Cold brew tea has grown increasingly popular over time and it is easy to see why. Steeping it for several hours in cold water creates a smoother and sweeter beverage perfect for warmer months--or any time! Plus, unlike hot tea, cold brew eliminates bitterness caused by oversteeping; making this method one foolproof way of enjoying all your favorite leaves! So how can we master this simple yet rewarding process? Let's find out!
In Picture: Cold Brewed Tea. Summary of techniques
Cold brew tea is worth exploring
Cold brew tea offers more than meets the eye; its benefits are genuine. Most importantly, its flavors drastically transform upon being steeped in cold water compared to hot, as less tannin is released which results in sweeter and milder cup that feels light and refreshing than its hot brewer counterparts.
Cold brew tea has many other health advantages as well; not only is it gentler on your stomach and retains more antioxidants compared to hot-brewed versions, it is an easy and hydrating beverage option that still provides health benefits - no special equipment necessary!
Best teas for cold brewing
Not all teas are created equal when it comes to cold brewing; while any will technically do the trick, some types can stand out amongst their competition and produce superior results:
Green Teas: High Zing Green and Himalayan Pearl Green from Nepal produce refreshing cold brews with subtle grassiness that make for great all-day sippers. They offer light yet refreshing options - ideal for sipping throughout your busy workday.
Oolong Teas: Oolong teas offer complex flavors with subtle sweetness that make them the ideal cold brewing teas, developing delicate floral and fruity notes which blossom beautifully when exposed to cold water.
Herbal Teas: If caffeine-free beverages are your cup of tea, cold brews containing hibiscus, mint and chamomile leaves can make an unforgettable beverage with amazing flavors -- as well as gorgeous colors!
Cold Brew Black Tea: For bolder flavors, cold brew black tea varieties such as Himalayan Noir or Assam for optimal results - you'll achieve rich, smooth flavors without bitterness in every sip!
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How to cold brew tea: A step-by-step guide
Cold brewing tea can be an enjoyable, stress-free process that yields wonderful results with minimal hands-on involvement from you, here is a helpful guide on getting started:
Choose quality tea: For optimal flavor, loose-leaf tea provides superior aroma; high quality tea bags also work. Measure Tea: Use 1.5 times the amount that would typically be used when hot brewing tea - roughly 2-3 tablespoons for every 1-liter pitcher is sufficient.
Add cold, filtered water: Pour cold, filtered water over your tea leaves - remembering the quality of water makes a significant difference here! Choose wisely.
Refrigerator steeping method: Place your container of tea into the fridge, and let it steep from four to 10 hours (depending on its type). Green, white and herbal varieties typically need shorter steep times while black varieties benefit from extended steeping sessions.
Strain and savor: Once finished steeping, strain out the leaves from your cold brew tea for optimal enjoyment - be it straight, over ice with lemon slices or fresh herbs added, or as part of an elaborate tea ceremony!
Add a twist: Spice Up Your Cold Brew by Tossing Lemon Slices or Mint Leaves For an Original Touch: Experiment with fruits like Strawberries or Peaches For Naturally Sweet Flavor
Explore steeping times: Longer steep times produce stronger flavors; for lighter tea brew, shorter is often best.
Store it well: Cold Brew Tea can last in your fridge up to 10 days after making, giving you enough to last throughout the week!
Ready to brew cold brew tea?
Cold brew tea can be an eye-opening, refreshing way of enjoying tea without much fuss or effort required from you. There's an infinite number of variations and little effort required, meaning there will never be boredom when drinking your favourite variety! So go ahead, pick out one of your favorites, brew some up in cold form, and experience something totally unique to the art of drinking tea!
About the Writer - Bhaskar Dahal
Bhaskar Dahal is a tea enthusiast and loves to experiment and share tea recipes and contents. He is also passionate about supporting tea artisans and farmers. Being raised in a tea farm and grown in a tea producer family, Bhaskar shares the first hand story of Tea from Nepal.
