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Iced Tea

Fixes for Your Top 3 Iced Tea Problems

June 28, 2017

This Summer, let iced tea be your solution to your warm weather qualms! Hot day? Drink iced tea! Thirsty by the pool? Drink iced tea! Need a mixer for a cocktail? Go for iced tea! Make sure iced tea is always a solution and never a problem by following this guide to fixing your top three iced tea issues!

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1. You Don’t Know How to Make Iced Tea

Making iced tea should be the least of your worries! One of the best things about iced tea is that there are multiple brewing techniques you can use to make great iced tea. The easiest, most “no-duh!” way is by making yourself a cup of tea, chilling it in the refrigerator for a few minutes, and serving over ice. For a larger batch of iced tea, however, we recommend following our brewing guide. This guide will instruct you on quick brews and how to (super easily!!!) make amazing cold brew iced tea. Whatever method you choose, you’ll find that brewing iced tea is simple and easy!

2. Your Iced Tea is Cloudy

Cloudy iced tea is more of an aesthetic issue. Nobody wants to put their fresh-brew iced tea in a pitcher only to have it look as murky as ocean water! There are five main reasons your iced tea might be cloudy: your glassware could be dirty, the tea could have gone from the hot brewing phase to the iced phase too quickly, the tea that was brewed as iced tea is tea that is historically only enjoyed hot, there’s something wrong with the water chemistry, and, finally, the tea was left in the fridge too long. The best way to avoid cloudy tea is by following our brewing guide, using clean dishes, and making sure your water is clean and of high quality.

3. Your Iced Tea Tastes “Off”

Just like cloudy tea, a funky tasting tea could have something to do with glassware, water, or brewing methods. If your tea is tasting overly astringent, try adjusting the amount of tea you’re adding or the length of time you’re brewing. If your tea has any odd tastes that should not be present, try changing your water source. Certain water types, like soft water, don’t work well with teas. Others, like water that has not been purified, could bring flavors of their own. Finally, check that your dishes have been properly cleaned and are free from dirt, residue, or soap. 

Make sure your Summer is full of delicious, worry-free iced teas! For a fail-proof iced tea that everybody will love, try one of our award-winning iced teas: Classic Black, Summer Peach, Green Pomegranate, Meyer Lemon, 9:00 PM, or Passionfruit Jasmine.

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Tagged: Iced Tea

3 Summer Iced Tea Essentials

May 24, 2017

In our opinion, Memorial Day weekend is the unofficial start of Summer. (Or, as we like to call it: Iced Tea Season.) Sure, the calendar might say that Summer doesn’t start until next month, but Summer festivities and activities start now. Whatever plans you may have this summer, make sure you have these three Summer Iced Tea Essentials. 

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Iced Tea

Well, isn’t this one obvious. If you want iced tea, you need to have iced tea! There are a few avenues to explore when brewing an iced tea. You can keep things classic with Classic Black, you can try our award-winning Green Pomegranate, or you can enjoy the quintessential Summer iced tea, Summer Peach. With iced teas, you can expect bold, fruity, and floral flavors. Temperature also plays a role in iced tea flavors. Because iced tea is (of course!) cold, you can expect naturally sweeter flavors, too. 

Don’t be afraid to break the iced tea mold, either. Some of our teas are surprisingly delicious iced. White Coconut Creme’s sweet, tropical flavors are amazing over ice. Even Fukamushi sencha can be a treat when prepared as a cold brew. 

Brewing Supplies

Brewing iced tea doesn’t need to be complicated. In fact, the simplest way to make iced tea is to make regular tea, let it cool off, and serve it over ice. However, you can make consistent, delicious iced tea even more easily with the proper supplies. We suggest using a Takeya Iced Tea Maker. That way, you can make enough iced to for your entire family and you can store leftovers in the fridge. (That is, if you have any leftovers!) Another way to make things easier? Try using our pre-packed 2QT iced tea pouches. They’re the perfect size for a pitcher of iced tea and they’ll take the guesswork out of your brewing process!

Recipes

Like we said, making iced tea can be as simple as chilling and icing regular tea. But there are other methods to making delicious iced tea drinks, too. For example, you can make bold, flavorful iced tea through cold-brewing. You can then use your iced tea to make a classic Arnold Palmer. Iced Tea can be an amazing mixer for cocktails. Matcha can make for a refreshing cup of iced tea, too. Or, get even more creative and use iced tea to make sangria! 

There are lots of options for awesome iced teas this summer, but no matter what, you’ll need great iced tea leaves, the right supplies, and recipes. So, cool off, relax, and have an amazing Iced Tea season!

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Tagged: Iced Tea

Teas That Are Even Better Iced

March 20, 2017

As we brave through the last weeks of cold weather and prepare for Spring, we can all start thinking about which delicious iced teas we’ll be enjoying this Spring and Summer. Of course, you can always shop Art of Tea’s Iced Tea section to find tried and true iced teas, but we also encourage you to get creative. Some of our teas are usually served hot but are even better cold. 

Imagine eating a slice of pizza that’s just come out of the oven. Now imagine eating another slice of pizza, but this time, one that’s been sitting in the fridge. Hot and cold pizza taste wildly different, right? That’s because heat plays a role in the way things taste. Similarly, teas taste different iced or hot. Many teas adopt a sweeter taste when served over ice, much like how pizza tastes slightly sweeter when it’s served cold. 

mint leaf

Oolong Rose

If you didn’t think an oolong would taste light and refreshing ice, then you’re mistaken. When you think about it, darker oolongs are very close to becoming black tea, a tea that’s the base of many iced teas. And lighter oolongs have light, often floral or sweet flavors. Take, for example, Alishan Oolong that has sweet notes reminiscent of nectar. Like Alisan, Oolong Rose is lightly oxidized, giving it a greener hue. When served as an iced tea, this tea is crisp and delicate, with subtly sweet floral notes. It’s not the tea you’d drink with a meal on a patio, but we highly recommend sipping on iced Oolong Rose while laying out in a park or relaxing on a porch. 

Fukamushi

With grassy and crisp flavors, Fukamushi is one of our favorite green teas for Spring. It’s easy to assume most nicer Japanese green teas are served hot. After all, you usually see iced matcha or iced senchas. Don’t skip out on icing this amazing tea, though! Fukamushi is actually great when cold brewed. Just like a hot cup of Fukamushi, it doesn’t take much time or effort to cold brew. While we suggest cold brewing your leaves for 10-22 hours, you can toss Fukamushi leaves in a bottle of cold water, agitate the leaves, and sip on-the-go. 

White Coconut Creme

It’s one of our best selling teas, and we’re not surprised. With sweet coconut shreds and hints of smooth French vanilla, White Coconut Creme is a decadent treat served hot. Like many teas, the sweetness of White Coconut Creme is only enhanced when iced. We think iced White Coconut Creme tastes like a tropical drink mixed with a tasty creamsicle. In fact, you can even turn iced White Coconut Creme into an actual creamsicle. Perfect for poolside chilling or packing in a thermos for the beach, iced White Coconut Creme could be the best beverage you have all Spring and Summer. 

When looking for teas to try iced, look for fruity, floral, grassy, or sweet teas. Tea type isn’t as important, but tasting notes are. A tea like Blueberry Pomegranate might lend itself better to iced tea than an earthy tea like Pu’erh. And, of course, you can never go wrong with a simple iced Matcha for a refreshing drink on a sunny day. 

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Tagged: Iced Tea

The Best Teas To Make For Your BBQ

July 15, 2016

Is there anything better about the summer months than a great barbecue? We don’t think so! As the weather heats up, so does your grill. And friends start coming together to catch up, laugh, and have some outdoor fun.

Tea Drinks for BBQ

And what would make your BBQ better? Adding some refreshing drinks that are both tasty and healthy!

Serve your friends heat-busting drinks that are bursting with flavor and loaded with delicious fruits and herbs. Here are some of the best teas to pick the next time you fire up the grill. (And feel free to create your own blend from the tips you learn.) Your guests will be happy you did.

Raspberry Fizz Tea

The Raspberry Fizz Tea is a light, refreshing pink fizzy drink that is full of flavor and antioxidants. Bonus: It’s also calorie friendly!  

Ingredients:
  • 3 teaspoons of organic Dragonwell Green Tea or Jasmine Ancient Beauty Oolong Tea
  • 4 cups of room temperature spring or purified water
  • 1 quart size canning jar with lid
  • 2 cups chilled organic cranberry and raspberry juice sweetened with fruit.
  • 3 cups chilled no-sugar, raspberry-flavored sparkling water
  • Pitcher
  • Fresh raspberries
  • Fresh lime, sliced
  • Fresh mint

This tea needs to be cold brewed. Take 3 teaspoons of your tea and add to a quart jar. Add in 4 cups of room temperature water to the jar. Stir well. Add the lid and give it a shake. Place the jar in the refrigerator for at least 6 hours. Once the tea is brewed, strain out the tea leaves and discard.

In a glass pitcher, add 4 cups of tea, 2 cups of the juice and flavored sparkling water. Stir and add the raspberries, lime slices, and mint leaves.

Serve in glasses with ice, a couple of raspberries and mint leaves.

Green Watermelon Ice Tea

This is a beautiful, invigorating tea that is sure to impress at your next BBQ. It’s also one of the most hydrating teas, which is perfect for really hot summer days.

Ingredients:
  • 6 cups of chilled blended watermelon
  • 3 cups of spring or purified water
  • 4 teaspoons Matcha Green Tea
  • Small whisk
  • 1 lime sliced
  • Mint leaves
  • Agave or Raw honey as sweetener

Whisk the matcha green tea and water together. Add a touch of sweetener if desired and whisk again. Fill short glasses with ice and pour about 1” of blended watermelon into each glass first.

Carefully pour the matcha on top of the blended watermelon in the glass. You don’t want them to mix. Top off with a small amount more of carefully poured blended watermelon. Add a few mint leaves on top and garnish the glass with lime slices.

Tips, Tricks, And Substitutions

Make sure that carbonated water or other fizzy options are chilled. Cold temperatures will help your drinks stay bubbly the longest.

When using watermelon, buy seedless or de-seed before blending. You can also substitute agave syrup with raw honey or even Grade B maple syrup.

These teas will help everyone stay hydrated and happy. You probably didn’t think you could add so much flavor to your BBQ, but with these drinks, this season’s party will be your absolute best! Enjoy!

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Tagged: Iced Tea

How To Make A Healthier Sweet Tea

July 6, 2016

Sweet tea is as famous in the South as “southern hospitality.” When you think of this drink, you can’t help but conjure images of lazy summer afternoons on a local patio. But it’s not just a great drink! In fact, sweet tea also has some really amazing health benefits.

The best southern sweet tea is made from black tea leaves. Black, green, and oolong teas are actually all from the Camellia Sinensis plant — black tea, however, is made with different amounts of fermentation than green or oolong tea. The quintessential dark tea is fully fermented before drying, which results in the deeper color and flavor that sweet tea is known for.

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Health Benefits of Sweet Tea

Like a daily multivitamin, sweet tea contains important minerals such as calcium, magnesium, potassium, iron, and zinc. While sweet tea won’t replace nutritional supplements, getting nutrition from whole food sources like tea is important for a well-rounded diet.

Feeling low on energy? Black tea offers a gentle infusion of energy without the jitteriness that might come from coffee. Also, in various studies, caffeine has been associated with higher metabolism, increased fat oxidation, and better endurance during exercise.

The flavonoids found in black tea have been associated with benefits to your cardiovascular health. German researchers suggested that it could reduce or prevent clogged arteries while providing anti-oxidative, anti-inflammatory, and lipid-lowering properties.

The longer fermentation time of black tea also results in two powerful compounds — theaflavins and thearubigins — which may have additional associated benefits. More research is needed, but it’s very cool to learn what exists so far!

For the best refreshing, brisk, and yummy Sweet Tea, try our Classic Black Tea. Winner of “Best Black Iced Tea” at the World Tea Expo, we carefully hand-blended bright Nilgiri tea with smooth, rich Yunnan golden buds to create a supremely classic infusion for the perfect beverage.

How to Brew The Perfect Sweet Tea

There is a fine art to brewing the perfect sweet tea. The key is steep time and it’s the most guarded secret south of the Mason Dixon Line. Here’s your guide to making a really great and authentic sweet tea:

Ingredients:
  • 1 ounce organic Classic Black tea
  • 1 1/8 cup organic unbleached cane sugar
  • 12 cups purified or Spring water
  • Ice
  • 1 gallon glass pitcher
  • Strainer
Directions:

Bring water to a boil in a pot. Once the water is boiling, add your Classic Black Tea and remove the pot from heat. Stir the water with a non-metal spoon for 30 seconds.

Steep the leaves in the hot water for exactly 4 minutes and 30 seconds. The tea will take on a bitter taste if steeped for longer.

Add ice and sugar to the pitcher. After the brewing time is up, pour the tea through the strainer and into the pitcher. Stir until all the sugar is dissolved. Refrigerate until cold.

Grab a glass, fill it with ice, and pour in the chilled sweet tea. Don’t forget to garnish with a lemon wedge.

Tips, Tricks, And Substitutions

Avoid having sugar at the bottom of your pitcher by making a simple syrup while the tea is steeping. In a glass, mix the granulated cane sugar with 2 cups of hot water. Mix until the sugar is completely dissolved. Add this over the ice in the pitcher before adding the hot tea. (The person that gets the last glass of tea will be thankful for this trick!)

For an even healthier sweet tea, substitute the organic cane sugar with ¾ cup agave or raw honey. Or try one of our naturally flavored iced teas like our Summer Peach Iced Tea, which includes sweet, sun-ripened peaches to bring out a fruity and crisp flavor without needing sugar or other addons.

Want to spice up your sweet tea? Add a slice of orange and a cinnamon stick while the tea is cooling in the refrigerator. Discard the orange and cinnamon once the tea is cool.

Next time your friends are over you can serve them a glass of this southern sweet tea and get a ton of compliments. You can also feel free to experiment with healthier sugars and even toss in some mint leaves to make sweet tea with an unexpected twist.

You don’t have to be Southern to love sweet tea, but you do have to love a great, anytime drink that’s easy to make and hard not to love!

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Tagged: Iced Tea

Beat the Heat and Rehydrate with Iced Tea (BONUS: How to make your own!)

June 22, 2016

What’s better than kicking back under the hot summer sun and enjoying life? Adding a tall glass of America’s favorite iced tea! But the iconic warm-weather drink of choice is so much more than your average beverage; aside from the countless health benefits that drinking tea provides, enjoying iced tea this summer is extra nice because it hydrates your body and mind. Research also suggests that it might even promote weight loss and help you fight aging.

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Benefits of Drinking Ice Tea

Hydration.  Many people struggle to drink their daily recommended amount of water. (In fact, according to the CDC, over 40% of Americans don’t drink enough!) We get that. But you know what can help solve that problem? Drinking iced tea!

Iced tea consumption counts towards your water intake so you can enjoy every tasty sip guilt-free knowing you’re fueling your body. This is especially helpful when you’re sitting outside getting a tan, which subsequently dehydrates your body and could cause damage to your skin. Proper hydration helps your skin glow and softens facial wrinkles.

Weight management.  If you’re careful about how you sweeten it, tea can be the best calorie-free drink you’ll ever indulge in. Research from the University of Washington even suggested that beverages containing caffeine and catechins (like in a yummy green tea) can help curb cravings!

Want more reasons? A study in the International Journal of Obesity found that drinking a very cold beverage increased resting energy expenditure for over 40 minutes after consumption. This means you could be burning calories long after your last sip!

Quick Tips to Choose a Healthy Iced Tea

The key to choosing the perfect iced tea is to find the ones that naturally match your tastes.

For example, if you want to indulge in fruity and sweet flavors — without having to add sugar to make it artificially sweet — try our Summer Peach Iced Tea, which won the award for “Best Flavored Black Iced Tea” at the 2013 World Tea Expo. Delight in the fusion of sweet, sun-ripened peaches delicately grounded by the crisp, bright after-notes of our organic Classic Black tea.

For something tangier and more tart, sip on our Green Pomegranate Iced Tea, which won the award for “Best Flavored Iced Tea!” We hand-toss select organic green tea leaves in a large wok, dry them to perfection, and then carefully blend them with organic raspberries and an essence of pomegranate.

Oh, and if you’re looking for a decaf way to enjoy iced tea, indulge in our Brûlée Mint for a naturally sweet treat with hints of mint and a creamy burnt caramel finish reminiscent of crème brûlée.

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How To Make Healthy Iced Tea

Making a great iced tea has never been easier! Just follow the instructions on our tea and enjoy!

But if you’re not quite sure how to get started, feel free to follow this guide and make it the night before you plan to partake in its tasty goodness.

What You Need:

  • 3 Tablespoons of the tea of your choice
  • ½ gallon Mason jar
  • Warmed spring or Purified water

Add 3 tablespoons of your tea to the jar.  Fill your mason jar with warm water (not boiling). Stir. Close the lid tightly and place this jar in your refrigerator.

When you are ready to drink, add ice to a glass and simply pour the tea over a strainer and into your glass. Now you have a delicious, healthy, and refreshing iced tea!

Want to try it with a twist? Slice oranges, berries, or any fruit and layer the fruit with your ice in a glass and pour tea into your flavor-infused cup. You could also opt to add fresh mint, ginger, cardamom, and cinnamon sticks for other flavor bursts. (Or try any of our natural, flavor-infused iced teas listed above!)

Iced tea is the preferred healthy summer drink of choice. It hydrates your body and is full of antioxidants and other properties that can provide countless health boosts. Find your summertime favorite and enjoy!

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Tagged: Iced Tea

National Lemonade Day

August 20, 2015

National Lemonade Day

Happy National Iced Tea day! Here at Art of Tea HQ, we mixed lemonade with four different teas, each with their own unique flavor. Enjoy!
National Iced Tea Day
Ingredients:
• Classic Black Iced Tea
• Water
• Lemonade
• Lemon (for garnish)

Directions:
1. Make a tea concentrate by brewing the tea in boiling hot water for 3 minutes in a tea pot or mug*
2. Remove tea bag or strain tea
3. Pour tea over ice until glass is 3/4 full
4. Add 1/4 lemonade (or to taste)
5. Garnish with a lemon

*You can also cold brew your iced tea over night. Check out this post for other brewing methods.

National Lemonade Day
Ingredients:
• Green Pomegranate Iced Tea
• Water
• Lemonade
• Mint (for garnish)

Method:
1. Cold brew your tea overnight if possible. Check out this post for a cold brew guide
2. Mix in 3/4 tea with 1/4 lemonade (play with the ratio if you want more or less lemonade flavor)
3. Add ice and garnish with mint

National Iced Tea Day

 

Ingredients:
• Hibiscus Cooler Iced Tea
• Water
• Lemonade
• Lime (for garnish)

Method:
1. Cold brew your tea overnight if possible. Check out this post for a cold brew guide
2. Mix in 3/4 tea with 1/4 lemonade
3. Add ice and garnish with lime

AOT_MatchaLemonade

Ingredients:
• Matcha Grade A
• Water
• Lemonade
• Strawberries (for garnish)

Method:
1. Mix 1/4 tsp of Matcha with 6 oz of hot water. Whisk the Matcha well with a bamboo whisk to break up any small lumps.
2. Combine 1/4 tea with 3/4 lemonade
3. Add ice and garnish with strawberries
AOT_LemonadeDay-2

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Tagged: black tea, green teas, Iced Tea, matcha, tea recipes

Iced Tea Brewing Guide

July 23, 2015

Art of Tea Iced Tea Brewing Guide
Depending on your preference, and the amount of time you have to steep your tea, we have highlighted two different ways you can prepare and brew your iced tea. Take your pick, and enjoy this perfect summer beverage!
Art of Tea Iced Tea Brewing Guide

  1. To start, determine the amount of tea you want to brew and the container you will brew in. We recommend our 2 QT Takeya iced tea maker. For 2 quarts of iced tea, use one of our 2 quart iced tea bags (or 2 ounces of your favorite Art of Tea blend)* and place in your container.
  2. Add in 2 quarts/half gallon of cold water to your container. We recommend cold, filtered water for best taste.
  3. Place in your fridge and allow the tea to steep overnight, or for 8-10 hours, depending on personal preference and how strong you want the tea. The longer you leave the tea bags in, the stronger the tea gets. (You can also vary the strength of your tea by adding more or less tea. The more tea you add, the stronger your brew will be.)
  4. Remove from the fridge and take out the tea bags.
  5. Enjoy over ice, and if needed, sweeten to taste.
    *For more or less iced tea, adjust the ratios of water to tea accordingly 

    Pros of overnight cold brew: Yields a smoother, fuller flavor with less tannins.

Art of Tea Iced Tea Brewing Guide

  1. To start, determine the amount of tea you want to brew and the container you will brew ing. We recommend our 2 QT Takeya iced tea maker, which is great for both cold brew and hot brew. For 2 quarts of iced tea, use one of our 2 quart iced tea bags (or 2 ounces of your favorite Art of Tea blend)* and place in your container.
  2. Add in 1/2 quart of hot water to your container.
  3. Allow tea to brew for its suggested time (3-5 minutes).
  4. Fill the remaining 1.5 quarts of your container with room temperature water. Using water that is too cold may cause the tea to become cloudy.
  5. Add ice to your serving cups, pour your tea over and serve.
    *For more or less iced tea, adjust the ratios of water to tea accordingly

Pros of quick hot brew: Allows for quick and easy brewing with instant results.

Art of Tea Iced Tea Brewing

  • To keep your tea from becoming diluted, create iced tea cubes. Not only will your drink stay cool, it will also retain the flavor. Check out our easy recipe here.
  • For a fun twist on iced tea, check out some of our recipes (Art of Palmer, Jasmine Mojito, Tuscan Sunrise)  for some fun cocktails and mocktails
  • To add beauty to your iced tea, try adding blooming tea or flowers into your ice cubes for a elegant twist on your ice cubes.

 

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Tagged: Afternoon Tea, Iced Tea, Recipe, summer

Road Trip Essentials Guide

June 16, 2014

Road Trip Essentials

Planning on going on a road trip this summer? We’ve gathered some road trip necessities before you head out on your adventure. Don’t forget to pack lots of food and your Art of Tea Iced Tea!

 

1. Art of Tea Iced Tea
2. Art of Tea 2 Qt. Iced Tea Maker
3. Jawbone Jambox
4. TOMS sunglasses
5. Herschel backpack
6. First Aid kit
7. Instant Polaroid Camera
8. An LL Bean blanket

[Map slider image via]

 

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Tagged: #tea, Afternoon Tea, Iced Tea, Travel

Hostess Gift Guide

May 19, 2014

With summer right around the corner, your social calendar will be filling up with picnics and BBQs. Don’t want to show up empty handed to the gathering? Check out our gift guide below, with options for any hostess.
AOT_HostessGiftGuide
1. Summer Peach Iced Tea (Art of Tea)
2. Assorted Tea Gift Box (Art of Tea)
3. Iced Tea Pitcher (Art of Tea)
4. Lemon Lime & Cherry Kitchen Towels (World Market)
5. Outdoor Tray (West Elm)
6. Gold Glasses (Crate & Barrel)
7. Napkins (Anthropologie)

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Tagged: #tea, Iced Tea, Tea Party

Cucumber Mint Guayusa

May 12, 2014

Cucumber Mint Guayusa
With summer just around the corner, and the weather getting warmer, time to pull out those pitchers, gather some friends, and enjoy the sunshine with some Cucumber Mint Guayusa iced tea. This easy to brew recipe is the perfect addition to any outdoor social or BBQ. All you need is the iced tea packet, and some sliced lemon, lime and cucumber. Combine with ice and water and enjoy with some tasty pastries and good friends.

Cucumber Mint Guayusa
Cucumber Mint Guayusa
Cucumber Mint Guayusa

Leave a Comment / Filed In: Brewing Tea, Cocktails, Mocktails & More, Tea Profiles
Tagged: Afternoon Tea, Guayusa, Iced Tea, tea recipes

Tea of the Month: Mango Tulsi

March 31, 2014

Tea of the Month Click here to learn more about Mango Tulsi. Iced tea available here.

Leave a Comment / Filed In: Cocktails, Mocktails & More, Tea Profiles
Tagged: Afternoon Tea, Iced Tea, tea of the month

Caffeine Free Iced Tea Overview

July 15, 2013

If your passion for iced teas goes much beyond merely sipping on a cold glass of gold-colored liquid then you need to experience the tastiest range of iced teas only from the Art of Tea. This Los-Angeles based specialty tea store also manages an impressive online store that offers lip-smacking herbal iced tea and provides all the benefits without sacrificing on great taste.

Art of Tea offers a wide range of mouthwatering iced teas in loose leaf form as well as in teabags that are presented under their 2QT Collection. These tempting teas are packed in biodegradable pouches that take care of your taste buds as well as the environment. Whether you love coconut iced tea, pomegranate iced tea, passion fruit iced tea, or other flavors, Art of Tea has just the right tea for you.

You can check out exciting iced teas such as Hibiscus Cooler, Green Pomegranate, Passionfruit Jasmine, Tropical Mate, and others in their 2QT teabag range as well as White Coconut Crème, Silver Needle Chrysanthemum, White Guava Ginger, and many others in their loose leaf range.

You can also choose from a wide range of caffeine free iced teas at this exhaustive online store that offers over 200 varieties of teas under one virtual roof. You should browse through the Caffeine Free Blends section to feast your eyes on teas such as Banana Dulce, Blueberry Cheesecake, Apricot Escape, Ginger Ginseng, Lemon Meringue, Vanilla Berry Truffle, and other unusual-and-delectable iced teas. These teas can also be enjoyed in hot form.

You can surely have fun trying out one caffeine free spice tea blend after the other without battling through peak traffic while bringing the tea with you on the go. .

When you want to experience the tastiest range of herbal iced teas including caffeine free iced teas, you only need to take the help of your trusted mouse and visit www.artoftea.com. A few clicks and you will end up with a chilled glass of your favorite iced tea in your hand while being surrounded by other happy tea lovers sipping on teas from this iconic online specialty tea store.

Leave a Comment / Filed In: Tea Profiles
Tagged: #tea, 2QT, caffeine free blends, Food DIY, hand crafted, Iced Tea, white tea

Iced Tea Highlight: Hibiscus Cooler

June 28, 2012

We recently launched some amazing iced tea blends including a tropical, caffeinated tisane called Hibiscus Cooler. Similar to Art of Tea’s caffeine free favorite, Kauai Cocktail, this fruity blend marries sweet and tart flavors with a pinch of citrus from the organic lemongrass, while providing a caffeine lift. Hibiscus Cooler does not contain any tea leaves from the Camellia Sinensis plant but contains caffeine from the organic guayusa. Cousin to Yerba Mate, guayusa is a caffeinated evergreen holly from the Amazon rainforest. Natives believed the plant invigorated the body with energy and renewed focus. Hibiscus Cooler is naturally sweetened with organic stevia leaves, which nicely compliments the tartness of the organic hibiscus.

Hibiscus Cooler

Here are some fun and easy Hibiscus Cooler recipes to spice up your Independence Day celebrations and upcoming summer soirees. Our new 2 quart iced tea pouches (also available in other iced tea blends) will be used in all the recipes below. These are ideal for smaller batch brewing or 64 oz. serving size.

Cold Brewed Hibiscus Cooler

Recipe yields about 8 servings

Hibiscus Cooler cold brew

You Will Need:

–Takeya’s 66 oz. Iced Tea Pitcher or any 64 oz. pitcher

-One 2 qt. pouch Hibiscus Cooler

-Freshly drawn water

-Sliced fruit of your choice (I used strawberries and blueberries)

Instructions:

Using the cold brew method to make iced tea, toss your 2 qt. pre-measured teabag into your pitcher. Fill the pitcher three quarters of the way to the top. Heighten the flavors by adding strawberries and blueberries in your Takeya infuser. Twist the infuser back onto the cap. If you don’t have an infuser, add the fruit directly into the pitcher. Cover the pitcher and store in the refrigerator for 8 to 10 hours. Remove the teabag and enjoy!

Hibiscus Cape Cod

A traditional Cape Cod is made of vodka and cranberry juice, but this new creation replaces the tart, berry juice with our Hibiscus Cooler.

You Will Need:

-2 oz. Vodka

-4 oz. Hibiscus Cooler

-Lime wedge (optional)

-Shaker

-Ice cubes

-8 oz. Glass

Instructions:

First, prepare your Hibiscus Cooler iced tea using the directions below. Then, measure about 4 ounces of the iced Hibiscus Cooler. Add the vodka, Hibiscus Cooler and ice cubes into a shaker. Rapidly shake for a few seconds and pour into your glass. Garnish the glass rim with a lime wedge. Cheers!

Malibu Hibiscus Bay Breeze

A classic Malibu Bay Breeze infuses rum, cranberry juice and pineapple juice, but this libation substitutes cranberry juice with our Hibiscus Cooler.

Cape Cod

You Will Need:

-1 ½ oz. Malibu Rum or any coconut rum

-2 oz. Hibiscus Cooler

-2 oz. Pineapple juice

-Shaker

-Ice cubes

-Martini glass

Instructions:

First, make your Hibiscus Cooler iced tea using the directions below. Once your Hibiscus Cooler is chilled to your heart’s content, measure out 2 ounces. Add the pineapple juice, iced tea and rum into a shaker with ice. Shake well and pour into your favorite martini glass.

How to Make Hibiscus Cooler Iced Tea

You Will Need:

-Takeya’s 66 oz. Iced Tea Pitcher or any 64 oz. pitcher

-One 2 qt. pouch Hibiscus Cooler

-Boiling water

-Freshly drawn water

-Ice cubes

Instructions:

First, remove the infuser from the Takeya pitcher. Toss a 2 qt. Hibiscus Cooler teabag into the pitcher. Pour one third of the way of boiling water into the pitcher. Then, pour two thirds of the way of freshly drawn water into the pitcher. Steep for 4 minutes. Finally, remove the teabag and add ice.

-MELISSA CHUA

Leave a Comment / Filed In: Brewing Tea, Cocktails, Mocktails & More, Tea Profiles
Tagged: cold brew, Guayusa, hibiscus cooler, hibiscus tea, Iced Tea, stevia

Enjoy White Acai Iced in the Spring!

May 13, 2012

After the spring showers pass, the days welcome sunshine and higher temperatures. Iced tea is the perfect solution to cool down and quench your thirst on a sunny, beach-worthy day. As you may know, tea is the second most widely consumed beverage after water. This is largely true because people love iced tea.

Have you tried Art of Tea’s new spring blend, White Acai? Well, if you like it hot, you’ll definitely love it iced! White Acai became an instant tea favorite of mine from the moment of my first sip. This organic white tea is delicate and naturally sweetened. Acai berries from the Amazon rainforests are grounded into a fine powder and nicely complimented with organic pineapple bits, rosehips, hibiscus, apple bits and black currants. This fruity libation is delightfully refreshing. Follow these simple directions for an amazing iced tea. Recipe yields five 8 oz. servings.

White Acai on Ice

White Acai Iced

You Will Need:

-5 tbsp of Art of Tea’s White Acai

–Hot/Iced Tea Maker 40 oz.

-Pot of boiled water

-Fresh, filtered room temperature water

-Lemon slices

-Blueberries

-Ice cubes

Instructions:

Using the one to two water ratio, pour one part or one third of boiled water into the Hot/Iced Tea Maker. Then, add two parts or two thirds of the way of room temperature water. Fill your brewing basket with 5 tablespoons of White Acai. Twist on the brewing basket to the pitcher’s cover and twist cover onto the container. After 3 minutes of steeping, remove the brewing basket. Add ice cubes halfway to the top of your 8 oz. glass. Add blueberries and other berries if you like. As a final touch, add a thinly sliced lemon on the rim of the glass. Make sure to remove the seeds. Lastly, fill your glass with the newly brewed tea. Enjoy a refreshing White Acai iced tea. Cheers!

-MELISSA CHUA

Leave a Comment / Filed In: Brewing Tea, Cocktails, Mocktails & More, Tea Profiles
Tagged: Brewing Iced Tea, Iced Tea, Spring Iced Tea, White Acai

Iced Teas for Hot Weather

July 8, 2010

The Art of Tea team and I recently wrapped up from a weekend at The World Tea Expo in Las Vegas. Steve taught a three-hour class on tea blending and two of his blends (Passionfruit Jasmine black tea and Petal Pedal rooibos) won awards in the North American Iced Tea Championship. Perhaps it was the combination of desert heat, a weekend brimming with tea, and one of the world’s best wine scenes, but something inspired me to share a few summery, pairing-friendly iced tea recipes with you here on the Art of Tea blog. Brew these iced teas at home or at your tea business… or convince your favorite restaurant to serve them with the pairing suggestions below.
Petal Pedal on Ice
Petal Pedal is an award-winning, caffeine-free rooibos blend. When iced, it has a perfectly balanced, naturally sweet flavor profile that appeals to everyone from tea connoisseurs to kids. Brew iced Petal Pedal with these easy instructions:
1 cup (250 mL) filtered or spring water
2 Tbsp. Petal Pedal
1 cup ice cubes
Bring the water to a boil.
Brew Petal Pedal for five minutes.
Remove the leaves and pour the brew over ice.
Serve immediately.
Makes approximately two servings (1.5 cups/350 mL).
For an added treat, pair Petal Pedal on Ice with lamb tagine, dark chocolate French macaroons or lavender-sea salt caramels.
(Almost) Classic Iced Tea
Art of Tea’s award-winning Classic Black makes a fantastic iced tea. Its Nilgiri base produces a fragrant, crisp, clear brew, while its Yunnan golden buds add an alluring, chocolaty depth that’s rare in iced teas. Blended with sugar and lemon, it takes Southern sweet tea to a new level. Brewed with vanilla sugar and orange, it becomes a sophisticated, satiating iced tea unlike any you’ve ever tasted. Here’s how to make our (Almost) Classic Iced Tea:
1 cup (250 mL) filtered or spring water
1 heaping Tbsp. Classic Black
1 Tbsp. freshly squeezed orange juice
1 Tsp. Madagascar vanilla sugar (or coconut palm sugar with a few drops of pure vanilla extract)
1.5 cups ice cubes
1 wedge orange
Bring the water to a boil.
Brew Classic Black for four minutes.
Remove the tealeaves.
Stir in the vanilla sugar and orange juice.
Pour the mixture over ice.
Add the orange wedge and serve immediately.
Makes approximately two servings (2 cups/475 mL).
For an added treat, pair this modified classic with Kansas City-style barbecue, fresh peaches or cardamom-vanilla pudding.

The Art of Tea team and I recently wrapped up from a weekend at The World Tea Expo in Las Vegas. Steve taught a three-hour class on tea blending and two of his blends (Passionfruit Jasmine black tea and Brûlée Mint rooibos) won awards in the North American Iced Tea Championship. Perhaps it was the combination of desert heat, a weekend brimming with tea, and one of the world’s best wine scenes, but something inspired me to share a few summery, pairing-friendly iced tea recipes with you here on the Art of Tea blog. Brew these iced teas at home or at your tea business… or convince your favorite restaurant to serve them with the pairing suggestions below.

Brûlée Mint on Ice

petal_pedal

Brûlée Mint is an award-winning, caffeine-free rooibos blend. When iced, it has a perfectly balanced, naturally sweet flavor profile that appeals to everyone from tea connoisseurs to kids. Brew iced Brûlée Mint with these easy instructions:

1 cup (250 mL) filtered or spring water

2 Tbsp. Brûlée Mint

1 cup ice cubes

Instructions:

1) Bring the water to a boil.

2) Brew Brûlée Mint for five minutes.

3) Remove the leaves and pour the brew over ice.

4) Serve immediately.

Makes approximately two servings (1.5 cups/350 mL).

For an added treat, pair Brûlée Mint on Ice with lamb tagine, dark chocolate French macaroons or lavender-sea salt caramels.

(Almost) Classic Iced Tea

classic_black_iced_tea

Art of Tea’s award-winning Classic Black makes a fantastic iced tea. Its Nilgiri base produces a fragrant, crisp, clear brew, while its Yunnan golden buds add an alluring, chocolaty depth that’s rare in iced teas. Blended with sugar and lemon, it takes Southern sweet tea to a new level. Brewed with vanilla sugar and orange, it becomes a sophisticated, satiating iced tea unlike any you’ve ever tasted. Here’s how to make our (Almost) Classic Iced Tea:

1 cup (250 mL) filtered or spring water

1 heaping Tbsp. Classic Black

1 Tbsp. freshly squeezed orange juice

1 Tsp. Madagascar vanilla sugar (or coconut palm sugar with a few drops of pure vanilla extract)

1.5 cups ice cubes

1 wedge orange

Instructions:

1) Bring the water to a boil.

2) Brew Classic Black for four minutes.

3) Remove the tealeaves.

4) Stir in the vanilla sugar and orange juice.

5) Pour the mixture over ice.

6) Add the orange wedge and serve immediately.

Makes approximately two servings (2 cups/475 mL).

For an added treat, pair this modified classic with Kansas City-style barbecue, fresh peaches or cardamom-vanilla pudding.

Leave a Comment / Filed In: Brewing Tea, Cocktails, Mocktails & More
Tagged: award-winning blends, black tea, chilled tea, food pairings, how to make iced tea, Iced Tea, iced tea recipe, iced tea recipes, rooibos, tea recipes

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