A vending machine which makes a decent cup of tea?

[srebbe64]

Does one exist? Okay, not the most important question in the world I realise.

In the corner of my office sits a pretty decent vending machine that makes coffee (about 6 different types), as well as chocolate and tea. Personally, I only like coffee with sugar, which is fattening, as is chocolate. I don't take sugar in tea (so it's better for me) but I've yet to come across a vending machine which makes a decent cup of tea. Does one exist? If so, it would most certainly assist in my health.

Any suggestions?

[chim_girl]

Do you still believe in Father Christmas too?

[wedge girl]

You need a tea lady

[Tuna]

The only solution I've come across is one of those constant/instant hot water machines, a sink and a fridge for the milk. It probably takes less time to pop a tea bag in and pour on the water than to type in your option and wait for the machine to do it for you. On top of that you can choose a decent blend of tea. The deciding factor is not having powdered milk in your tea, which ain't natural.

Vending machines are the devil's work.

[Dibble]

We have a vending machine inthe canteen at work that does about 8 variations of what is described as "coffee", plus hot chocolate etc etc.

If you want tea, it's the "hot water" button and a tea bag, then milk and sugar to taste...

Except the teabags on offer appear to be made from customs house dust sweepings and mouse poo, wrapped in used photocopier paper.

[chim_girl]

Dibble said:

Except the teabags on offer appear to be made from customs house dust sweepings and mouse poo, wrapped in used photocopier paper.

[pdV6]

Dibble said:

If you want tea, it's the "hot water" button and a tea bag, then milk and sugar to taste...

A place I used to work had a "fresh" tea machine. Large hopper of tea leaves on the top, press a button & it would take a scoop of leaves, make a brew and pour it into your mug, leaving you to add milk & sugar manually.

Still tasted terrible, though! Was all bits of stringy tealeaves floating about and I'm guessing that prolonged periods sat in the hopper did nothing for the taste of the leaves...

The matching coffe machine (that made a fresh cup from ground coffee each time) was ace, though! I d.d.d.drank f.f.f.far t.t.t.too m.m.m.much c.c.c.coffee in that job!

[srebbe64]

I bet the vending industry is a 'Billion Dollar Industry', you'd think that they'd have nailed the problem by now. All it needs is:

1) A refrigerant for milk.
2) Some type of tea-bag which acts quickly.

[john75]

At uni we had this machine that made lovely hot chocolate ideal before going into lectures for sleep

[Plotloss]

wedge girl said:

You need a tea lady

My mate works at a place where they still have a Tea lady.

Proles get it in mugs where as managers get a cup and saucer and a buscuit.

Absolutely magnificent I reckon.

[mr_tony]

I'm addicted to the tea from the machine in our office. IT's tetley I am told (confirmed by cheking inside the machine!) Doens't taste great, but I think it's the heroin that keeps me coming back

[tycho]

I have this machine in the office:

Brilliant

The hot chocolate is very addictive!

[srebbe64]

tycho said:

I have this machine in the office: Brilliant The hot chocolate is very addictive!

OK, but does it make a decent cup of tea - the chocolate is also very nice (which is half the problem).

[bridgdav]

tycho said:

I have this machine in the office: Brilliant The hot chocolate is very addictive!

Not a plug....

Flavia is by far the best vended Tea, single portion brew by pack...

It is the whitener, temperature and quality of water which play the biggest part in the taste profile of vended tea. That's why so mant taste foul. Tea should be drank without milk so I'm told.

There is some fact to my knowledge as....I am the Design Manager for Flavia equipment development...



Added Movie link...

www.flavia.net/customerService/flavia_experience.asp#

Works in a similar way to a Tea bag....





>> Edited by bridgdav on Wednesday 2nd February 12:28

[MilnerR]

After considerable investigation into the vending machine in our place it appears that all of the drinks are dispensed out of a single tube.
I use one of these www.anothercoffee.co.uk/products/item110100.aspx for making filter coffee. But then we have brewing up, fridge and microwave facilities for each office/lab.

[HarryW]

......blimey you'll be wanting honest politicians next

Harry

[RedTeg]

bridgdav said:

tycho said: I have this machine in the office: Brilliant The hot chocolate is very addictive! Not a plug.... Flavia is by far the best vended Tea, single portion brew by pack... It is the whitener, temperature and quality of water which play the biggest part in the taste profile of vended tea. That's why so mant taste foul. Tea should be drank without milk so I'm told. There is some fact to my knowledge as....I am the Design Manager for Flavia equipment development... Added Movie link... www.flavia.net/customerService/flavia_experience.asp# Works in a similar way to a Tea bag.... >> Edited by bridgdav on Wednesday 2nd February 12:28

Well, whoever is responsible for the Flavia Italian Roast coffee, tell them weel done from me. Probably as good as vended coffee gets.