And just like that, before you know it, it’s summer! If you’re looking for a drink to beat the heat, then look no further than cold brew tea. A brewing method that has gained popularity in recent years for its ease of preparation, versatility, and delicious results – Cold brew tea is the perfect go-to drink to sip during these long and hot summer days. Let’s dive into the world of cold brew teas, covering everything from the basics of brewing to the benefits, recipes, and more.    

How to Cold Brew Tea

Brewing a cup of cold brew tea is a simple process that you can prepare from the comfort of your home. The process involves steeping tea leaves in cold water for around 8 to 10 hours, resulting in a smoother and less bitter taste compared to hot brewed tea. To make the process more streamlined for you, here’s a step-by-step guide to get you started:

1. Select Your Tea: The first step is to choose your favorite tea variety. You can prepare cold brew tea using everything from black, green, white, or herbal teas. Black tea is a popular choice among tea connoisseurs to prepare cold brew tea., but we encourage you to experiment with other teas to reach a flavor that best meets your flavor preference.
2. Measure the Tea: Now use a tablespoon to scoop out the loose-leaf tea or use one tea bag per 8 ounces of water. You can adjust the quantity of tea leaves or water to meet your desired taste preferences.
3. Combine Tea and Water: Place the tea leaves into a large glass, jar, or container and pour cold water. Gently stir the leaves to make sure all the leaves are fully submerged.
4. Steep and Wait: Now cover the glass or container with a lid or cling wrap and let it sit in the refrigerator for 8-12 hours. Keep in mind that the longer you let it steep, the stronger the tea’s flavor profile will be. We recommend doing this at night before you go to sleep, as you can wake up to a refreshing cold brew tea in the morning. 
5. Strain and Serve: After the steeping time, remove the covering and the tea leaves or tea bag, and pour the cold brew tea into a clean glass filled with ice. Feel free to add your preferred sweetener. You can also add milk or lemon to taste. 

Buy from our range of premium black teas to brew your batch of cold brew teas.  

Can You Cold Brew Green Tea?

Most people prefer using black tea to make cold brew tea. However, you can indeed cold brew green tea. As a matter of fact, green tea is a great option for cold brews as its delicate flavor and nutrients are better preserved during the steeping process. Cold-brewed green tea produces a refreshing grassy and floral flavor note that is sought out by many tea drinkers. However, keep in mind that green tea can become bitter if steeped for too long. So, compared to using black tea, steep green tea for a shorter time (around 6-8 hours).

If you’re looking to experiment with green teas for your cold brew, you can go through our range of premium green teas. 

Cold Brew Tea vs Hot Brew Tea

If the names aren’t already a dead giveaway, the main difference between cold brew tea and hot brew tea is the brewing method and the resulting flavor profiles. With hot brew tea, the tea leaves are steeped in hot water, which can bring out more of the tea leaves’ bitter compounds. On the flip side, preparing cold-brew tea produces fewer bitter compounds, resulting in a smoother and more refreshing taste.  

Besides being a less bitter option, cold brewed tea is also less acidic. This makes it a good alternative for tea drinkers with weak stomachs. However, like every good thing in the world, cold brew teas need to be consumed in moderation. Consuming too much of this beverage can result in tummy aches. 

Is Cold Brew Tea Healthier?

Compared to black tea, cold brew teas are often considered the healthier choice due to their lower caffeine content. This can be attributed to the cold brewing process extracting fewer caffeine molecules from the leaves. Cold brew tea may also contain more antioxidants and other beneficial compounds, as the slower steeping time allows for a more gentle extraction of the rich nutrients.  

Is Cold Brew Tea High in Caffeine?

Teas come in all shapes, sizes, and caffeine amounts. How much caffeine content a cold brew has depends on the type of tea used and the steeping time. Generally, cold brew tea contains less caffeine than hot brewed tea, but more than herbal tea. Most research studies show that cold brew tea contains about 40-70% less caffeine. This makes cold brewed teas a great alternative for those who are sensitive to caffeine. An 8-ounce serving of cold-brew tea can contain anywhere between 25 to 40 milligrams of caffeine, compared to 60 to 120 milligrams in hot-brew tea. 

Recipes and Variations

Cold brew tea is a versatile base for a variety of flavors and recipes. Here are a few ideas to get you started:

1. Fruit Infusions: Add to the refreshment of cold brew tea by adding slices of citrus fruits like oranges, mandarin, lemon, berries, or cucumbers.
2. Spiced Tea: Spice up your tea-drinking experience by adding cinnamon, ginger, or nutmeg to your cold brew.  
3. Iced Tea Lattes: Give your cold brew tea a creamy makeover by mixing milk, honey, and ice into your cold brew tea.
4. Tea Spritzers: Mix cold brew tea with sparkling water and squeeze a lemon into it to create a fizzy and refreshing drink. 

Sipping on cold brew tea is a great way to enjoy your favorite tea varieties. This delicious drink is simple to make and can be made with minimal resources and effort. With its smooth flavor and low caffeine content, it is no wonder that cold brew tea has become the go-to drink for tea enthusiasts, especially during summer. So, whether you’re looking for a relaxing drink to beat the heat or a quick and refreshing pick-me-up, cold brew tea is sure to satisfy you.