Iced Tea Brewing Info
What’s the difference in taste and health benefits between cold brew and flash chill iced tea?
Traditional cold brew iced tea, made via cold immersion brewing, uses cold water over an extended period of time. This method extracts fewer tannins, resulting in less bitterness, and draws out less caffeine because hot water is needed to fully release caffeine from the tea leaf. The result is a smooth, mellow, and naturally sweet iced tea with lower caffeine and preserved antioxidants.
Flash chill brews tea hot to quickly extract flavor and caffeine, then chills it immediately by pouring over ice. This creates a stronger, bolder iced tea in minutes, though the quick temperature change can cause black teas to appear cloudy. Flash chilling also enhances and draws out flavors in flavored teas like berry, fruit, and citrus. However, it can become bitter if brewed too long, so always follow the hot steeping instructions on your tea package for best results.
Both iced tea methods are refreshing. It just depends if you want your iced tea fast and bold or slow brewed and smooth.
Cold Brew Iced Tea
Cold brew uses cold water and a long steep time to make iced tea that is never bitter.
Directions: Steep 1-2 teaspoons of loose tea for every 8 oz cold water for 6-10 hours in the refrigerator. For fluffy or heavy teas (white teas, herbal teas, rooibos, fruit tisanes), use 2-4 teaspoons per 8 oz water. After steeping, strain and remove the tea leaves.
Flash Chill Iced Tea
Flash chill makes quick iced tea by brewing tea hot at double strength, then pouring it over ice.
Directions: Steep 2-3 teaspoons of tea per 8 oz hot water. For fluffy or heavy teas, use 4-5 teaspoons per 8 oz hot water. Steep for the suggested time and temperature on your tea package. After steeping, strain out the leaves and immediately pour the hot tea over an equal amount of ice. Top up with extra ice and stir.
Traditional Hot Brewed Iced Tea
This classic method involves brewing a large pot of tea hot on the stovetop, letting it cool to room temperature, and then chilling it in the refrigerator to serve over ice.
Directions: Brew your tea hot at regular or double strength, depending on your taste preference and how much ice you plan to add later. Steep the tea for the recommended time and temperature on your tea package. Often with this method, people steep their tea for 10 minutes or longer before adding sugar and lemon, but note that steeping for too long will make the tea bitter. For best results, steep black or green tea for only 3-5 minutes before removing the tea leaves or tea bags, and steep herbal teas for about 6 minutes. Let the tea cool to room temperature before refrigerating.
Note: While this method is easy and familiar, it can result in a more bitter or astringent iced tea because hot water extracts more tannins. For a smoother, naturally sweet iced tea, consider using the cold brew method or the faster flash chill method instead.
Sun Tea
We don’t recommend brewing iced tea via this method. Sun tea can encourage bacteria growth because the tea sits at around 130°F, which is warm enough to breed bacteria but not hot enough (above 195°F) to kill it.