Can You Brew Tea in Cold Water?

As a tea lover, you may wonder if you can brew tea in cold water. Though it appears unusual, the answer is yes; it’s indeed possible. Cold brewing tea is not only possible but also offers a unique and delightful taste experience. 

Can You Brew Tea in Cold Water?

Yes, you can brew tea in cold water. Cold steeping, also known as cold brewing, uses cold water to draw out the taste and nutrients of the tea leaves. Cold steeping differs from making iced tea; it doesn’t involve ice and creates a lighter, less astringent, and less bitter tea. 

Nearly all tea varieties can be cold steeped, but steeping time differs for each tea.

Why Should You Cold Brew Tea?

Cold brewing tea offers several benefits compared to traditional methods. Here are a few:

1. Reduced bitterness and astringency: Cold brewing extracts flavors more slowly, resulting in a smoother, less bitter, and less astringent taste. This benefit is most notable for teas that turn overly bitter in hot water, like green teas.
2. Enhanced flavor profile: Cold brewing can bring out different flavors in the tea that may not be as noticeable with hot brewing. This allows for a more complex, distinct taste, letting you discover new dimensions of beloved teas.
3. Less caffeine: Cold brewing extracts less caffeine than traditional brewing, which is ideal for caffeine-sensitive people or those desiring less caffeine. Nonetheless, caffeine content differs depending on the type of tea and steeping time.
4. Easier and more forgiving process: Cold brewing tea is a simple method that requires minimal effort and equipment. It’s more forgiving in terms of steeping time and tea quantity, making it ideal for those new to tea brewing or looking for a low-maintenance approach.

How to Make Tea With Cold Water

To make cold steeped tea, follow this step-by-step process:

1. Choose a pitcher or jar that is large enough to accommodate the tea leaves and cold water.
2. Add 2 teaspoons of loose-leaf tea to the pitcher or jar. Loose-leaf tea is better for obtaining the best flavor, but tea bags will also work.
3. Pour 2 cups of room temperature or cold water into the pitcher. If you’d like to make more cold steeped tea, double the amount of tea leaves and water.
4. Optionally, add herbs, fruits, spices, or sweeteners for better flavor. Cold steeped tea is naturally sweeter, so you may not need additional sweeteners.
5. Cover the pitcher and place it in the refrigerator. Refer to the information below for recommended steep times:
   • Black tea: 8-12 hours
   • Green tea: 6-10 hours
   • White tea: 6-10 hours
   • Oolong tea: 8-12 hours
   • Puerh tea: 8-12 hours
   • Herbal tea: 6-10 hours
6. After the appropriate steeping time, taste your cold steeped tea. If it’s too strong, dilute it using extra water.
7. To remove the loose leaf tea, pour the tea through a fine mesh strainer. If you used a tea infuser or tea bags, simply remove and discard them.
8. Pour the cold steeped tea into glasses and enjoy!

Can You Put Tea Bags in Cold Water?

Yes, you can put tea bags in cold water to cold steep your tea. The process is the same as with loose-leaf tea. Put a tea bag in a cup or pitcher, add cold water, and refrigerate to steep for the recommended time. The flavor may be weaker than when using loose-leaf tea, but it will still be enjoyable and refreshing.

Final Thoughts

Cold steeping tea offers a unique and refreshing way to enjoy your favorite teas. It is a simple method that requires minimal effort and results in a light, less astringent, and less bitter beverage than traditional hot brewed tea. Plus, it allows you to explore new flavor profiles for various tea types.

Remember that you can use both loose-leaf tea and tea bags for cold steeping. Still, loose leaf tea is generally recommended for optimal flavor. Be patient and allow the tea to steep in the refrigerator for the recommended time. Feel free to tweak the steeping time according to your taste.