What You Need to Know About Cold Brew Tea

 

There’s nothing better than a nice hot cup of your favourite tea to warm you up on a frosty winter’s night. However, with summer around the corner, you’ll need a drink to beat the heat instead. Well, what if we told you that you could enjoy your beloved brew all year round? With cold brewing, you can do just that!

 

What is Cold Brew Tea?

Cold brewing is a simple and passive process where tea is steeped in cold water and refrigerated for an extended period. Since this practice uses time, rather than temperature to slowly brew the tea leaves, a higher volume of tea is usually needed to release the desired flavour. Both tea bags and loose leaf tea can be used when cold brewing. However, using loose leaf tea will give you a better level of infusion and flavour profile for your tea. You can find out more about the benefits of using loose leaf tea in our blog: The Great Debate.

 

Where did Cold Brew Tea originate?

Cold Brew Tea is a practice that derives from Japan. It is believed by the Japanese, that employing brewing methods that use hot water will scorch the tea, creating a bitter taste and destroying its natural benefits. Using cold water when brewing tea preserves a higher quantity of the antioxidants, flavonoids and other naturally occurring benefits within the tea leaves that are steeped into your brew.

 

What are the health benefits of Cold Brewing tea?

Cold brewing is the best way to extract both the maximum health benefits and flavours from a tea. If you’re trying to reduce your caffeine intake, then this is definitely the method for you. Tea that has been cold brewed contains much less caffeine than hot tea. This process also helps to maintain higher amounts of Vitamin C, which is said to help boost your immune system, Vitamin D which is good for strengthening your bones, and Vitamin B Complex which may help increase your metabolism. A study published in July 2015 in the Journal of Food Science and Technology found that cold brewed black, green and oolong teas had more Polyphenols than teas that were brewed using hot water.   

 

Why is Cold brew Tea so popular?

One of the main reasons why cold brewing tea has become so popular is for the flavour. The tannins contained in tea that make it bitter, aren’t steeped out of it when using cold water. Whereas, if you hot brew the tea for too long, it will taste bitter. As a result of cold brewing, a sweet and smooth tasting tea is produced. This is also the best brewing option if you are trying to avoid sugar and calories since you will not have to add any sweeteners. Another reason for its popularity, is how cost-effective it is to make cold brew tea. You can make your own brews from the comfort of home with your favourite teas. It’s also easy to make batches of varying sizes, whether it be a small one for just you, or a larger one if you’re having some friends over. Additionally, the leaves that you use for your batches can be steeped multiple times, meaning you’re getting your money’s worth!

 

Or if you’re looking for a quicker alternative that doesn’t require the prep, why not try our range of Cold Brew Ice Teas? These ready-made teas mean you’re just a pour away from being able to enjoy a refreshing brew! Our terrific teas are natural, low calorie, and briming with flavour. If you want to make things a bit more interesting, check out our Pinterest recipe pin for how to make the perfect Mojito using our Herbal Passion Ice Tea.