perked

Perked is a term often associated with the process of preparing coffee. It specifically refers to the method employed by a percolator, a type of coffee pot that repeatedly circulates boiling water through coffee grounds. This continuous cycle is designed to extract flavor from the coffee. The term "perked" can also be used more broadly to describe something that has been made lively or stimulated. For example, one might say their interest was perked by a new piece of information. In this context, it implies an increase in alertness or enthusiasm. The literal meaning of perk, which is to become lively or cheerful, underlies this figurative usage. When coffee is "perked," the process involves heating water in a lower chamber, which then rises through a tube and sprays over coffee grounds in a basket. The brewed coffee then drips back down into the lower chamber, where the cycle repeats. This method is distinct from other brewing techniques like drip coffee or French press. Historically, percolators were a popular way to make coffee before the widespread adoption of automatic drip machines. The resulting coffee can sometimes be stronger or more bitter than coffee made with other methods due to the prolonged contact with hot water.