How to Cold Brew Tea

With the summer heat approaching, there's no better way to quench your thirst than with a cup of cold brew tea. Therefore, you need to master the steps of brewing cold brew tea and pay attention to some details.

Read on as we explain which teas are best suited for cold brew tea, the recommended timing for cold brew tea, and the steps for brewing cold brew tea.

What is Cold Brew Tea?

Cold brewing is a method of brewing tea using cold water instead of hot water. This method involves steeping tea leaves in cold water for a long time, usually several hours, to extract the flavor of the tea in a gentle and natural way. Unlike traditional hot brewing, cold brewed tea is softer, gentler, and less bitter. This also makes it perfect for brewing tea on hot days.

Best Tea for Cold Brew

Any kind of tea can be cold brewed. However, the quality of the tea will directly affect the taste and flavor of the tea. Although you can cold brew any kind of tea, it is best to choose a tea that suits your taste.

Here, we recommend you use the following 5 types of tea, including:

• Black Tea

• Green Tea

• White Tea

• Oolong Tea

• Pu'er Tea

All of the above teas can make excellent cold brew tea. Although the taste is different, they are all made with the same brewing method. Although many people think that green tea is the best choice for cold tea, it ultimately depends on personal preference.

For example, if you don't like drinking plain water, you can also add some of your favorite cold brew tea to it for flavoring. Doing so can encourage you to develop a good habit of drinking more water and replenish your body with more water.

If you like to make iced tea, then you can choose green tea, black tea, white tea or oolong tea to make it.

How Long to Cold Brew Tea

Cold brewing time varies depending on the type of tea and personal taste preference. Here are some recommended brewing times for 5 types of tea:

Black Tea

Black Tea is recommended to be brewed for 8-12 hours because it has a strong aroma. The longer the cold brewing time, the mellower the taste of the tea. However, it should be noted that the cold brewing time should not be too long, otherwise it will produce bitterness.

Green Tea

Green tea is relatively delicate, so the cold brewing time should not be too long to avoid excessive release of bitter ingredients in the tea. It is usually recommended to brew for 3-6 hours. The appropriate cold brewing time can maintain the fresh taste and aroma of green tea.

White Tea

White tea is less processed, so it can retain a more natural aroma. The appropriate brewing time can better reflect its natural aroma. It is usually recommended to brew for 4-8 hours.

Oolong Tea

There are many types of oolong tea, including pure and strong aromas. It is usually recommended to brew for 6-10 hours. In addition, appropriately extending the cold brewing time can gradually release the aroma and taste of oolong tea.

Pu'er Tea

By cold brewing, the unique earthy and woody flavors of Pu'er tea can be fully released. It is usually recommended that the cold brewing time be within 8-12 hours, which will help the formation of a deep taste of Pu'er tea, especially for cold brewed ripe Pu'er tea. A longer cold brewing time can make it softer and sweeter.

Step-by-Step Guide to Making Cold Brew Tea

Here are the tools you’ll need and some steps to follow to make cold-brew tea.

What You’ll Need:

• A Teapot
• A Kettle With Cold or Warm Water
• Tea Maker
• Tea

Step 1: Add Tea

Pour 2 to 4 tablespoons of tea into the teapot. For the best flavor, loose leaf tea is recommended.

Step 2: Pour Water

Pour a small amount of hot water into the teapot. It is usually recommended that the water temperature be 165°F or higher. The amount of water should just cover the tea leaves. To ensure safe drinking, we first crush the tea leaves with a small amount of hot water before pouring the water, and then add cold water.

The teapot shown in the picture is the Yue Klin Celadon Teapot.

It is made of natural fine clay. It is characterized by its fine bones, uniform glaze, and crystal clear greenish-blue glaze.  Save 45% off your order!

Step 3: Refrigerate

Fill the rest of the teapot with cold water and cover it. Then put the teapot in the refrigerator. It is recommended to soak for more than 3 hours to get a better taste. Of course, you can also try different amounts of tea and soaking time according to your preferences to get a taste that suits you better.

Step 4: Enjoy

Once brewed, remove from the refrigerator and use a tea infuser to separate the tea leaves from the water. Then taste your cold brew to see if it suits your taste. If the tea tastes too strong, simply add some cold water.

Where to Buy a Tea Pot

If you want to enjoy a more delicious cold brew tea, we recommend that you buy a teapot that suits you. Of course, there are many ways to buy teapots, such as physical stores or online stores.

To ensure the quality of the teapot you buy, we recommend that you buy it from a reputable teapot dealer. Then, Teatsy Chinese teaware is your best choice, and we provide you with a variety of tea pot for you to choose from.

FAQ

Can I Make Cold Brew With Regular Tea Bags?

Regular tea bags can be placed directly into the cold brewer and left in the fridge overnight or for at least 12 hours. As with other methods of cold brewing, lightly colored and flavored teas may yield milder results while dark teas may produce a more robust flavor.

What is the Ratio of Tea Bags to Water for Cold Brew?

The ratio of tea to cool water is 2 tea sachets (bags) for every 12-14 ounces of water or less or more depending on your taste preferences. Alternatively, the ratio of loose-leaf tea to water is approximately 2 perfect measuring spoons (3 teaspoons) of loose-leaf tea for every 8 ounces of cool water. Here you can learn about OZ and cup conversions.

Is Cold Brew Tea Healthier?

Recent published scientific studies have shown that cold brewing tea gives you more bioactive components than using the traditional hot brewing method, particularly the catechins, epicatechins, and theaflavins…the good stuff you want. Cold brewing releases more polyphenolic compounds while minimizing the release of caffeine.

Read more: What are Tannins in Tea.

Why Does Cold Brew Tea Taste Different?

The cold press method is much gentler and there is actually a different chemical reaction going on as the leaves interact and infuse differently in cold water than in hot. The flavor is extracted more consistently, there is more residual sweetness, less astringency, and a delightfully refreshing and smooth mouthfeel.

Summary

Cold brewing tea is a great alternative to traditional hot brewing methods, especially for hot weather or for those seeking a milder, less bitter tea drinking experience. Brewing tea with cold water gently extracts the flavor of the tea and brings out the natural sweetness of the tea. In addition, the brewing time varies for each type of tea, but it is usually 3 to 12 hours so that the unique aroma of each tea can be better brought out.

Cold brewing tea not only enhances the flavor of the tea but also makes it an ideal choice for increasing water intake due to its refreshing taste, which to a certain extent encourages people to drink more water.