We are often approached by inventers with a new tea brewing idea, and
occasionally have taken on development of their brainchild. Look
however at the ratio of patents to successful commercial devices to
divine the prospects of getting one to work acceptably.
In the 1990s normally savvy Unilever perceived a market gap for the
high speed tea bar and spent an unbelievable amount of cash developing
the "T-Bird" auto brewer. Their Ch'a Bars had this glass and shiny
metal monstrosity on the counter as "theatrical sight and sound
display" that visually high-speed-automatically-brewed your tea before
your very eyes ("Turbo brewing under two illuminated wings using a
pulsing jet of water"). The Agony of the Leaves could be seen and
possibly felt as brewing time was accelerated to match the consumers'
impatience ("25 seconds from click to cup"). No baristas, Unilever
had "highly skilled and well trained 'tipsters'". Walls and tables
were adorned with quirky mock tea quotes and limericks manufactured by
their PR company. The atmosphere was what I believe is known as
"funky". In the UK at least Ch'a Bars failed dismally and when last I
heard the T-Bird was "available to license". Enough said.

Nigel at Teacraft


On Jan 23, 2:02 pm, cha bing wrote:
Article in NY Times on coffee:http://www.nytimes.com/2008/01/23/dining/23coff.html

If this is where mass market coffee is going, can tea be far behind?
This type of machine may never achieve the same popularity as easy
grab-and-go espresso that is popular now, but this article is
interesting for those of us who cherish the idea of brewing a perfect
cup of something. I love the fact that brewing tea is always a bit of
a mystery, and I love it when I do finally get that perfect cup.