Steep
Aroma transfer
Moving flavor from one medium into another.
01At a glance
CategoryAroma transfer
Taste impactNeutral
Texture—
02How to do it
- 1Heat the liquid to the right temperature (off the boil for tea and coffee).
- 2Add the leaves, grounds, or aromatics.
- 3Let them sit undisturbed for the timed interval.
- 4Strain promptly to stop the extraction.
03Doneness & pitfalls
Doneness cues
- The brew reaches the target strength, color, and aroma.
Common mistakes
- Over-steeping pulls out bitter tannins.
- Water too hot scorches delicate leaves.
- Leaving the solids in keeps extracting past the sweet spot.