Hot tea is almost always an option when we need a morning pick-me-up. Hot drinks are known for waking us up and signaling the start of a workday, so a strong cup of hot tea will do the trick.
But how about sweltering days where the last thing we want is to drink something hot? Here is an alternative –try steeping tea in cold water and serve it over ice.
Here’s how you can make the perfect cold brew iced tea for those days you would prefer something a little more on the cool side.
Prepare the Ingredients
This part is easy. You only need tea and water. Loose leaf tea is preferable since it is generally higher quality than the tea found in tea bags, but either will do just fine. If you’re working with a teabag, you can just snip off the bag and use the leaves inside for a much fuller flavor.
As for the type of tea, almost anything goes. Green tea and black tea are good starter teas for a cold brew, but you can also opt for white tea, herbal tea, or the flavored tea leaves or the usual tea bags you find in the grocery store.
Measure the Tea and Water
To make sure your cold brew tea isn’t too strong or watered down, stick to a tried and tested ratio.
If you’re making cold brew tea with tea bags, use one teabag per cup of water.
If you’re using loose-leaf, use 1½ teaspoon of loose-leaf tea per one cup of water.
This is the usual measurement for cold brew tea, but you can adjust depending on how strong you want your tea to be. Try our measurements first so that you’ll have a basis for your first batch of cold brew tea.
Combine Ingredients in a Container
To avoid having to strain out all of the tea leaves, you can get an tea infuser to put the leaves in. For this purpose, it’s best to use a container with a wide mouth so it can fit easily for making the perfect brew for you. It will also make clean up a breeze! Glass jars or pitchers are perfect for making cold brew tea because they are easily cleaned in the dishwasher, and you never have to worry about stains. Lids for your containers are also a good idea for the steeping phase, so that while it is steeping in your fridge knocking it over won’t be a catastrophe, it won’t be able to have something fall into it or, certainly don’t want it to start tasting like your leftovers from last night.
So, here is the easiest part, put the tea leaves in the infuser, infuser in the container, add water—and voila! All you have to do now is cover and then put it in the fridge.
Let the Tea Steep
Even though you’re steeping the tea in cold water, it still is possible to over steep it. So do keep track of time. A good rule of thumb is to steep green tea and white tea for six to eight hours, and black tea for eight to ten hours. If you can’t really time them, make sure you don’t go past 16 hours for any type of tea. This way, the cold brew tea won’t have any hint of bitterness.
Just like cold brew coffee, cold brew tea can last in the fridge for up to five days. You don’t have to keep making this every day. You can make one big batch and then enjoy it for the whole week.
In Conclusion
Making cold brew tea is a simple and rewarding process that can bring a refreshing and delicious beverage to your daily routine. With minimal ingredients and a little bit of patience, you can create a variety of cold brew teas to suit your taste preferences. Whether you prefer fruity, floral, or herbal flavors, cold brew tea is a versatile and healthy alternative to hot drinks. So, give it a try. See how easy it is to make and how refreshing cold brew tea can be.
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