New Recipe Available - Ultra Light

Written by: Alyssa Chapman

Often I leave the experimenting to Lance Hedrick and Nick Chapman, but this recipe is different. This recipe I had the chance to be in the middle of the creation process and got to experience that “Eureka!” moment.

Mint Tea

It all started with a new tea purchase. While coffee has my husband’s heart, I am a tea lover. I purchased a new tea from a local shop that featured several dried fruits, lemon peel, lemon myrtle, and mint. I read the description, I smelled the dry herbal tea, and gleefully purchased it.

The time came to brew my new tea purchase. I wasn’t sure what water recipe to use for this tea, so I ended up boiling tap water. I let it steep and waited patiently. My first sip was POWERFUL. All I could taste was mint and it was very overwhelming. Devastation settled in when I thought that I had money down the drain as I now own a tea I can’t even enjoy.

I explained my problem to Nick and he asked if I had ever tried Lotus water with my tea. He grabbed his set and created the Ultra Light recipe. He brewed the tea and handed me the cup. I was nervous to try it as herbal teas tend to steep at a much hotter temperature for a longer time thus giving the mint leaves all the tools necessary to ruin the experience. I thought that the mint would take over again and hesitantly took a sip. The tea was brand-new. The mint was not overpowering, but a complimenting flavor. 

Now I find myself gravitating to this recipe. Not only is it very easy to remember, one drop of everything except sodium, but this is one of my favorite recipes based on taste. I use it for not only brewing but also as drinking water!

Ultra Light Water

Now, how does this impact your coffee? Well, similar to the tea, this water recipe is very subtle and soft.

Brewing with completely distilled water will create a boring, flat, and under extracted cup. Too many minerals will create a muddled, over extracted cup. This is why there are recommended TDS ranges – to create a balance of just the right amount of minerals to contribute to your brew’s aroma, texture, flavor, and extraction. 

This water recipe may surprise you at coming in at 56 mg/L. We weren’t kidding when we said this is soft water! Because of this, this recipe probably won’t be your first choice for a full-body or heavily roasty-toasty beans. It will not highlight those qualities with the lack of minerals.

Instead, we found enjoyment using the Ultra Light to create a more delicate, tea-like cup. Coffees that are lightly roasted are optimal for the Ultra Light recipe.

Whether you are brewing coffee or tea, grab your Lotus set and give Ultra Light a try! You just might discover a new favorite recipe.

Until next time,

Alyssa