Chapter 5 Preparing Simple Recipes 95
Copyright Goodheart-Willcox Co., Inc.
Some of the plants used in herbal teas can
cause allergic reactions. Some herbal teas can also
interact with certain medications. When purchasing
herbal teas, choose commercial brands. Avoid herbal
mixtures that claim to have special health or medic-
inal properties. Check with a healthcare provider if
you have concerns or questions.
Red tea, also known as rooibos (ROY-boss), is
brewed from an herb grown in South Africa. It has an
amber color and is naturally caffeine-free (Figure 5.8).
Preparing Tea
You can purchase tea in teabags or in loose
form. To prepare either form of tea, begin by
rinsing a clean teapot or cup with boiling water
to preheat it. Place a teabag or loose tea in the
preheated pot or cup. (Place loose tea directly in
the bottom of the pot or cup, in a cheesecloth bag,
or in a tea infuser. A tea infuser is a small mesh or
perforated container.) Then pour freshly heated
water over the tea. Allow the tea to steep two to
six minutes, until it reaches the desired strength.
Remove the teabag or leaves from the pot before
serving. If the tea leaves stay in contact with the
water too long, the tea can become bitter. Serve
cream, sugar or honey, and lemon with tea.
Prepare iced tea by fi rst making strong hot tea.
If desired, dissolve honey or sugar in the tea. Then
pour the tea over ice and stir until chilled. Making
the hot tea stronger than you usually drink it will
keep the ice from diluting the iced tea too much.
Chocolate and Cocoa Beverages
Hot chocolate is made with chocolate, which
is usually shaved or ground to help it melt when
hot liquid is added. Hot cocoa is made with
cocoa powder and sugar. Unlike chocolate, cocoa
powder contains very little fat. Therefore, hot
cocoa is less rich than hot chocolate.
Both hot chocolate and hot cocoa contain
milk or cream. This means you must use low
temperatures to prevent scorching. Choose
nonfat milk to reduce calories.
Do not allow these beverages to boil after
adding milk. Beating these beverages with a
whisk until foamy will keep the milk from
forming a scum layer. If desired, you may fl avor
either beverage with vanilla extract. Try adding
fl avorings like peppermint extract, orange
extract, or cinnamon for tasty variations.
Exploring Careers
Barista
Baristas do all the tasks involved with
waiting on customers in a coffeehouse. They
weigh, grind, and pack coffee. They prepare
and serve coffee beverages and other menu
items. Baristas order and stock supplies.
They also clean work areas and equipment.
Successful baristas are friendly, helpful,
and have good listening skills for accurately
taking customer orders. They use speaking
skills to describe menu items to customers.
Baristas use math skills to make change and
balance cash drawers. They need to be able
to work as members of a team as they relay
orders to other employees for preparation.
Baristas must keep up with a fast-paced
work environment when there is a rush of
customers. They must see what needs to be
done and take the initiative to do it.
Barista is an entry-level job. However, many
coffeehouses prefer to hire people with high
school diplomas. A background in foodservice
is helpful but not required. Baristas will learn
how to perform most tasks from coworkers
and training manuals. In time, baristas may
move into jobs as coffeehouse supervisors or
managers. Their skills will also help them fi nd
work in other areas of the hospitality industry.
Africa Studio/Shutterstock.com
Figure 5.8 Each type of tea has a characteristic
color and aroma. How long should tea leaves be
allowed to steep in order to achieve a pleasing flavor?
Copyright Goodheart-Willcox Co., Inc.
Some of the plants used in herbal teas can
cause allergic reactions. Some herbal teas can also
interact with certain medications. When purchasing
herbal teas, choose commercial brands. Avoid herbal
mixtures that claim to have special health or medic-
inal properties. Check with a healthcare provider if
you have concerns or questions.
Red tea, also known as rooibos (ROY-boss), is
brewed from an herb grown in South Africa. It has an
amber color and is naturally caffeine-free (Figure 5.8).
Preparing Tea
You can purchase tea in teabags or in loose
form. To prepare either form of tea, begin by
rinsing a clean teapot or cup with boiling water
to preheat it. Place a teabag or loose tea in the
preheated pot or cup. (Place loose tea directly in
the bottom of the pot or cup, in a cheesecloth bag,
or in a tea infuser. A tea infuser is a small mesh or
perforated container.) Then pour freshly heated
water over the tea. Allow the tea to steep two to
six minutes, until it reaches the desired strength.
Remove the teabag or leaves from the pot before
serving. If the tea leaves stay in contact with the
water too long, the tea can become bitter. Serve
cream, sugar or honey, and lemon with tea.
Prepare iced tea by fi rst making strong hot tea.
If desired, dissolve honey or sugar in the tea. Then
pour the tea over ice and stir until chilled. Making
the hot tea stronger than you usually drink it will
keep the ice from diluting the iced tea too much.
Chocolate and Cocoa Beverages
Hot chocolate is made with chocolate, which
is usually shaved or ground to help it melt when
hot liquid is added. Hot cocoa is made with
cocoa powder and sugar. Unlike chocolate, cocoa
powder contains very little fat. Therefore, hot
cocoa is less rich than hot chocolate.
Both hot chocolate and hot cocoa contain
milk or cream. This means you must use low
temperatures to prevent scorching. Choose
nonfat milk to reduce calories.
Do not allow these beverages to boil after
adding milk. Beating these beverages with a
whisk until foamy will keep the milk from
forming a scum layer. If desired, you may fl avor
either beverage with vanilla extract. Try adding
fl avorings like peppermint extract, orange
extract, or cinnamon for tasty variations.
Exploring Careers
Barista
Baristas do all the tasks involved with
waiting on customers in a coffeehouse. They
weigh, grind, and pack coffee. They prepare
and serve coffee beverages and other menu
items. Baristas order and stock supplies.
They also clean work areas and equipment.
Successful baristas are friendly, helpful,
and have good listening skills for accurately
taking customer orders. They use speaking
skills to describe menu items to customers.
Baristas use math skills to make change and
balance cash drawers. They need to be able
to work as members of a team as they relay
orders to other employees for preparation.
Baristas must keep up with a fast-paced
work environment when there is a rush of
customers. They must see what needs to be
done and take the initiative to do it.
Barista is an entry-level job. However, many
coffeehouses prefer to hire people with high
school diplomas. A background in foodservice
is helpful but not required. Baristas will learn
how to perform most tasks from coworkers
and training manuals. In time, baristas may
move into jobs as coffeehouse supervisors or
managers. Their skills will also help them fi nd
work in other areas of the hospitality industry.
Africa Studio/Shutterstock.com
Figure 5.8 Each type of tea has a characteristic
color and aroma. How long should tea leaves be
allowed to steep in order to achieve a pleasing flavor?