Tea is majorly associated with hot water, hot cups, and the inviting smell of brewed leaves. What if you came to know there was a way to experience your preferred tea without ever boiling water at all? This is where cold brew tea comes in. The process of making cold brew tea is very different from traditional methods, as it uses cold water and allows the tea leaves enough time to infuse their taste into the water. The result is a fresh and refreshing beverage which is perfect for the summer, or when you do not feel like drinking a hot cup of chai.
Cold brew tea is easy to make as well. You don’t require any equipment, fancy techniques, or even professional knowledge about brewing tea. All you need are some good quality tea leaves, cold water, a vessel, a fridge, and some patience.
In this guide to Cold Brew Tea 101, we’ll take a look at what cold brew tea is, how it is different from iced tea, which teas to use for cold brew, how long to steep them, and more.
What is Cold Brew Tea?
Cold brew tea is tea that is made by soaking tea leaves in cold or cool water for long periods, unlike the fast extraction of flavours using hot water.
If hot water is used to brew tea, flavour compounds are extracted quite quickly. However, cold water takes longer, hence the preparation process will take several hours.
How to make cold brew tea:
- Tea leaves or tea bags
- Cold water or room temperature drinking water
- Clean jar or bottle
- Refrigeration
- A few hours to steep
- Once your tea gets to your desired strength, just strain out the leaves.
The beauty about this technique lies in its simplicity. Just prepare a bottle of tea in the evening and leave it in the fridge overnight.
Cold Brew Tea vs Iced Tea – Do They Mean the Same Thing?
They do not. Though people tend to use them synonymously, the brewing process differs.
Iced tea is normally brewed with hot water and then left to cool off or served with ice. The cold brew tea, on the other hand, is brewed in cold water for quite some time.
That brings certain differences in the process of brewing and taste as well.
| Cold Brew Tea | Traditional Iced Tea |
| · Brewed directly with cold water
· Requires several hours of brewing · It is an extraction process that takes its time · Usually left to brew in the refrigerator · Better to be made overnight |
· Usually brewed with hot water
· Quick to make · Fast extraction · Left to cool after being brewed |
Why Choose to Make Your Tea Using the Cold Brew Method?
The cold brew method is not merely an alternative for summertime. The cold brew method presents you with a unique way of tasting the same old teas.
- It Is Easy since you can make your tea in advance.
- It Provides You with a Unique Tasting Experience due to slow extraction.
- Perfect For Summer: With the increase in temperature, not everybody prefers hot tea.
Which Tea Should You Cold Brew?
There are some types of tea that you shouldn’t treat the same.
Usually, light teas, black tea, speciality teas, and herbal tea can all be tried out using the cold brewing method. But the brewing time and amount of tea required depend on the specific tea.
So, for instance, one might have to brew a very strong black tea differently from an herbal tea.
The qualities and characteristics of the tea come into play here.
Alexa Tea is a brand that makes teas harvested from tea-growing regions like the Himalayas, Assam, and Darjeeling. The current products by Alexa Tea include Alexa Best Tea, Elaichi Tea, Himalaya Premium Tea, Kashmiri Herbal Tea, Masala Tea, Punjabi Masala Tea, Royal Tea, and Second Flush Tea.
How to Brew Tea in a Cold Manner at Home?
Want to give it a go? Here are basic preparation steps that you can follow.
Step 1: Select Your Tea
For your initial trial, consider using a tea that is quite easy, like a black tea or a blend of different teas.
Step 2: Calculate the Amount of Tea
Start with 1–2 teaspoons of loose-leaf tea for every 250–300 ml of water. If you use tea bags, begin with one tea bag per cup.
Step 3: Pour Cold Water
Pour some cold drinking water to let the tea leaves soak well in water.
Step 4: Cool Down
Let the tea infuse for a few hours, around 6–12 hours. It will depend on the tea and personal preference as to how long the infusion process takes.
Step 5: Try before You Serve
Check the taste of tea after a few hours. If it is too mild, leave it for more time to steep. If the tea has the desired flavour, strain it out.
Step 6: Serve the Infused Tea
For a refreshing taste, add lemon, mint, orange peels, or fruit to the infused tea.
How Long Should Cold Brew Tea Steep for?
It all depends on the tea. An easy recommendation would be:
- 6–8 hours: Milder flavour
- 8–10 hours: Moderate flavour
- 10–12 hours: Intense flavour
These are recommendations rather than hard and fast rules.
Some teas might need less time, while others might need more time to extract. It’s best left to taste.
Tea Flavours for Cold Brew
After you become skilled at making a cold brew, you can try something else.
- Lemon Mint Tea
Brew your preferred tea and add lemon slices and mint before serving.
- Orange Black Tea
Add some thin slices of orange to your cold black tea to create a citrus-flavoured drink.
- Apple Cinnamon Tea
You can try some apple slices and a piece of cinnamon to get a spicier taste without hot brewing.
- Berry Tea
You can add strawberries, blueberries, or other berries to your brewed cold brew.
- Peach Tea
A few slices of peach will give an additional fruity flavour to your tea.
Note: Don’t forget that fruits need to be added after you have finished the brewing process.
Mistakes to Avoid When Preparing Cold Brewed Tea
Preparing cold brewed tea is quite easy. However, there are some common mistakes made by novice drinkers.
- Putting in Excess Tea
- Brewing it for a Long Time, as it will be hard to manage the taste of the tea.
- Using Poor Quality Water: The quality of the drinking water might affect the taste of the tea.
- Using Too Much Ice: Too much ice might ruin the taste as ice cubes will dissolve and the tea will become less concentrated.
- Storing It for Extended Periods: Treat the cold brew as a fresh drink.
Final Sip: Is Cold Brew Tea Worth Trying?
Definitely, especially if you love playing around with tea.
In contrast to the conventional way of making tea, cold brew involves brewing the drink using time instead of heat. This method is convenient, refreshing, simple to make, and brings the usual types of tea a completely new experience of being served.
When choosing between Alexa Royal Tea, Second Flush Tea, Elaichi Tea, Himalaya Premium Tea, Masala Tea, Punjabi Masala Tea, Kashmiri Herbal Tea, or Alexa Best Tea, you will get a chance to experiment with various flavours and find out which kinds of tea go well with your cold brew. These brands belong to Alexa Tea’s range of listed products.
And so the next time you feel like having tea without turning on the kettle, try this cool way of getting rid of the heat.
FAQs
Can all teas be used for cold brewing?
Many different types of tea can be used for cold brewing; among them black tea, flavoured tea, and herbal tea. The amount of time and tea may have to be changed depending on the type of tea you are using.
Is cold brew tea similar to iced tea?
No, because in cold brew tea, tea is brewed in cold water for several hours, but in iced tea, hot water is used to make tea and is then cooled.
Can I use any fruit in cold brew tea?
Yes, you can use lemon, orange, peach, strawberry, blueberry and many more fruits that can be added to the prepared cold brew tea.
Should cold brew tea be refrigerated?
Yes, the cold brew tea must be made and refrigerated in a clean, closed container.
Can I drink cold brew tea daily?
Yes, you can drink cold brew tea as part of your drink routine, but it is based on the type of tea, the caffeine in it and your dietary requirements.
