some of the hippies seem to like though

User Posted Link

but yeah, seems not good for tea, unless you're a scummer...

from the tefal FAQs User Posted Link

What temperature does the water reach?

The water leaves the Quick Cup at 90 degrees C.
Quick Cup is ideal for instant coffee, green and white teas, instant gravy and hot chocolate. For pure black teas (eg Assam, Darjeeling) and blended teas (eg from Tetley or PG Tips tea bags) a hotter temperature is recommended for a fuller flavour - but is not essential. It is all down to personal taste and certainly even though some packs of tea state that boiling water should be used, even from a kettle once poured the water has already gone off the boil and is around 95 degrees when it hits the cup. It is a fact that water heated at more than 95 deg will burn the tea leaves and eliminate all the essential flavours.
The temperature will drop depending on how cold the cup is and how cold the milk used is. We recommend to warm the cup first for best results.

I have noticed some scum on top of my tea. Why does this appear?

The film that has appeared is caused by the oxygen in the air which oxidises some of the soluble materials in the brew to form a film. Calcium and bicarbonate ions in the water promote this. Aproximately 15% of the tea film consists of calcium carbonate from the water and a further 80% comes from other organic material in the tea, the remaining 5% contains traces of magnesium and other metals. Acid blocks the film formation so tea drinkers who want less film could make stronger tea which is more acidic or they could add a dash of lemon juice. Unfortunately, milk seems to promote the film formation. The film is less noticeable when tea is made using boiling water. Though looking unappetising, the film does not do any harm.
Problem well known in hard water areas for kettle user's already as hard water promotes film.

Posted By: blindasabat, Jan 2, 13:33:52