Green Tea, lightly fermented oolong Tea, white tea such as Bai Hao Yin Zhen and Bai Mudan are all suitable for cold brewing. Teas with a lower degree of fermentation have a better taste when cold-brewed, the lighter the fermentation and the fresher the tea, the better. For cold brewing, it is best to use new tea to achieve a fragrant and mellow flavor.
The more highly fermented teas like Black Tea, Tie Guan Yin, and Pu'er are not suitable for cold brewing as they result in a bitter and aroma-less infusion. Different teas require different steeping times; for instance, oolong and high mountain teas are best steeped for 6 hours, while some green teas can release their flavors in just 4 hours.
What is Cold Brewing?
Cold brewing refers to the method of steeping tea in cold water over an extended period.
In a low-temperature environment, substances that bring about bitterness, such as alkaloids and polyphenols, are extracted in smaller quantities; the extraction of tea polysaccharides is more stable, thus providing a more comfortable sweetness.
The Principle of Cold Brewing
1. Cold-brewed tea initially dissolves the amino acids that impart a sweet taste, so you will mostly taste the natural sweetness of the tea.
2. Due to the low temperature, very little Caffeine is extracted, resulting in minimal bitterness and a minimal impact on the digestive system.
3. Cold brewing also extracts volatile fats, which contribute to the fresh fragrance that you will experience when drinking the tea.
Teas with higher polarity are more suitable for cold brewing, and green tea and white tea are particularly well-suited for this method.
Warm Reminder
For health and hygiene reasons, do not drink cold-brewed tea that has been steeped for more than 24 hours, as bacteria may grow or the tea may spoil, affecting your health.
After making cold-brewed tea, try to drink it within a short time frame. If you cannot finish it, store it in the refrigerator but do not keep it longer than 24 hours.
Those with a constitution prone to coldness should avoid drinking iced beverages and can instead try brewing tea with room temperature water.