94 Unit 1 Getting Started in the Kitchen Copyright Goodheart-Willcox Co., Inc. You can purchase coffee in instant form. Instant coffee products are dry, powdered, water-soluble solids made by removing the moisture from very strong, brewed coffee. Some brands are freeze-dried. Prepare instant coffee by adding freshly boiled water to the coffee gran- ules according to the manufacturer’s directions. Caffeine is a naturally occurring compound in coffee and some other plant products that acts as a stimulant. Decaffeinated coffee (and tea) is made by removing most of the caffeine. Decaffeinated coffee is available ground, whole bean, and in instant form. Preparing Coffee When you brew ground coffee, be sure to start with a clean pot. Thoroughly wash the inside of the coffeepot with hot, soapy water and rinse it well after each use. Oily fi lm that collects on the inside of a coffeepot can cause coffee to be bitter. Measuring can mean the difference between pleasing coffee and dreadful coffee. Measure fresh, cold water for the desired amount of coffee, 6 ounces (175 mL) per serving. Then measure 1 tablespoon (15 mL) ground coffee per serving for a regular strength brew. Measure 2 tablespoons (30 mL) ground coffee per serving if you prefer strong coffee. Serve coffee as soon as possible after brewing. Heating too long can cause substances in coffee to become more soluble, giving the coffee a bitter taste. Correctly prepared coffee is clear and fl avorful and has a pleasing aroma. Coffee drinks, such as cappuccino and latte are made with a base of plain coffee or a strong type of specially brewed coffee called espresso (Figure 5.7). Milk, sweetener, fl avorings, and toppings like whipped cream or cinnamon may be added, depending on the beverage. These drinks can be served cold or blended with ice until thick and creamy to prepare other popular variations. Tea Hot tea may be served in place of or in addi- tion to coffee at brunches, dinners, and other occasions. Iced tea is popular at picnics and other warm-weather get-togethers. Tea is the leaves of a small tropical evergreen used to make a beverage. Teas vary according to the age of the tea leaves and the way they are processed. Black teas are made from tea leaves that are fermented and dried. When brewed, black teas are amber in color and have a rich aroma and fl avor. Green teas are made from tea leaves that are not fermented. When brewed, green teas are a greenish-yellow color. Oolong teas are made from partially fermented tea leaves. The color and fl avor of brewed oolong teas fall between those of black and green teas. White teas are made from tea leaves that are gathered before they have fully opened. They are not fermented and produce a brew with a pale color and delicate fl avor. All four varieties of tea are available decaffeinated. Other Forms of Tea Tea is available in instant form. Instant teas may be sweetened and fl avored. They can be dissolved in cold or freshly boiled water. You can buy tea with a wide range of added fl avoring ingredients. Fruits like lemon, herbs like mint, and fl oral fragrances like jasmine are common fl avorings. Chai is a popular drink made from black tea fl avored with spices, which often include cardamom, cinnamon, ginger, and black pepper. It can be prepared with milk, sweetened with honey, and may be served hot or iced. Herbal teas are made from a variety of plants. They come in many interesting fl avors, and they do not contain caffeine. Fennel seeds, chamomile fl owers, ginger root, and mint leaves are just a few of the ingredients commonly found in herbal teas. Vitaliy Hrabar/Shutterstock.com Figure 5.7 Latte and cappuccino are popular drinks in coffee shops and cafes.