For many people, Summer means Iced Tea. Common questions from customers include which teas are best for iced tea and how to make a great glass of iced tea. In this post, I will discuss the answers to those questions.
As for which tea is best for iced tea, there is no single answer. Any tea can be made into iced tea. There is no one better than another. Just as with hot tea, it depends on your preferences. Start with a tea you like hot. Then, try it as an iced tea. Think about what flavors you like and pick a tea that matches that.
Classic iced tea is made from black tea. It is what is usually found on café menus or at family cookouts. You will get different flavor profiles, though, depending on which black tea you choose. Those who enjoy a bolder flavor might choose one of our Assams or even a Breakfast tea. If you enjoy a more aromatic tea, you might want to brew our Darjeeling tea.
Many people prefer fruity teas when drinking iced tea. In that case, try our Magic Moon. It is a blend of green and black tea leaves with the tropical taste of papaya. The teas in our special Summer collection are also perfect for an iced preparation.
If a caffeine-free iced drink is your preference, we have plenty to choose from. How about our Pink Lemonade fruit tea or the rooibos-based Peach Apricot? Both make delightful iced teas.
Once you have purchased your tea, you want to brew it to get the most flavor you can. Here's the help you need.
Proper Brewing of Iced Tea
You should start by reviewing the guidelines for brewing great hot tea. Turning that cup of hot tea into a refreshing iced tea is not as simple as pouring it over ice. The ice will dilute the tea, resulting in a weaker flavor. How you decide to brew iced tea depends on how much time you have. There are three basic methods.
Brew hot and then refrigerate
This method requires planning for a few hours in the refrigerator. Brew your tea hot as explained in our brewing guidelines. After brewing, refrigerate until cool. Then, when you pour it over ice, the ice will chill the tea without melting or diluting it.
Brew hot and pour over ice
If you are in a hurry for your iced tea, this method is for you. Brew it hot, but brew it double-strength, which means using twice the recommended amount of tea leaves but brewing it for the normal amount of time. When done brewing, pour over ice; as the ice melts, the dilution will give you a wonderful glass of iced tea.
Cold brew
This is probably the best way to brew iced tea, but it does require some planning. Rather than brewing the tea in hot water, put your tea leaves in a glass or pitcher and pour cold water over them. Allow to brew to the desired strength, strain and enjoy.
Recommendations for the amount of tea to use range from 1 to 4 tablespoons per quart of water. Timing will vary from ½ hour for light teas and up to 24 hours for darker teas. We recommend tasting every half hour until you find your perfect brew.
The reason this is such a great way to brew iced tea is that the tannins, which can make tea bitter, do not come out as much with cold water as they do with hot water. Therefore, you end up with an incredibly smooth and non-bitter iced tea.
Caution when brewing herbal and/or fruit teas
If you are brewing herbal or fruit teas, always use boiling water for a hot brew. If you wish to do a cold brew, rinse your tea with hot water before brewing in the cold water. Herbs/fruits/flowers do not undergo the same high-heat processing as real teas, which kills pathogens. Therefore, to ensure your safety, be sure to either brew or rinse in boiling water.
If you like your iced tea sweetened and use granulated sugar, add it while the tea is still hot to ensure it dissolves. If you are sweetening your tea after it's chilled, you would be better off using a liquid sweetener. There is always honey or agave, although those can add their own flavor to your tea. An alternative is to make a simple syrup by combining equal parts sugar and water in a saucepan, bringing it to a boil, and stirring until the sugar dissolves. Allow it to cool, then add it to your cold tea as desired.
A final idea is to make some iced tea cubes with the same tea as you want to drink and add them instead of regular ice cubes. As the ice melts, it won't dilute your tea – it will enhance it.
You do not need any special equipment to make iced tea. Just use whatever you normally use to brew hot tea, but adjust the amount of tea and brewing time as discussed above.
Whether you're sipping a bold Assam on a hot afternoon or slowly savoring a cold-brewed Magic Moon at sunset, iced tea is one of summer's simplest pleasures — and loose-leaf makes it extraordinary. Browse our Summer Collection to find your perfect warm-weather brew, and don't hesitate to reach out if you'd like a personal recommendation. Here's to a summer full of great tea.