Cold Brew Herbal Tea Recipe
What is Cold Brew Tea?
Cold brew tea is a type of tea that is brewed without heat. Instead of heating the tea leaves in hot water, cold brew tea is made by steeping the leaves in room temperature or cold water for an extended period of time.
This method of brewing produces a tea that is refreshing and flavorful, without the bitterness of hot-brewed teas. Cold brew tea has become popular in recent years due to its convenience and the smoothness of the tea.
To make a cold brew tea, all you need is tea leaves, cold or room temperature water, and a container for the leaves to steep in. Cold brew tea can be made with any type of tea, including green, black, oolong, and white. Less commonly, cold brew tea can also be made with herbs for a caffeine reduced or caffeine free infusion.
When making cold brew tea, the ratio of tea leaves to water is important. Generally, you should use one teaspoon of tea leaves for every cup of water. The amount of time the tea needs to steep depends on the type of tea you’re using, but the general rule of thumb is to steep the tea for at least eight hours. If you’re in a hurry, you could try increasing the ratio of herbs to water and reducing the steeping time, but you’re likely to miss out on some of the more delicate and nuanced flavors that make cold brew tea so delicious.
Once your tea has been steeped for the desired amount of time, it’s ready to drink. But wait – don’t compost your used tea leaves just yet! Depending on the type of tea leaves used, you can often reuse them by steeping them again as a hot tea to extract even more benefits.
If you haven’t tried cold brew tea yet, give it a try this summer – you’ll be sure to enjoy the smooth, refreshing flavors.
How To Make Herbal Cold Brew Tea
You’ll need:
Loose leaf herbal tea of your choice
A large pitcher or container
Filtered water
A strainer
Instructions:
Measure out one teaspoon of loose leaf herbal tea per cup of tea you’d like to make. Place the tea leaves in the pitcher or container.
Fill the pitcher or container with filtered water and stir the tea leaves to ensure they’re all fully submerged.
Cover the container and let the tea steep for 8-12 hours, depending on the type of tea you’re using.
Once the tea has steeped for the desired amount of time, strain the tea leaves from the liquid and discard, or save them to use again for making a hot tea infusion. You can read about how to do it here.
Pour the cold brew herbal tea into cups over ice and enjoy!
You can also store the tea in the refrigerator for up to five days. Give it a try and see how you like it!
Common Mistakes When Making Cold Brew Tea And How To Fix Them
Brewing the perfect cup of tea is an art form, and it can be tricky to master. There are a few common mistakes that people make when making cold brew tea, and it’s important to know how to avoid them in order to get the most out of your tea.
Hot Water For Making Cold Brew
One of the most common mistakes when making cold brew tea is using water that is too hot. Contrary to when making hot tea, cold brew tea works best when you brew it with cold or room temperature water and do not use any heated water at all. If the water is too hot, it can cause the tea to become bitter and over-extracted, and delicate flavors will be lost.
Cold Brew Infusion Time
Another mistake to avoid is over-steeping or under-steeping the tea. Cold brew tea can be steeped for several hours or as long as overnight, and it does take some trial and error to find what works best for your individual taste. If your tea isn’t strong enough, you can easily add your tea leaves back in to continue infusing for more time. If the tea is steeped for too long though, it can become overly astringent and bitter.
Funky Flavors In Cold Brew
Occasionally, cold brew tea can develop funky flavors best described as having a ‘moldy basement’ taste. If this happens with your cold brew, it unfortunately means that you either steeped it for too long, or your brew that was previously fresh has expired. If this happens to you, your brew has passed its prime, and we suggest throwing it away and starting again.
Amount Of Tea For Cold Brew
Finally, it’s important to use the correct quantity of tea leaves. Too much tea can make your cup of tea overly astringent and bitter, while too little tea can make it weak and flavorless. For most teas, it’s best to use one teaspoon of tea leaves per cup of water.
By avoiding these common mistakes when making cold brew tea, you can be sure that you’re getting the most out of your tea. With a little practice, you’ll be able to brew the perfect cup of tea.
Best Caffeine Free Cold Brew Herbs
Now that you know how to make cold brew herbal tea, it's time to explore some flavor ideas. While almost any black, green, oolong or white tea will be delicious in a cold brew infusion, it can be difficult to know which herbs to add. If you want cold brew with reduced or no caffeine in it, it can be even harder to know which herbs and combinations will taste good.
For a classic cup of herbal tea, try chamomile, rose hips, peppermint, or hibiscus. For something more exotic, try adding in a few pieces of dried fruit, such as apples, pears, or pineapple. If you're feeling adventurous, try blending different herbs together to create unique flavor combinations.
If you're looking to switch up your cold brew tea routine, try adding in a few of your favorite spices. For a spicier cup, adding a dash of ginger or a stick of cinnamon to your infusion can kick things up a notch. If you're looking for a bright and citrusy tea, a slice of fresh lemon or orange will work well. For a hint of sweetness, try adding a spoonful of honey or a splash of agave nectar once your infusion is complete.
No matter what flavors you choose, you're sure to be delighted by the delicious results. Not only are herbal cold brew teas a great caffeine-free option, but they also offer a unique and flavorful way to enjoy all the health benefits of herbal tea.