Brewing Tips

Cold brew tea has become more and more popular, and it's easy to see why. Steeping tea for several hours in cold water gives a smoother, sweeter drink that's perfect in warm weather, or any time. Unlike hot tea, cold brew can't turn bitter from over-steeping, so it's an almost foolproof way to enjoy your favourite leaves. Here's how to do it.

In the picture: cold brewed tea, with a summary of techniques.

Why Try Cold Brew Tea

The main difference is flavour. Cold water releases fewer tannins than hot, so cold brew tea is sweeter, milder, and lighter than the same tea brewed hot, and very refreshing.

It has other advantages too. It's gentler on the stomach, keeps more antioxidants than hot-brewed tea, and is an easy, hydrating drink that still gives you tea's health benefits, with no special equipment needed.

The Best Teas for Cold Brewing

Any tea will cold brew, but some types give better results than others:

Green teas: High Zing Green and Himalayan Pearl Green from Nepal make refreshing cold brews with a light grassiness, good for sipping all day, including through a busy workday.

Oolong teas: Oolongs have complex flavours and a gentle sweetness, which makes them ideal for cold brewing. Their delicate floral and fruity notes open up beautifully in cold water.

Herbal teas: If you prefer caffeine-free drinks, hibiscus, mint, and chamomile make cold brews with wonderful flavours and lovely colours.

Black teas: For bolder flavour, cold brew a black tea such as Himalayan Noir or Assam. You'll get a rich, smooth cup with no bitterness.

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How to Cold Brew Tea, Step by Step

Cold brewing is easy and takes very little hands-on time. Here's how to start:

Choose good tea: Loose leaf gives the best aroma and flavour, though good tea bags work too.
Measure the tea: Use about 1.5 times what you'd use for hot tea, roughly 2 to 3 tablespoons for a 1-liter pitcher.
Add cold, filtered water: Pour cold, filtered water over the leaves. The quality of the water makes a real difference here.
Steep in the fridge: Put the container in the fridge and let it steep for four to 10 hours, depending on the tea. Green, white, and herbal teas usually need less time, and black teas do better with longer.
Strain and enjoy: When it's ready, strain out the leaves. Drink it plain, over ice with lemon slices or fresh herbs, or however you like.
Add a twist: Try lemon slices or mint leaves, or fruit like strawberries or peaches for natural sweetness.

Play with steeping times: Longer steeps give stronger flavour, and shorter ones a lighter tea.

Store it well: Cold brew tea keeps in the fridge for up to 10 days, so one batch can last you the week.

Ready to Try It?

Cold brew is a refreshing, low-effort way to enjoy tea. There are endless variations to try, so you won't get bored. Pick one of your favourite teas, make a cold brew, and see how different it tastes.

About the Writer: Bhaskar Dahal

Bhaskar Dahal is a tea enthusiast who loves experimenting with tea and sharing recipes. He's also passionate about supporting tea artisans and farmers. Raised on a tea farm in a family of tea producers, Bhaskar shares the story of tea from Nepal first-hand.