Cold Brew tea is a straightforward process that results in a smooth, less bitter beverage compared to hot brewed tea. Here’s a step-by-step guide to cold brewing tea:
Choose Your Tea:Select the type of tea you want to cold brew. Black, green, white, oolong, and herbal teas all work well. The amount of tea will vary depending on whether you use loose leaf tea or Cold Brew Tea bags.
Measure the Tea:For loose leaf tea, use about 1 to 1.5 teaspoons of tea leaves per 8 ounces (1 cup) of water.For tea bags, use 1 tea bag per 8 ounces (1 cup) of water.
Add Tea to Pitcher:If using loose leaf tea, place the tea leaves directly into the pitcher or jar. For tea bags, simply add the tea bags to the pitcher.
Add Water:Pour cold or room temperature filtered water over the tea leaves or tea bags. The ratio is generally 1 cup of water per 1 to 1.5 teaspoons of loose leaf tea or 1 tea bag.
Cover and Refrigerate:Cover the pitcher or jar with a lid to prevent any odors from the refrigerator from affecting the tea. Place the container in the refrigerator.
Steep Time:Allow the tea to steep in the refrigerator for at least 6 hours. For stronger tea, steep for up to 12 hours. Most people find 8 hours to be ideal.
Strain the Tea (if using loose leaf):After steeping, remove the tea bags. If using loose leaf tea, pour the Cold Brew Tea through a strainer into another container to remove the tea leaves.
Serve:Pour the cold brewed tea into glasses over ice if desired. You can add sweeteners, lemon, or fresh herbs like mint to enhance the flavor.
Store:Cold brew tea can be stored in the refrigerator for up to 3 to 5 days. Keep it covered to maintain its freshness.