With a simple Japanese aesthetic and impressive functionality, Takeya’s Flash Chill Tea Maker was one of five finalists in the Kitchenware category in the Innovation Awards at last week’s International Home & Housewares Show. With the Flash Chill, you can brew, chill, serve, and store iced tea in one pitcher in just a few minutes, saving time, space, and hassle.
While sampling some different tea flavors at the Takeya booth at the Home & Housewares show in Chicago last weekend, I got a demo of how the maker works. First, you fill the pitcher halfway with hot water, brew the tea in the tea infuser (using either tea bags or loose-leaf tea) and twist off the infuser and remove it with an “infuser holder” which keeps it from dripping on the counter. You then top off the tea with ice, twist the lid airtight and shake to flash chill the tea in under 30 seconds. I felt the container when it was hot from brewing and then again after it was chilled — I was surprised how quickly it worked. A two-toned “thermo jacket” (with a trendy chartreuse lining) zips up to keep the tea colder for longer and absorb condensation.
The dishwasher safe and shatterproof pitcher is made of BPA-free and FDA-approved AcraGlass (a glass-like acrylic) and is stain, cloud, and odor proof. The airtight lid not only prevents leaks, but allows the pitcher to be stored in a refrigerator on its side, a handy feature for those of us with smaller fridge footprints. $21.99 – $29.99.
