Infusion

Infusion is the process of extracting chemical compounds or flavors from plant material in a solvent such as water, oil or alcohol, by allowing the material to remain suspended in the solvent over time (a process often called steeping). An infusion is also the name for the resultant liquid. The process of infusion is distinct from decoction, which involves boiling the plant material, or percolation, in which the water passes through the material (as in a coffeemaker).

History

The first recorded use of essential oils was in the 10th or 11th century by the Persian polymath Avicenna, possibly in The Canon of Medicine.

Tea is far older than this, dating back to the 10th century BC as the earliest recorded reference.

Preparation techniques

An infusion is a very simple chemical process used with botanicals that are volatile and dissolve readily, or release their active ingredients easily, in water, oil or alcohol. The botanicals are typically dried herbs, flowers or berries. The liquid is typically boiled (or brought to another appropriate temperature) and then poured over the herb, which is then allowed to steep in the liquid for a period of time. The liquid may then be strained or the herbs otherwise removed from the liquid. Unless the infusion is to be consumed immediately, it may then be bottled and refrigerated for future use.

Infusion (band)

Infusion were an Australian electronica band, originally from Wollongong which formed in 1998. Founding members, Jamie Stevens and Manuel Sharrad, met in 1988 at a local high school. Frank Xavier also hails from Wollongong, although he did not meet the other two until they had relocated to Sydney. Sharrad is Infusion's vocalist. They provide energetic live performances and have a long résumé of remixes. The band signed with Thunk Records, an underground electronic label.

The trio's music evolved from the rave and club scene, widening in scope to include traditional pop song structures. By 2004 the group had relocated to Melbourne, after signing with BMG in the previous October. Their 2004 single, "Girls Can Be Cruel", received airplay on Australia's alternative music radio station, Triple J. Infusion have also released singles on Audio Therapy and Marine Parade. They have played at international music festivals including the Glastonbury Festival, Roskilde Festival, the Meco Festival in Portugal, the Tshitraka Festival in Germany and Splendour in the Grass (all in 2004), the Big Day Out (in 2005 and 2009) and the Coachella Valley Music and Arts Festival and Creamfields Argentina (both in 2006). In December 2008, they played Homebake, alongside Crowded House, PNAU, The Vines and Sneaky Sound System. In 2009, they were part of the Australian contingent at South by Southwest in Austin, Texas.

Spike

Spike, spikes, or spiking may refer to:

Device to puncture or fasten

Technology and science

As a name

Spike (musician)

Jonathan Gray (born February 4, 1968), known professionally as Spike (sometimes also known as Spike Gray), is an English rock frontman, songwriter and vocalist, known for his times with The Quireboys with whom he has released seven studio albums to date.

Early life and education

Gray was born in Newcastle upon Tyne and grew up in Northern England.

Career

At age 17, he moved down to London where, eventually, he would form the rock band The Quireboys with Guy Bailey in 1984. After various tours and singles, Spike with The Quireboys released their debut album A Bit of What You Fancy (1990), which went to number two on the UK Albums Chart. The band gained significant success, but their second album Bitter Sweet & Twisted (1993) did not quite have the impact of the first.

After The Quireboys split up in 1993, he played in the United States, in Los Angeles, California, with a band called God's Hotel. He also sang lead vocals on a cover of Hank Williams's country classic "Hey Good Lookin'", with C.C. DeVille from the American glam-metal band Poison, for the soundtrack of the comedy film Son in Law (1993) that starred Pauly Shore.

Spike (surname)

Spike is the surname of:

See also