Mastering the Perfect Cup of Tea with Zojirushi’s VE Hybrid Water Boiler & Warmer CV-JAC40/50

If you’re like us – you love to drink tea all year round, either iced or hot. But, in the colder months – and especially around the holidays, a nice cup of steaming hot tea goes a long way for comfort and to set the mood for the season. And whether you want to feel warm and cozy, clear a sore throat, or need a boost of energy, tea is sure to be a type of tea that works perfectly for your needs.

But did you know that different teas are best brewed at different temperatures? If you don’t brew at the right temperature, the tea could become bitter or not have the fragrance it should and will not be as tasty. Zojirushi water boilers have different temperature settings ideal for various teas so that you can brew your tea to perfection.

That’s why we are so excited to introduce our newest water boiler in our Zojirushi lineup: the VE Hybrid Water Boiler & Warmer CV-JAC40/50This water boiler has 4 different temperature settings that can be selected to brew different types of teas at their ideal temperature and even uses our Super VE (Vacuum-Electric) hybrid technology to save energy.

Here’s a closer look at our newest product’s features, followed by a detailed guide on mastering the art of tea with this water boiler.

The Gift that Keeps on Giving: The VE Hybrid Water Boiler & Warmer CV-JAC40/50 

Advanced Design: This appliance is available in two sizes that hold up to 4 or 5 liters of water at a time. The easy-to-read orange LCD control panel always shows actual water temperature, and its wide window water level gauge includes a red ball indicator to show you the water level. The inner sleeve also features distinct water level lines, so you know exactly how much you’re pouring in at all times. Lastly, the base of the water boiler features a built-in swivel that comes in handy when dispensing water.

Super VE Hybrid Technology: Featuring Super VE hybrid technology, the vacuum insulated sleeve on the inside of the water boiler helps keeping water at the selected temperature (160°F, 175°F, 195°F, 208°F) using less electricity, and can even keep water warm without using any electricity when using the “VACUUM” keep warm function. The energy-saving timer function can also be timed from 6-16 hours so that your water is hot and ready for you when you need it, without using energy while not in use.

Saves Time & Energy: Zojirushi water boilers are all designed to boil the water first before keeping it warm at the selected temperature. This was designed for safety, as well as to reduce the chlorine in water. If using bottled or purified water, this step can be omitted by using the Quick Temp Mode, which skips the boiling process and heats to the select temperature (160°F, 175°F, or 195°F), reducing time and energy.

Safe & Easy to Clean: This water boiler’s lid completely detaches to make the cleaning and filling process seamless. The interior is made with nonstick coated stainless steel, and as always, all surfaces that come in contact with food or water are BPA-free. For safety, this machine automatically shuts off to prevent boiling when dry, and features an automatic dispense lock to prevent accidental dispensing. In-lid and in-spout guards also prevent dripping when the machine is not in use.

Bonus for Coffee Lovers:  If you love your coffee just as much as you love your tea (or prefer it instead) – this water boiler’s Café Drip mode dispenses at a slower pace to create the perfect pour for drip coffee, as well.

Zojirushi’s Guide to Brewing Tea using the VE Hybrid Water Boiler & Warmer CV-JAC40/50

Brewing tea is truly an art, and the Japanese have been mastering this practice for centuries. If you brew a cup that is too cold, you might end up with a watery, dull cup of tea, and if too strong, the tea will become unpleasant. Fortunately, the VE Hybrid Water Boiler & Warmer CV-JAC40/50 heats your water to the four temperatures shown below at the click of a button, so all you need to do is click, dispense, and enjoy.160°F: Gyokuro. This specialty tea requires a lower water temperature to ensure optimal extraction.

175°F: Matcha, Green Tea, and white tea. At this temperature, the water is simmering but not boiling. If the water is too hot, you risk burning the tea leaves, which will result in a very bitter cup of tea.

195°F: Oolong. This water is almost, but not quite boiling. Oolong tea falls between green and black tea and can be darker, bolder, or more delicate like green tea.

208°F: Black tea and herbal tea. Water at this temperature is at a full boil. Herbal teas specifically can be steeped for longer periods of time, because they do not contain caffeine.

There are a few things to keep in mind for optimal performance. Check the unit at least once every 3 months for scale build-up. Minerals like calcium will accumulate on the interior surface and if not cleaned will cause issues with dispensing. You also don’t want to taste bits of scale in your tea. If you see scale built-up inside, learn how to take care of it by watching this helpful video:

What kind of tea do you like drinking best? Did you learn something new from our ultimate guide to brewing tea? Be sure to share your experience with us on social by tagging your photos on Twitter, Facebook, or Instagram! #Zojirushi #ZoFan

Hosting the Perfect Tea Party at Home

Hosting a tea party at home is one of our favorite ways to entertain our guests. If you’re looking to gather a small group of family together for some afternoon tea, you’ll need to begin the planning a few weeks in advance to prepare some tasty finger foods and have an array of teas available for your guests to choose from on the day of the party.

The Basics

Before you start to work on the menu, make sure you have everything in order!  We provided a checklist so that you can have your bases covered:

  1. Pick a date that works for you and most of your guests.
  2. Send out an invitation so everyone knows when and where you’ll be having your party.
  3. Be sure to ask your guests if they have any allergies, so you can keep that in consideration when planning your menu.
  4. Confirm how many guests can make the event.
  5. Plan to have enough mugs, plates, cutlery, snacks and a wide selection of tea for the group.

Menu Planning

Tea parties differ from brunch or dinner parties, and generally require a lighter menu that features a selection of finger foods. Here are some of our favorite go-to recipes from around the world that can be easily made using your Zojirushi Breadmaker that you may want to consider for your upcoming event. Pro tip: make as many of these treats of these ahead of time as possible, so you can enjoy getting ready and just hosting your friends on the day-of.

  • Apple Danish: Originating in Denmark, this is one of many sweet pastries from around the world enjoyed by all. This flaky bread with sweet apple filling can be part of a relaxing breakfast, or a satisfying mid-afternoon snack.
  • An-Pan: An-pan is a Japanese sweet bun filled with red bean paste and is recognized as one of the most popular snack breads in Japan. It was first made by a former samurai during the Meiji period (around 143 years ago), when Japan was becoming more westernized. Make sure to pinch shut the bottom of the dough to prevent it from opening while baking!
  • Bacon Pain d’Epi with Coffee Spread: Pain d’Epi is a type of artisan bread in which baguette dough is baked in a shape of a wheat stalk. Our version features a slice of juicy bacon over a robust coffee spread inside.
  • Broccoli Salmon Crescent Pocket: This large, flaky crescent sandwich is filled with salmon and cheesy broccoli. It’s the perfect tasty party dish.
  • Luscious Blueberry Loaf: Our recipe for this luscious blueberry loaf uses fresh blueberries and finishes with a crumb topping for a lovely presentation. Add the blueberries when the kneading cycle completes to maintain its shape and color.

Tea Selection and Temperature

As important as it is to have a wide array of finger foods, it’s also great to have a variety of teas to offer your guests at your party. This allows them to select the taste and caffeine level they are comfortable with. Some different types of tea we love include: Matcha, Gyokuro, Oolong, Black Tea & Herbal.

Did you know that different teas are best brewed at different temperatures? If you don’t brew at the right temperature, the tea could become bitter or not be as fragrant and tasty as it should. Zojirushi water boilers have different temperature settings ideal for a variety of teas, so you can brew your tea to perfection.  Find the perfect temperatures for your favorite teas below:

Secret Weapon

The Zojirushi Micom Water Boiler & Warmer’s (CD-NAC40) capability to heat water to various perfect temperatures is one of the main reasons this machine is our secret weapon for all tea parties.

But, there are many other features that make the water boiler useful, on a daily basis. For example, its Quick Temp Mode. Zojirushi water boilers are all designed to boil the water first, before keeping it warm at the select temperature. This was designed for safety, as well as to reduce the chlorine in tap water. If using bottled or purified water, this step can be omitted by using the Quick Temp Mode, which skips the boiling process and heats to the select temperature, reducing time and energy.

Additionally, the boiler has a useful timer. The timer setting will shut off the heater for an extended period of time, and automatically turn it back on, so you’ll have hot water ready for you after 6-10 hours. This is useful to set up at night so hot water is at the ready in the morning without keeping the heater on all night, using up electricity. With features like this, every day can be a tea party with very little effort!

Learn more here:

 

Did you try any of these recipes or host your own tea party? Be sure to share your experience with us on social by tagging your photos on Twitter, Facebook or Instagram! #Zojirushi #ZoFan #ZoParty

 

 

Product Inspirations – Micom Water Boiler & Warmer (CD-WCC30/40)-October 2018

Ahhh… autumn! The perfect time of year for warm, enticing, soothing food and drinks, especially hot beverages. We love this time of year and use our Micom Water Boiler & Warmer (CD-WCC30/40) so much during these cooler days.

The CD-WCC30/40 is a particularly convenient appliance to have on hand in your home or office. It’s designed to quickly heat water and keep it at the selected temperature, so you have hot water ready whenever you want to brew tea, make instant coffee or even a more fragrant toddy or hot cider.

This water boiler is meant to be versatile and comes in your choice of 3 and 4 liter capacities. The unit features an easy-to-read LCD panel that lets you set the water temperature and delay timer, dispense water with the touch of a button, as well as keep track of the actual temperature of the water inside in real-time. The entire water boiler rests on a swivel base for convenient serving, with the wide window water level gauge clearly visible along the side of the machine.

This water boiler and warmer also comes with the optional Quick Temp mode, a great feature for those who prefer to use filtered water or who need to quickly heat water to 160°F, 175°F or 195°F without first bringing it to a boil.

Using the water boiler is easy. Fill the inner container with water, plug in the machine, and select the desired temperature setting on the LCD display panel using the Temp Set button. The water boiler comes with four selectable keep warm temperature settings to choose from—208°F, 195°F, 175°F, and 160°F.

Delicate teas are best brewed at 160°F, while 175°F is the ideal brewing temperature for green teas. Oolong tea is best brewed at 195°F, and at 208°, the hot water is great for brewing black teas and herbal teas. At 208°, water is also hot enough to make coffee, instant noodles or oatmeal and blanch vegetables.

It’s also safe and easy to dispense hot water from the machine. Our smooth-operating electric dispensing system lets you simply place your cup under the spout, press the UNLOCK button, then press the dispense button. Café Drip Dispensing allows water to come out of the spout 60% slower, making it suitable for brewing café drip coffee.

This water boiler also comes with multiple safety features including auto shut-off, which turns off the machine when there is no water in the inner container, an automatic dispense lock, a removable magnetic power cord which easily detaches from the machine when snagged to prevent the unit from toppling, and in-spout and in-lid spill protection. Along with the nonstick coated interior, all parts that come into contact with the warmed water are BPA-free.

So, what do you normally use your water boiler for? If you don’t have a favorite recipe, we hope you try some of ours, like traditional Hot Green Sencha Tea and a classic British Tea along with more unique recipes like Black Tea Panna Cotta and Oolong Tea Chicken Bites! Plus, if you’re feeling a bit under the weather, try out this Cold Buster Soothie!

We hope you love these recipes and definitely share ones that you create in your own kitchen with us!

Product Inspirations – Micom Water Boiler & Warmer (CD-WHC40)

Our Product of the Month is our new Zojirushi Micom Water Boiler & Warmer (CD-WHC40)–perfect for home or office!

This water boiler looks great on a kitchen counter or conference table. It has a stylish, clear-coated stainless body, with an easy-to-read water level gauge, a swivel base and sturdy handle.

It’s also packed with convenience and safety features. It comes in a generous 4-liter capacity and has a rust-resistant stainless steel interior that is not-coated, unique among all of Zojirushi’s other water boilers. For those wishing to avoid nonstick coating, this stainless steel interior offers a durable and easy-to-clean alternative. To make storing the product more convenient, the Power Cord is detachable. All surfaces that come into contact with your hot water are BPA-free.

The water boiler is innovatively designed with a microcomputer chip that controls the way water is heated and kept warm. It heats water to one of four selectable keep warm temperatures—208°F, 195°F, 175°F and 160°F. Delicate teas are best brewed at 160°F, while 175°F is the ideal brewing temperature for green teas. Oolong tea is best brewed at 195°F, and at 208°, the hot water is great for brewing black teas and herbal teas. At 208°F, water is also at the ideal temperature to make coffee, instant noodles or oatmeal and to blanch vegetables.

This water boiler also comes with the optional Quick Temp mode, one of Zojirushi’s signature features. Using this feature, water is quickly heated to either 195°F, 175°F or 160°F without first bringing it to a boil, saving energy and a significant amount of time. The easy-to-read LCD panel shows the actual water temperature at all times, and the control panel allows you to easily dispense hot water by first pressing the UNLOCK button, then the DISPENSE button.

Brewing classic Japanese Sencha tea is easy using this water boiler when set to 175°F Keep Warm. At a slightly higher temperature of 195°F, Fresh Fruit Tea is perfectly brewed. And at the highest temperature, Houjicha, or roasted green tea, brews perfectly at 208°F. This water boiler lets you blanch vegetables for delicious salads, too. Try out our Okra, Asparagus and Cherry Tomato Salad, with veggies blanched at 208°F.

The CD-WHC40 has multiple safety features including an easily detachable lid, which makes disposing water safe, an automatic dispense lock and auto shut-off.

We love this new water boiler and are sure you will, too. Let us know how you use it in the comments below!

Micom Water Boiler & Warmer (CD-WCC30/40)

cdwcc

The Zojirushi Micom Water Boiler & Warmer (CD-WCC30/40) is one of our newest water boilers, and it’s a great addition to your home or office!

Designed to heat water quickly and maintain it at the selected temperature, this water boiler helps you have hot water available for brewing tea or coffee, or preparing foods like oatmeal, instant noodles or blanched vegetables throughout the day.

The CD-WCC Micom Water Boiler & Warmer is available in 3- and 4-liter sizes and comes with non-stick coated stainless steel interior, and water contact zones that are BPA free. It has an easy-to-read water level gauge, a swivel base and a sturdy handle for safe portability.

Brewing tea becomes an art when using this water boiler. Delicate teas such as gyokuro green tea are best brewed at 160°F, while 175°F is the ideal brewing temperature for Sencha green teas. Oolong tea is best brewed at 195°F, and at 208°F, the hot water is great for brewing black teas and herbal teas. The Zojirushi Micom Water Boiler & Warmer maintains water temperature perfect for brewing teas by letting you select one of four keep warm temperature settings from the LCD display on the main panel.

This Micom Water Boiler & Warmer also comes with an optional QUICK TEMP MODE, a great feature for those who use filtered water or who need to quickly heat water to 160°, 175° or 195° without first bringing it to a boil.

This water boiler also makes dispensing hot water clean and safe by using an electric dispensing system. Once your cup has been placed under the spout, press the UNLOCK button, then press the dispense button. The additional Café Drip Dispensing feature even allows you to brew Café Drip coffee by decreasing the amount of water to 60% of the normal dispensing mode.

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Electric dispensing is safe and easy

The LCD panel shows the actual water temperature at all times, and the convenient delay timer function saves energy by shutting off electricity to the heater until it’s time to heat water again.

This water boiler also comes with multiple safety features including auto shut-off, which turns off the machine when there is no water in the inner container, an automatic dispense lock and a removable magnetic power cord which easily detaches from the machine to prevent scalding and other accidents.

We hope you love this water boiler as much as we do! Share your favorite recipes with us in the comments!