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It may come as no surprise that tea is the most consumed beverage in the world (after water). In fact, on any given day, more than 159 million Americans enjoy a cup or glass of tea (depending on whether it is served hot or cold). Of all the tea-related trends we’ve witnessed over the last few years, there is one, in particular, that is displaying notable staying power: Cold-brew tea. Cold-brew tea is popular for many reasons, including its lower caffeine content, smoother taste, and natural sweetness. In addition to this, cold-brew tea is also easy to brew in large quantities and can be stored for nearly a week; and there are several variants you can freely experiment with.
It can easily be brewed in large batches
If you are looking for a delicious cold beverage that can be prepared in advance in large batches, cold-brew tea should definitely be at the top of your list. The way you prepare your cold brew remains the same, regardless of whether you’re making a single cup or as much as ten gallons at a time. You can make one singular big batch of cold brew before decanting it as needed; or you can brew smaller, individual batches that can be used to prepare deliciously refreshing iced drinks. Although you can brew your tea in jugs or large canisters, you can also invest in a commercial cold brew system that will make it considerably easier to brew large quantities of delicious tea with minimal effort.
Cold-brew tea can be stored for nearly a week
Just like cold-brew coffee, which can last for up to two weeks in the fridge, cold-brew tea can also be stored for a number of days without spoiling. The flavor of cold-brew coffee will begin to deteriorate if it’s left at room temperature for more than a couple of hours, and the same is true of tea – so don’t leave it out for too long before refrigerating. When storing your cold-brew tea, do so with care. Glass bottles or jugs with lids are preferable, as plastic not only tends to stain, but can also impact the flavor of the tea, as it is known to retain odors and tastes. If you consume or use cold-brew tea on a regular basis, it is recommended that you start a new brew approximately two days after the first to ensure that you have a constant flow of fresh brew at your disposal. Remove any fruit pieces and fresh herbs from your brew before refrigeration, as they may trigger fermentation and reduce the shelf-life of the tea.
There are many variants to experiment with
Although there is no rule or recipe book that stipulates exactly what tea should be used to make your cold brew, some variants are definitely better suited than others. Oolong tea is a popular choice among black tea lovers who prefer their cool brews somewhat less fermented. White tea is another popular choice, thanks to its gentle aroma and slightly sweet taste. By far the most popular tea used in cold brews is green tea. Apart from its appealing light green color and sweet, delicate taste, green tea also sports a myriad of health benefits. Apart from experimenting with different types of tea, you can also try adding various fruits and fresh herbs, such as mint and basil, to your brews.
Cold-brew tea has become very popular in recent years. Apart from being delicious, it has also proven to have various benefits that make it worthy of the plentiful accolades it has been receiving.
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One other potential use is to get one last round out of tea you are brewing hot, by putting it in the refrigerator with lukewarm water, for a half a day or longer. Results vary a lot by tea type; it’s better for some and not so suitable for others. White tea works well that way, or oolong or mild black teas, and shu pu’er works especially well. Sheng pu’er and wuyi yancha aren’t especially well suited for it, and for green tea it might depend on the type and preference. Dan Cong cold brews well but for above average quality versions it’s still really better to just see the hot brewing process through.
wow! love your article on cold brew teas. I did not know cold teas can be kept for one week in the fridge. well worth the read just for that information. Thank you and keep on writing.