Making Refreshing Iced Tea Using Teas From Nepal Tea Collective

It’s a hot summer day and you’re listening to “Island in the Sun” by Weezer on Spotify. You’re craving for something . . . anything cool and refreshing to quench your thirst. Why not try making some delicious iced tea using teas from Nepal Tea Collective? After all! These high-quality teas from the Himalayas are just perfect for crafting a refreshing and thirst-quenching serving of chilled iced tea to beat the heat. 

In this article, let us walk you through the steps to make the perfect iced tea using teas from Nepal Tea Collective. We’ll guide you through the simple processes that will have you sipping on a  refreshing glass of iced tea in no time.   

Choosing the Right Tea

The first and most important step is to select the right tea. While you can make iced tea using any tea from black, oolong, green, and white tea leaves, most prefer iced teas made using black tea. However, we encourage you to try out any teas to see which one you like best. We personally recommend Kanchanjangha Noir. This tea is a definite crowd pleaser known for its chocolaty and fruity flavor notes that's just right for iced teas and goes exceptionally well with sweeteners. 

If you prefer a lighter and more delicate iced tea, our White Prakash is a wonderful choice. This white tea has a lovely, subtle sweetness that’s perfect for a hot summer day. With its floral and buttery flavor notes, White Prakash can be a great choice to make iced tea.    

But as we’ve mentioned, no matter which tea you choose, you can rest assured that it’s been grown and harvested with the utmost care by experienced and dedicated farmers of Nepal. 

Preparing the Tea

Once you’ve narrowed down on your tea, it’s time to get brewing. The secret to preparing a great iced tea is to brew it at double the strength of a regular hot cup of tea. Doing this ensures that the flavor doesn’t get diluted when you add the ice later on. 

Start by boiling some fresh water. While the water is heating up, measure around 2 to 3 teaspoons of the tea you’ve chosen from Nepal Tea Collective, per cup of water. If you’re looking to prepare a big batch, increase the amount of tea leaves accordingly. 

As the water is boiling, pour the tea leaves over and let it steep for around 5 to 7 minutes. Remember to give it a gentle stir a couple of times to make sure that the leaves are all submerged and can release all their wonderful flavors.

Once the tea has steeped, it’s time to strain out the leaves. You can use a strainer or even a clean coffee filter paper to ensure a nice, clear tea. Make sure to not squeeze the tea leaves as doing so may release some unwanted bitter compounds.

Chilling and Serving

Congratulations! You’ve got your concentrated and flavorful tea. It’s now time to chill it down. One of the best ways to do this is by pouring the liquor into a heat-resistant container and placing it in the refrigerator for at least 2 to 3 hours until it is completely cold. It is also a common practice to leave it in the refrigerator overnight. 

Another effective method to speed up the chilling process is by pouring the hot tea liquor over a stack of ice cubes in a pitcher or a large jar. The ice will quickly cool down the tea and you can start enjoying it right away. 

When you’re serving the tea, fill your glass or pitcher with ice cubes, then pour the chilled tea over into the container. You can add any additional flavorings or garnishing at this point. Some of the best choices include lemon, lime, orange, or berries. 

You can also add mint leaves or soda water, and even honey or syrup to give the drink an extra kick. The great thing about iced tea is its versatility. There are quite a few options to customize the drink to meet your preferences. You can make it as sweet, tangy, or refreshing as you like. 

Reusing the Tea Leaves

One of the best things about using the high-quality teas from Nepal Tea Collective is that you can often reuse the same tea leaves multiple times. Once you’ve strained out the initial batch of iced tea, simply add some more hot water to the same tea leaves and steep it for a few more minutes. You can repeat the process 2 to 3 times, depending on the type of tea that is being used. The subsequent infusions may be a bit lighter in color and flavor, but they will still be delicious and refreshing.

Experimenting with Flavors

While teas from Nepal Tea Collective are delicious and flavorful on their own, when it comes to making iced teas, you can get creative and experiment with different flavor combinations. We’ve listed down a few ideas that you can try:

• Infuse the tea with herbs like lemongrass, mint, or ginger to give your drink a tangy twist. 
• Add a splash of fruit juice or squash such as lemon or orange for a citrusy zing. 
• Add fresh berries or stone fruits for a naturally sweet and fruity drink.
• Pour some honey or syrup to further sweeten the refreshing drink.
• Add a splash of milk or a scoop of vanilla ice cream for a creamy and indulgent drink. 

The possibilities are virtually endless when it comes to sprucing up your iced tea. Experiment with various combinations and you’ll never get sick of preparing iced tea.  

Storing and Keeping It Fresh

Did you know that they also keep well in the fridge? It’s true! You can make a big batch and keep enjoying it over several days. Just make sure to store it in an airtight container or jar to prevent it from absorbing any unwanted odors from inside your refrigerator. 

A properly refrigerated iced tea will stay fresh for anywhere from 3 to 5 days. If you feel like it has lost some of its flavor or become cloudy after a day or two, try giving it a good stir and add a few more ice cubes to revitalize it.

If that’s not enough, you can also pour the iced tea into an ice cube tray or popsicle mold for a fun and refreshing treat to suck on during hot summer days. Simply pop the frozen tea cubes into a glass of water for a quick and flavorful iced tea. 

Making iced tea with teas from Nepal Tea Collective is a simple and highly rewarding process. Following only a few key initial steps will open an arsenal of creative options that you can use to create a refreshing and thirst-quenching beverage that’s perfect for summer. Whether you’re looking for strong flavors that only black tea offers or something light and creamy that only white teas offer, Nepal Tea Collective has a variety of high-quality options to choose from. 

So, the next time you're looking to beat the heat, reach for some Nepal Tea Collective teas to craft your own signature iced tea.