Cold brew tea
In recent years, cold brew tea has gradually become a popular tea-drinking method among young people. Unlike hot brewing, cold brew uses a low temperature and long steeping time to make the tea soup taste more refreshing, less astringent, and easier to carry and store. Whether you want to cool off in the summer or have a smoother everyday tea, cold brew is an excellent choice.
This article will introduce:
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Which types of tea are best suited for cold brew tea (which teas taste the best)?
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The principle of cold extraction
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Standard method for making cold brew tea at home
I. What is cold brew tea?
Cold brew tea is made by placing tea leaves in cold or ice water and slowly extracting them at a low temperature for several hours.
Compared to traditional hot brewing, cold brew tea has the following characteristics:
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A sweeter and milder taste : Low temperature reduces the release of bitter substances in tea leaves.
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The aroma is delicate and long-lasting : the extracted aroma is mostly cool and fresh.
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Easier to store : Can be kept in the refrigerator for 24–48 hours.
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No special skills required : No need to worry about over-soaking and making it bitter.
II. Which teas are suitable for cold brewing?
Almost all teas can be cold-brewed, but the following categories offer the best flavor:
1. Green tea (most common)
Cold brew green tea is very popular; it's refreshing, not bitter, and has a slightly sweet taste.
Suitable varieties: Longjing, Biluochun, Zhuyeqing, Maojian, Japanese Sencha, Gyokuro, etc.
2. Oolong tea
The cold-brewed oolong has a very prominent aroma, with floral and fruity notes.
Suitable varieties: Tieguanyin, Dongding Oolong, Jin Xuan, Alpine Oolong, and Sijichun.
3. White tea
It has a smooth and sweet taste, making it perfect for cold drinks.
Suitable varieties: White Peony, Shoumei, Gongmei, Silver Needle.
4. Black tea
Cold brewing imparts a natural sweet aroma and leaves a smooth, non-astringent texture.
Suitable varieties: Jin Jun Mei, Dian Hong, Lapsang Souchong, Assam, Ceylon tea.
5. Flower tea and fruit tea
Jasmine tea, lemon slices, rose tea, etc., can all be made into flavorful cold brew drinks.
III. How to make cold brew tea? (Standard home recipe)
Cold brew tea is very easy to make, requiring only three steps:
Prepare materials
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5–8 grams of tea leaves (depending on the type of tea)
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500–600 ml of cold water or mineral water
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Glass pitcher / Cold water pitcher / Travel mug
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refrigerator
Step 1: Add tea leaves
Most teas can be prepared with 5-8g of tea to 500ml of water .
If you prefer a stronger flavor, you can increase the amount of tea.
Recommended amount of tea:
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Green tea: 5g
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Oolong: 6–8g
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Black tea: 6–7g
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White tea: 5–6g
Step 2: Pour in cold water or mineral water
Cold extraction requires high water quality; therefore, the following is recommended:
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Mineral water/filtered water tastes best.
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Try to avoid hard water, as it will affect the aroma of the tea.
Step 3: Cold Extraction
Place the teapot in the refrigerator to chill:
| Tea | Cold brewing time |
|---|---|
| green tea | 4–6 hours |
| Oolong tea | 6–8 hours |
| White tea | 6–10 hours |
| black tea | 6–8 hours |
| scented tea | 4–6 hours |
The longer the extraction time, the stronger the tea flavor, but the bitterness will still not be too obvious.
IV. Tips for Cold Brew Tea
1. Cold brew is more resistant to multiple infusions.
The same batch of tea leaves can be cold-brewed a second time, then water can be added and the tea can be steeped in the refrigerator for another 4–6 hours.
2. Adding ice makes it even more refreshing.
After brewing, you can add ice cubes, lemon slices, and mint leaves for a richer flavor.
3. Adding hot water is not recommended.
Hot water can activate bitter substances and ruin the smooth taste of cold brew.
4. Best time to drink
Cold brew tea has the best flavor within 24-48 hours and is not recommended to be kept for more than two days.
V. Why does cold brew tea taste so good? (Simple explanation)
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Low temperatures inhibit catechin release → reduce bitterness
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Slow extraction of theanine brings a naturally sweet taste
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The aroma dissipates slowly, resulting in a more delicate and complex fragrance.
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Low caffeine release → Less likely to cause palpitations, can be consumed in small amounts before bed
Therefore, cold brew tea is especially popular among people who dislike bitter tea, have sensitive stomachs, or are not used to drinking hot tea in the summer.
If you need, I can also help you write:
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Product descriptions used in the store (such as cold brew teapots, cold brew tea bags)
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Illustrated Cold Brew Instructions
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Xiaohongshu copywriting/short video scripts
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Below is a formal, well-structured, and ready-to-publish blog post version. The language is more sophisticated and the logic clearer, making it suitable for brand websites, tea culture columns, content marketing, and more.
Introduction to Cold Brew Tea: Suitable Tea Types and Standard Preparation Methods
In recent years, cold brew tea has gradually become a new choice for tea lovers. Compared with traditional hot brewing, cold brew tea extracts the aroma of tea at low temperatures and slowly, making the tea soup taste smoother and sweeter with almost no bitterness, making it very suitable as an everyday beverage or a refreshing summer drink.
This article will introduce cold brew tea from three aspects:
(1) What is cold brew tea? (2) Which teas are best suited for cold brewing? (3) How to make cold brew tea at home?
I. What is cold brew tea?
Cold brew tea is a tea-making method that involves placing tea leaves in cold or ice water and then refrigerating them for several hours to steep at a low temperature.
Unlike hot water brewing, cold brewing is done at a lower temperature, so fewer polyphenols and caffeine are released from the tea leaves to produce bitterness, while theanine and fresh aroma are preserved during the slow extraction process.
The advantages of cold brew tea include:
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A sweeter and smoother taste: Cold water inhibits the dissolution of bitter components.
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The aroma is delicate and the aftertaste is long-lasting, which better brings out the cool fragrance and sweetness of the tea.
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It is not easy to over-soak: there is no need to master the precise water temperature and time.
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Good shelf life : Can be stored in the refrigerator for 24–48 hours.
For those who dislike bitterness and prefer a refreshing taste, cold brew tea is an ideal choice.
II. Which teas are suitable for cold brewing?
While most teas can be cold-brewed, the following types are most recommended in terms of taste and aroma.
1. Green tea (most common, most refreshing)
Cold brew green tea has a light, sweet, and clean taste, and is one of the most popular types of cold brew tea.
Suitable green teas include:
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Longjing
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Biluochun
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Maojian
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Japanese Sencha
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Jade Dew
Cold-brewed green tea does not have the astringency that occurs when hot-brewed, making it more suitable for tea lovers who dislike bitterness.
2. Oolong tea (with a prominent aroma)
The floral and fruity aromas of oolong tea are very pronounced during cold brewing, resulting in a refreshing and non-greasy tea soup.
Oolong teas suitable for cold brew:
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High Mountain Oolong
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Jin Xuan
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Four Seasons Spring
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Tieguanyin
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Dongding Oolong
Oolong cold brew often has a light milky aroma and a mountain flavor, making it very popular.
3. White tea (mellow and sweet)
The natural sweetness of white tea is further enhanced during low-temperature extraction.
White tea is suitable for cold brew:
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White Peony
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Shoumei
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silver needles
With a delicate and gentle taste, it is the "mild" type of cold brew tea.
4. Black tea (smooth with a sweet aroma)
Cold brewing of black tea reduces bitterness, increases sweetness, and makes the tea liquor exceptionally clear.
Suitable black teas for cold brew:
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Jin Jun Mei
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Lapsang Souchong black tea
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Yunnan black tea
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Assam
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Ceylon black tea
The hot and cold versions offer distinctly different flavors, making them perfect for tea lovers who want to try something new.
5. Flower tea and fruit tea
Cold-brewed flower tea has a mild and non-irritating aroma, making it especially suitable for summer consumption.
Common cold brew fruit and herbal teas:
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Jasmine tea
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Lemon slices
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Rose tea
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Roselle
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Fruit Dried Tea
Adding ice makes it even more refreshing and delicious.
III. Cold Brew Tea Preparation Method (Standard Home Version)
Cold brew tea is easy to make; all you need are tea leaves, water, a pitcher, and a refrigerator.
(1) Prepare materials
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5–8 grams of tea leaves
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500–600 ml of cold water or mineral water
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Glass pitcher / Cold brew pitcher / Travel bottle
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Refrigerator compartment
(2) Add tea leaves
The approximate amount of tea used is:
| Tea | Tea quantity (500ml water) |
|---|---|
| green tea | 5g |
| Oolong tea | 6–8g |
| White tea | 5–6g |
| black tea | 6–7g |
| scented tea | 4–6g |
The amount can be increased or decreased according to personal taste.
(3) Pour in cold water or mineral water
Recommended use:
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Mineral water or filtered water (cold brewing is more sensitive to water quality).
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Try to avoid hard water, as it can affect the aroma and taste.
(4) Refrigerate.
The optimal cold brewing times for different types of tea are as follows:
| Tea | Optimal cold brewing time |
|---|---|
| green tea | 4–6 hours |
| Oolong tea | 6–8 hours |
| White tea | 6–10 hours |
| black tea | 6–8 hours |
| Fruit and flower tea | 4–6 hours |
The fact that it doesn't easily become bitter even after prolonged steeping is one of the biggest advantages of cold brew tea.
IV. Tips for Cold Brew Tea
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The same tea leaves can be cold-brewed twice, then water can be added, and the tea can be steeped for another 4–6 hours.
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Adding ice, lemon, or mint can enhance the flavor.
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Try not to add hot water, as it will ruin the sweet taste of cold brew.
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Cold brew tea is best consumed within 48 hours for its cleanest flavor and most stable aroma.
V. Why is cold-brewed tea sweeter? (Extraction principle)
During the cold extraction process:
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**Theanine (sweetness)** dissolves slowly
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**Catechins (astringency) decrease due to low temperatures.**
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Less caffeine released, milder taste
Therefore, cold brew tea has a naturally sweet taste, is not irritating, and is suitable for people with sensitive stomachs.
Conclusion
Cold brew tea, with its refreshing and mellow taste and simple preparation method, is becoming one of the most relaxing ways to enjoy tea in modern life. By choosing suitable tea leaves and using high-quality water, you can easily make a pot of clean and sweet cold brew tea at home. Whether it's an everyday beverage, a party drink, or a refreshing summer treat, cold brew tea offers a pure and comforting tea experience.
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