Hey there, tea lovers! We have come together to discuss how to make one of the best beverages for a hot summer’s day. And if you are a tea lover, this is music to your ears!
Now you are more likely familiar with cold-brewed coffee, as it is more common. However, you would be glad to know that cold brew tea and, in this case, cold brew oolong tea are also things!
Cold-brewed oolong tea is a tasty and delicious beverage with less caffeine. It involves steeping oolong tea leaves in room temperature or cold water for hours to release their flavors and aroma slowly. This method will give a different flavor and aroma when compared to using hot water.
Cold-brewed oolong tea has a straightforward brewing method that adds to its appeal. For one, you don’t have to monitor the tea while brewing, like when you’re steeping with hot water. Just infuse the tea leaves with the water, go about your business, and check back on it hours later. Amazing, right?
This article covers what cold-brewed oolong tea is and how to brew it.
So let’s get started.
Cold Brew Oolong Tea
Drinking hot tea during the summer is counterintuitive; not only will you be sweating buckets, but you’re also likely not going to enjoy it.
Besides, who wouldn’t want to cool off the heat with an iced tea? For one, it’s not going to burn your tongue and will cool off the summer heat.
Cold-brewed oolong tea is not only refreshing, but it is also healthy, and it contains no preservatives. Also, oolong tea comes in many varieties that range from green to black and other lightly oxidized oolong teas, and we can add milk oolong tea to that list.
Due to the nature of oolong and how it is dried and processed, one does not need to add much to it to make it taste good. Oolong has a natural sweetness, and if you use milk oolong tea, it even has a creamy texture, making it all the more healthy!
Additionally, you can brew a large pot of oolong tea without worrying about boiling water and getting the temperature right.
The steps to making cold-brewed oolong tea are simple; simply do the following:
- Grab your container for Brewing
- Measure your tea leaves and add them to the container
- Add Water
- Allow the water and leaves to sit for 3–4 hours or overnight
And Voila! You have got yourself some cold-brewed oolong tea!
It’s as easy as it sounds.
Another advantage of oolong cold brew tea is that the caffeine content is lower. So if you want the tea in cold brew form without the jolt of caffeine, cold brew is the perfect option!
How to Cold Brew Oolong Tea
We briefly talked about how to make cold-brewed oolong tea above. Now let’s get down and dirty with the specifics and details!
- Grab a container, preferably one that seals and can be used to store the cold-brewed oolong tea
- Measure out your tea leaves
The quantity of oolong tea leaves that you add depends on the level of water you intend to turn into tea. For instance, if you have a liter of water, use 6–8 grams of loose leaves, or heap a teaspoon with the leaves and add them to the water.
- Rinse the tea leaves to remove any impurities (preferably with filtered water), then add them to the pitcher or vessel
- Cover your tea leaves with the appropriate amount of water
Use filtered water or spring water to steep your oolong leaf. Distilled or tap water wouldn’t cut it because both have properties that do not blend well with oolong tea. Essentially, distilled or tap water will alter the taste of the tea.
- Allow the tea to sit for 4-5 hours, depending on how strong you want your cold brew to be
- Here is the general rule of thumb: the longer you steep the tea, the stronger the taste
- If the tea is too bitter or strong, feel free to add more plain water to dilute the strong taste
- If, on the other hand, the tea is too weak, allow it to sit overnight or make a mental note to add more tea leaves in the future
Now your tea is ready to serve. The simplest way to serve cold-brewed oolong is to pour it over ice and drink it.
- If you want some extra sweetness, you can use a sweetener like honey or stevia
- You could also add milk or creamer of your choice
It is worth mentioning that oolong has a natural sweetness to it, and if you use milk oolong to make your cold brew, you will get the sweet taste plus a naturally creamy texture without adding anything.
Can You Make Cold Brew Oolong Tea From Hot Tea?
Yes, you can make cold-brewed oolong from hot tea.
Simply brew your hot tea, which typically takes about 10 minutes, then pour it over ice. The only difference is that you have to observe some traditional brewing methods to ensure the tea turns out great. Simply follow the following steps:
- Steep Teas Leaves in hot water for about 45 seconds to 5 minutes, then re-steep, depending on the quality of the Loose Leaf Teas
- Note that it’s not just about the steeping; you have to taste the teas while steeping to know when the taste meets your preference
- After the tea has been brewed to your satisfaction, pour over ice and enjoy
You can also put the freshly brewed hot tea in your refrigerator to drink later.
Conclusion
Cold-brewing oolong tea is an hours-long process, and the outcome is a refreshing and tasteful glass of tea.
Regardless of the preparation method you use to make cold-brewed oolong tea, you should consume it within three days. If you notice the infusion has a sticky texture or looks cloudy, discard it immediately.
