How to Make Cold Brewed Tea
How to Make Cold Brewed Tea
Sometimes it’s just too hot to turn on the stove and boil water. We get it. For the extra sticky days, the cold brew method is the way to go. The cold brew method results in a slightly different flavor profile than conventional hot brewed iced tea. Generally, iced tea made using the cold brew method is less bitter, lighter in body, and loses some of the "high notes" in the flavor profile. If you find that you want more flavor from your cold brewed iced tea, increase the amount of loose leaf tea. Cold brew iced tea rarely clouds.
The best part about cold brew? It’s eco-friendly! Since most households in America have a refrigerator plugged in all the time anyway, cold-brewing can be eco-friendly because it slashes energy use by eliminating the water heating process. Follow this step by step guide to make iced tea using the cold brew method. In the video, the cold brew method is the second method featured (around 1:35).
Step One: Measure Your Loose Tea
Start by measuring your loose leaf tea. Generally, you should measure one teaspoon loose leaf tea per cup iced tea. However, fluffier blends such as white teas and Chamomile may require as much as one tablespoon or more, while denser teas such as Gunpowder may require less than one teaspoon. Look at the label on the back of your Arbor Teas bag to find our suggested serving size per 8 oz cup. If you prefer stronger flavor from your cold brewed iced tea, increase the amount of loose leaf tea. Making tea for lots of people? One quart of cold brewed tea generally requires ½ ounce of loose leaf tea.
Place the tea in a do-it-yourself paper filter bag, or directly in an infuser, and then place the paper filter or infuser in your glass or iced tea pitcher. If you’re using a pitcher with a built-in strainer (such as our Cold Brew Iced Tea Maker), or if you plan on straining out your tea leaves, simply place the tea leaves directly in the pitcher. Cold brew iced tea rarely clouds.
Step Two: Fill Your Container
Fill your container with 1 cup (8 oz) room temperature water for each final cup of iced tea desired. Simply pour your room temperature water over the tea-filled TeaBrew Tea Bag, through a tea-filled infuser, or directly over the loose tea. Be sure the tea is covered completely with water.
Step Three: Chill Your Tea
Place your glass or pitcher of water and tea leaves in the refrigerator for 6 to 10 hours (basically overnight), or more. Remove the tea leaves when you’ve reached the desired strength or strain the tea leaves as you serve it.