On a hot summer day, there's nothing more comforting than taking a sip of loose leaf cold brew tea!
How to make loose leaf cold brew tea: 4 simple steps
1. Put loose leaf tea into a large jar.
2. Add water to the jar, either room temperature or ice water. Add 500 ml of water for every 5 grams of loose leaf tea, and increase accordingly.
3. Stir the loose leaf tea and water mixture well, then place it in the refrigerator to chill for 6-12 hours (it can be left overnight).
4. After the chilling time is up, take the jar out of the refrigerator and strain it to separate the tea leaves from the tea.
Now you can enjoy delicious loose leaf cold brew tea, and you can also add fruits or other ingredients you like to enhance the flavor. Many of the best loose leaf tea, such as Longjing and Fenghuang Dancong, taste exceptionally good when cold brewed and are definitely worth trying.
FAQ:
How does the taste of cold brew tea differ from hot brew tea?
Compared to hot-brewed tea, loose leaf tea made with the cold brew method has a sweeter flavor and less bitterness. Refreshing loose leaf cold brew tea is perfect as tea gift sets for family and friends in the summer.
When you try cold brewing the tea you usually brew with hot water, you'll notice some flavors in the cold brew tea that you might not have noticed in the hot brew tea. These flavors are often masked by the more readily released substances in hot water. This can be a novel and interesting experience. It's also fun to try cold brewing different kinds of tea using a loose leaf tea sampler.
Some people also report that loose leaf cold brew tea is smoother and incredibly refreshing.
Find more cold brew tea with our Cold Brew Tea Sampler.
What can be added to loose leaf cold brew tea?
Foods with refreshing and fresh characteristics are great additions to loose leaf cold brew tea. These include strawberries, apples, pineapples, lemons, mint, cucumbers, and more.
Some of the best oolong tea, such as Fenghuang Dancong and TieGuanyin, have a delightful taste when paired with fruits.
If you prefer some sweetness, you can add honey or white sugar.
I'm worried about the hygiene of loose leaf cold brew tea!
Hot brewed tea uses hot water that can kill potential bacteria. Hot brewed tea is usually consumed immediately after brewing, whereas cold brew tea is often left for a longer period. Compared to hot brewed tea, loose leaf cold brew tea does indeed have more hygiene concerns.
Here are some tips for healthier consumption of loose leaf cold brew tea:
- Opt for high-quality loose leaf tea rather than bagged tea. Tea bags contain broken leaves that make it difficult to judge the tea's quality and may harbor debris and bacteria.
- Exercise caution when selecting cold brew teas with added fruits; choose versions that are freshly produced to minimize the risk of microbial growth, as fruit pieces are more prone to contamination than pure loose leaf tea.
- Consume the prepared cold brew tea promptly and avoid leaving it in the refrigerator for extended periods.
- Before cold brewing, rinse the loose leaf tea with water to remove any impurities.
There are many high-quality loose leaf teas in Chinese tea culture. These teas do not include fruit pieces that can easily harbor bacteria; they rely solely on the quality of fresh leaves and meticulous production techniques to create rich flavors and aromas. Chinese tea also includes niche categories such as wild teas. If you're interested in trying Chinese organic loose leaf tea, you can explore within the range of wild teas.
Why is my loose leaf cold brew tea too teak?
If your cold brew tea turns out too weak, it might be because the tea leaves weren't thoroughly mixed with the water. After adding loose leaf tea to water, ensure to stir it well. If you're using tea bags for cold brewing, consider cutting them open and mixing the tea leaves directly with the water to achieve a richer flavor.
Another reason for weak tea could be that the cold brew time was too short. Try extending the steeping time by several hours beyond the initial cold brew period.
Can I steep the tea with hot water first and then refrigerate it?
Yes, you can steep loose leaf tea in hot water first and then refrigerate it for cold brew. This method significantly reduces the cold brew time. Normally, teas require at least 6 hours of steeping for sufficient flavor, but with this method, 2-3 hours may be enough.
Another common cold brew method is to add loose leaf tea to a large jar, pour in half hot water and half cold water, then refrigerate.
However, using all or part hot water for cold brewing may increase bitterness. If you enjoy a stronger tea flavor, this slight bitterness may not be an issue for you.
iTeaworld offers a variety of high-quality loose leaf teas, making them perfect for gifting to friends.They are worthwhile best buy Summer Sale.
If you're struggling to decide what to buy during the summer sale, consider selecting some loose leaf teas. They are not only healthy and delicious for personal enjoyment but also make excellent choices for staying refreshed in the summer heat.
