated by opening and pressing the crushed tea leaves by performing the steaming process before the tamping process.

[0044] The control unit 27 that has performed the tamping process performs the pressure extraction process (step S205). As shown in FIG. 13, in the pressure extraction process, the control unit 27 drives the hot water supply unit 25 and the air pump 26 to supply hot water in an amount required for one extraction of Leafy drink to the compact 30 in the extraction space 23A while applying pressure.

[0045] Thereby, the Leafy drink is extracted in the cylinder 23, and the extracted Leafy drink is supplied to the cup C through the beverage supply path 24. After the extraction of a predetermined amount of the Leafy drink is completed in this way, the control unit 27 ends the current process. Incidentally, the extraction residue of the crushed tea leaves used for the extraction of the Leafy drink is placed on the filter member 231b, and then discharged to a residue bucket (not shown) with a scraper or the like not shown.

[0046] As described above, in the beverage extraction method according to the second embodiment of the present invention, the tea leaves are crushed in the crushing process, the crushed tea leaves are put into the cylinder 23 in the charging process while the tea leaves are steamed in the steaming process, and the crushed tea leaves steamed in the tamping process are pressed and compacted to generate a compact 30, and in the pressure extraction process, hot water is supplied to the compact 30 of the crushed tea leaves while applying pressure to extract the Leafy drink. Therefore, the gap between the crushed tea leaves can be reduced. Thereby, by ensuring the resistance when the hot water passes through, the hot water can be passed through the tea leaves while applying pressure, and the extraction speed of the Leafy drink can be increased.

[0047] As described above, Preferred Embodiment 1 and Preferred Embodiment 2 of the present invention have been described. However, the present invention is not limited to these, and various modifications can be made.

[0048] In the above-described Preferred Embodiment 2, the tamping process was included. However, in the present invention, the tamping process may not be included.

[0049] In the above-described Preferred Embodiment 1 and Preferred Embodiment 2, hot water was exemplified as the extraction fluid. However, in the present invention, steam may also be used as the extraction fluid.

[0050] 1, 2... beverage extraction device, 11, 21... raw material storage unit, 12, 22... grinder, 13, 23... cylinder, 13A, 23A... extraction space, 131, 231... lower cylinder component, 132, 232... upper cylinder component, 14, 24... beverage supply path, 15, 25... hot water supply unit, 16, 26... air pump, 17, 27... control unit, 18, 28... storage unit, C... cup.

Claims

1. A beverage extraction method for extracting a leaf tea beverage from tea leaves and an extraction fluid, comprising: a grinding step of grinding the tea leaves; an input step of introducing the ground tea leaves obtained in the grinding step into an extraction space of a cylinder with a variable volume; a volume adjustment step of adjusting the volume of the extraction space so that it is filled with the ground tea leaves introduced in the grinding step; and a pressurized extraction step of supplying the extraction fluid under pressure to the cylinder whose volume of the extraction space has been adjusted in the volume adjustment step to extract the leaf tea beverage.

2. A beverage extraction method for extracting a leaf tea beverage from tea leaves and an extraction fluid, comprising: a grinding step of grinding the tea leaves; a steaming step of putting the ground tea leaves obtained in the grinding step into a cylinder and steaming them; and a pressurized extraction step of supplying the extraction fluid under pressure to the ground tea leaves steamed in the steaming step to extract the leaf tea beverage.

3. The beverage extraction method according to claim 2, comprising a tamping step of pressurizing and compacting the crushed tea leaves that have been steamed in the steaming step, wherein the pressurized extraction step is characterized in that the extraction fluid is supplied to the crushed tea leaves compacted in the tamping step while being pressurized.

4. The beverage extraction method according to any one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that the extraction fluid is hot water.

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