Rostyslaw J. Lewyckyj wrote:

> Here in the USA, due to occupational health and safety concerns,
> almost all the cafe establishments operate with the restriction
> of NO BOILING WATER!.

Never heard that one! That's was I call al dente pasta!

I know that some people use charcoal filters on their shower head,
something about volatile chemicals in the water. But I've NEVER heard
of restrictions in restaurants.

> As a consequence they are unable to brew
> a decent pot of black tea!.

I'm reading this from alt.coffee. When I drink tea, it's usually a
green tea, and I've been told it's best NOT to use boiling water, but
something at around 185 degrees or so (if my memory serves me). Is
black tea different?

Since I'm on tea, I recently saw the blooming display teas on TV. They
are hand stitched in china, and come in a ball shape. When the hot
water hits them, they open up, and there are a couple of flower blossoms
inside. It's a cool and unusual novelty, and the one that I tried so
far actually was very good. A mild green tea with a decided floral
note. There are a couple of suppliers that will send a "free sample" or
two, for a couple bucks postage. I plan to order more. I think it
would make an unusual gift, along with a clear tea pot.

EXAMPLE:
http://scribalterror.blogs.com/scrib...splay_teas.jpg

> Now most of these places have espresso machines with milk steaming
> attachments. So here's my question.
> What is the temperature of the fluid (air/steam) which comes out
> of the steaming heads? Is it above the boiling point of water?
> and so, IF I ASKED NICELY, could be used by the barrista to heat
> the water in the teapot to boiling, and so fit to brew a decent
> pot of tea.
> Asking them to nuke a pot doesn't work because:
> - the pots usually have at least some metal fittings
> - water in a mug often super heats, and explodes when
> the cup is first disturbed.