Tea lovers, don't listen to the haters who say that iced tea is just a fancy word for flavored water. We know that iced tea is not only a refreshing summer staple, but it's also a mood enhancer, a party pleaser, and a soul soother. And the best way to ensure that your iced tea has a smooth and flavorful taste? Brew it with cold water! In this blog post, we'll give you all the reasons you should start brewing your iced tea with cold water.
First, using cold water to brew your tea results in fewer tannins, which leads to a smoother flavor. Tannins are naturally occurring compounds in tea that give it a slightly bitter taste. When hot water is used for brewing, these tannins are extracted at a higher rate, resulting in a more concentrated, stronger tea flavor. However, when you use cold water to brew your tea, fewer tannins are released, making for a smoother and sweeter flavor profile. Who knew that sweetening your iced tea could be this effortless and healthy?
Second, fewer tannins in your iced tea mean you won't experience any uncomfortable puckering sensation or dryness in your mouth from overly concentrated tea. Tannins are also responsible for causing dryness in your mouth, leading to a puckering sensation. Cold brew tea is a great way to avoid this sensation and still enjoy a refreshing cup of iced tea.
Third, with cold brew tea, you won't need to worry about diluting your perfectly made iced tea. Cold brew tea sits in the fridge overnight, and by morning, you'll end up with an already-cooled pitcher. That means you won't need to add too many ice cubes to chill it further, so you can avoid diluting your perfectly made iced tea. And as we all know, nothing ruins iced tea like too many ice cubes.
Fourth, cold-brew tea is incredibly easy to make. Begin by filling a glass jar with cold water and tea. The ratio is 1 tea bag or 1 ½ teaspoons of loose tea for every cup of water (6 to 8 ounces). Cover the jar and place it in the refrigerator overnight. The exact number of hours required to steep depends on the kind of tea used. White or green tea takes 6 to 8 hours, while oolong or black tea needs a good 8 to 12 hours. After steeping, remove the tea bags or sachets from the water or sieve out the loose tea leaves, and that's it! Serve and enjoy your delicious, smooth cold brew of iced tea.
Cold brew tea is a great way to ensure the smoothest, sweetest, most irresistible iced tea that won't end up bitter. With fewer tannins, you won't need to worry about the uncomfortable puckering sensation from overly concentrated tea, and you won't end up diluting your perfectly made iced tea. And did we mention how easy it is to make? So, try brewing your iced tea with cold water, and we promise you won't regret it. Cheers to a refreshing summer drink that is cool - literally!