The key to cold brewing is the slow extraction of flavors, over an extended period of time in the refrigerator. This gentle steeping process results in a smoother brew with more flavor dimension, fewer tannins, and less caffeine than a traditional hot brew. For information on how and why cold brewing works, check out our Cold Brew Blog.
Cold Brew Instructions
1. Add the tea leaves & water to a jar or brewing pitcher that can be covered. We like to use Mason jars!
2. Put it into the refrigerator. We suggest letting the tea cold steep in the refrigerator according to the table below. Feel free to experiment with these times to find your perfect cup of iced tea!
3. Strain tea mixture through a cullender or strainer into another jar or pitcher.
4. Once prepared, cold brewed tea will keep for approximately 1 week in the refrigerator.
TEA TYPE | Amount of tea per 6 – 8 oz of water ** | COLD BREW INFUSION TIME (in refrigerator) |
WHITE (Pure & Blended) | 1 – 2 Tablespoons | 6 – 8 hours |
GREEN (Pure & Blended) | 2 teaspoons | 4 - 6 hours |
YELLOW* | Not recommended for cold brewing | |
OOLONG (Pure & Blended) | 1.5 – 2 teaspoons | 8 – 12 hours |
BLACK (Pure & Blended) | 2 teaspoons | 8 - 12 hours |
DARK* | Not recommended for cold brewing | |
ROOIBOS (Pure & Blended) | 1.5 - 2 teaspoons | 8 – 12 hours |
HERBAL/TISANE | 1 – 2 Tablespoons | 8 – 24 hours |
** For best results, use the suggested tea/water ratio for hot brewing recommended on the teas packaging.
* Yellow and Dark teas are not recommended for Cold Brewing. These teas undergo a fermentation step in their processing. When brewing with hot water and residual microorganisms are killed.
Cold Brew Tips
For cold brewing we recommend using the suggested tea leaf/water ratio for whatever tea being prepared.
If you like a stronger Iced Tea you can increase the amount of dry tea leaves or steep longer. If steeping true teas longer, take care not to overstep, as this could draw more tannins and make the tea bitter.
Taste your tea throughout the brewing process. This will help you determine your preferred steep time duration.
We love to do our cold brew steeping overnight. This may not work for you however if preparing a tea needing a shorter steep time.
Just as in hot brewing, some tea leaves can be cold brewed for multiple infusions.
Not all teas are well suited for cold brewing.
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