Whether brewed hot or cold, the benefits of tea have many switching over to this healthier beverage every year, but cold brew tea offers even more benefits. If you haven’t tried cold brew tea, beyond iced tea, the tea masters at Art of Tea recommend trying the cold brew steeping method to enjoy its benefits.
It’s Easy
It doesn’t get much easier than dropping loose leaf tea or tea pouches into a pitcher or jar of cold water and letting it steep in the refrigerator. It’s really that simple. The only thing you need to know is how long to let the tea steep. Here is a guide that provides suggested times for cold brewing based on the type of tea you want to cold brew:
- Black tea – 8 to 12 hours
- Green and White tea – 6 to 8 hours
- Oolong tea – 8 to 10 hours
- Pu-erh tea – 10 to 12 hours
- Herbal tea – 12 to 14 hours
Learn how to cold brew tea!
Taste
When you brew iced tea using the traditional hot-to-cold method, the heat changes the chemical structure of the leaves allowing tannins to infuse the tea, which can result in a bitter or astringent taste.
Cold brew tea is a lot smoother because the flavor is slowly extracted over several hours. People that try cold brew tea say that it brings out flavors that they had never tasted before when they brewed it with hot water. In addition to a smoother flavor, fewer tannins may also help you absorb more iron from food.
Reduced Caffeine
If you are trying to reduce your caffeine intake, the cold brew method is for you! Cold brew tea contains much less caffeine than hot tea while maintaining higher amounts of vitamin C.
Sugar-free
If you are trying to avoid sugar and calories, cold brew tea is a better option. The cold brew method produces a sweeter flavor, so it doesn’t require the addition of sweeteners.
Keeps You Hydrated
Cold brew tea is a great way to keep hydrated, especially on hot summer days. You can actually drink it as a replacement for cold water without having to worry about negative effects.
Health Benefits
There have been many reports on the health benefits of tea, and cold brew tea is no exception. While we can’t make any claims, the data shows that Vitamin C is more active in cold brew tea and may help boost your immune system. It also contains Vitamin D which is good for strengthening bones, and vitamin B complex may help increase your metabolism. And, its antioxidants help protect you from the damage of pollution.
Some of the most significant findings on the health benefits of tea are its effect on heart disease and stroke. The New York Times reported on a study published in the European Journal of Epidemiology that stated that those who drink at least three cups of tea a day have a 21% lower risk of stroke than those who only consumed one cup of tea per day. And a more recent study conducted by the same group found that drinking an additional three cups of tea per day was associated with reducing coronary heart disease by 27%.
Herbal tea such as chamomile has been said to help sooth the digestive system for those with irritable bowel syndrome, while green tea may reduce the risk of some cancers. Drinking organic tea removes the potentially harmful effects of chemical fertilizers and pesticides.
Explore the Benefits of Tea
The Art of Tea has many different teas so that you can enjoy their many benefits. We even have a Wellness Collection with teas for soothing, sleeping and cleansing.
