Abstract: A method of steeping tea including receiving a tea type; receiving tea data records, each including tea type, steeping time and steeping temperature; matching the tea type to one of the number of tea data records to obtain a corresponding steeping time and a corresponding steeping temperature; receiving successive sensed temperature readings of the steeping liquid; comparing the successive sensed temperature readings with the corresponding steeping temperature; once one of the successive sensed temperature readings reaches the corresponding steeping temperature, providing a first alert that the steeping temperature has been reached; after the first alerting step, receiving a dry tea input indicating that a dry tea has been added to the brewing liquid; activating a countdown of the corresponding steeping time after receiving the dry tea input; and once the corresponding steeping time elapses according to the countdown, providing a second alert indicating that the steeping time has elapsed.

Abstract: A thermometer. In at least one embodiment, the thermometer includes a dial plate having a dial surface including indicia, a temperature probe and an indicator overlying and moveable relative to the dial plate and the indicia thereon to indicate a temperature reading corresponding to the temperature of the probe. At least a portion of the indicator having a luminescent composition to provide a glowing light to enhance the visibility of the temperature reading under low light conditions.