How to cold brew tea
Cold brew tea is steeped slowly in cold water in the fridge. The cold water takes out less of the bitter part, so the tea tastes smooth, sweet and soft.
The basics
- Leaf: 6 to 8 grams (about 2 to 3 teaspoons) per litre of water
- Water: cold, filtered water
- Time: 6 to 12 hours in the fridge. Green and white tea need 4 to 8 hours
Step by step
- Put the leaf in a jar or a bottle, or use tea bags.
- Fill the jar with cold, filtered water and close it.
- Put it in the fridge for 6 to 12 hours, for example overnight.
- Strain out the leaf and drink the tea over ice.
- Keep it in the fridge and drink it within 2 days.
Which teas are best?
- Green tea and white tea: sweet and fresh
- Oolong: floral and smooth
- Black tea: round and mild, with hardly any dryness
- Fruit and herbal infusions: they work well, and a few hours are enough
Tips
- A slice of lemon, mint or fruit makes it more refreshing.
- Taste it after 6 hours and decide if it needs more time.
- Make a big jar at the start of the week, but keep to the 2 days.
Try it with these teas
More guides
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- How to brew green tea without bitterness
- How to brew black tea: temperature, time and milk
- How to brew white tea: gentle and sweet
- How much caffeine is in tea?
- How to store tea so it stays fresh