I like tea and I am not fussy as to the type:from good old builders to Earl Grey, Rooibos to Lemon. But then I also like coffee, strong and milky although recently in an effort to live more healthily: with one sugar as opposed to two (and reluctantly de caff as I realised it does in fact help me sleep better.) Now lately the world of the modern consumer has been inundated with all manner of automatic coffee and hot beverage making machines.
It would be fair to say that I have tried quite a few fancy coffee concoctions in my time and travels but I personally feel that the European coffee machines just do not make the coffee hot enough. When questioned on this fact, the manufacturers always seem to settle their facial features into what one can only be called a pained grimace and inevitably reply, in their opinion, that we Brits like our drinks too hot. Not only that but it is common knowledge that brewing coffee straight from the kettle destroys the delicate flavours and aroma of the beans.
At any rate you may well understand my initial reluctance then to drink any hot beverage with water coming out of a boiling tap. Any person thinking seriously about a new kitchen will inevitably have come across this curious and seemingly amazing piece of kitchen equipment finding its way into more and more kitchen designs. It claims to do away completely with one of the most useful (and in the UK one of the most sacred) small appliances to be found in all kitchens – the kettle. So is all the hype justified?
The quick answer is yes. It has fast become an essential piece of equipment in any luxury designer kitchen. There are various different configurations available, but the basic design consists of a tank that is fitted below the worktop and houses an element that keeps the water at the correct temperature. The pipes are insulated so that when the tap is turned on, the water is dispensed at 100°C or just below, giving you instant boiling water. As large parts of the UK fall into hard water areas, it is strongly recommended that a filter is also installed that will ensure your cup of tea is clear of lime scale and reduce the need for constant engineer call-outs (although this is still recommended as an annual service).
Its uses are numerous, from basic hot drink making, filling up a pot ready for cooking to skinning tomatoes and sterilizing jars for preserve making. It does everything your kettle would do without cluttering up the worktop or having to wait for the kettle to boil. Another great aspect is that you only use the amount of water you need, I mean who can boil a kettle with exactly the right amount of water needed for any task? Usually there will be some water left in the kettle, which is in essence a waste of energy.
One of the most important things to bear in mind is you definitely get what you pay for, with the more expensive brands giving you the best results. We have had good experiences with both market leaders Quooker and Zip and in recent years they have expanded their range to include all-in-one mixer taps that also dispenses boiling water. Some can even give you chilled filtered water as well as sparkling and most come in a variety of shapes and finishes to fit into most design schemes. The taps are not cheap and they do have a running cost associated with them, which will need to include a yearly service call (or so depending on where you live). But in the long run its energy efficiency and convenience makes it worth it. Be sure to ask your kitchen designer to make you a cuppa in their boiling water tap if you are still unconvinced!
It would be fair to say that I have tried quite a few fancy coffee concoctions in my time and travels but I personally feel that the European coffee machines just do not make the coffee hot enough. When questioned on this fact, the manufacturers always seem to settle their facial features into what one can only be called a pained grimace and inevitably reply, in their opinion, that we Brits like our drinks too hot. Not only that but it is common knowledge that brewing coffee straight from the kettle destroys the delicate flavours and aroma of the beans.
At any rate you may well understand my initial reluctance then to drink any hot beverage with water coming out of a boiling tap. Any person thinking seriously about a new kitchen will inevitably have come across this curious and seemingly amazing piece of kitchen equipment finding its way into more and more kitchen designs. It claims to do away completely with one of the most useful (and in the UK one of the most sacred) small appliances to be found in all kitchens – the kettle. So is all the hype justified?
The quick answer is yes. It has fast become an essential piece of equipment in any luxury designer kitchen. There are various different configurations available, but the basic design consists of a tank that is fitted below the worktop and houses an element that keeps the water at the correct temperature. The pipes are insulated so that when the tap is turned on, the water is dispensed at 100°C or just below, giving you instant boiling water. As large parts of the UK fall into hard water areas, it is strongly recommended that a filter is also installed that will ensure your cup of tea is clear of lime scale and reduce the need for constant engineer call-outs (although this is still recommended as an annual service).
Its uses are numerous, from basic hot drink making, filling up a pot ready for cooking to skinning tomatoes and sterilizing jars for preserve making. It does everything your kettle would do without cluttering up the worktop or having to wait for the kettle to boil. Another great aspect is that you only use the amount of water you need, I mean who can boil a kettle with exactly the right amount of water needed for any task? Usually there will be some water left in the kettle, which is in essence a waste of energy.
One of the most important things to bear in mind is you definitely get what you pay for, with the more expensive brands giving you the best results. We have had good experiences with both market leaders Quooker and Zip and in recent years they have expanded their range to include all-in-one mixer taps that also dispenses boiling water. Some can even give you chilled filtered water as well as sparkling and most come in a variety of shapes and finishes to fit into most design schemes. The taps are not cheap and they do have a running cost associated with them, which will need to include a yearly service call (or so depending on where you live). But in the long run its energy efficiency and convenience makes it worth it. Be sure to ask your kitchen designer to make you a cuppa in their boiling water tap if you are still unconvinced!
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