Cool off with an iced oolong tea fix! Enjoy the delightfully smooth, slightly roasted flavor and freshly brewed aroma—it’s sure to quench any summertime thirst for tea drinkers. Go ahead and beat the heat with a glass of chilled oolong tea!
Ahhh, nothing like an ice-cold glass of iced tea on a scorching summer’s day to bring your senses back to life! When it starts heating up outside, make the switch from your usual black and green teas and give oolong a try! Sure to cool you down and help you beat the heat.
Brewing iced oolong tea is a breeze—just make a cup of hot tea and pour it over some ice! You can mix in some cold water to create a perfectly balanced flavor, or you can steep your leaves overnight for an extra-strong cold brew blend. And don’t worry—unlike green teas, the taste of oolong gets better with time. For optimal flavor, just add two to three teaspoons of loose tea leaves to one liter of cold water and let it infuse while you sleep. The perfect beverage awaits!
Choosing the Best Oolong for Making Iced Tea
Shopping for an iced oolong tea can be tricky; with so much variety, it’s hard to know which one is perfect for you. Most oolongs have a fruity flavor, while some are more nutty. But don’t worry! No matter what you choose, your chilled beverage will surely have an awesome taste. Just take a few moments to explore all of your yummy options, and you’re sure to find the perfect fit!
Si Ji Chun and Shui Xian oolongs are definitely the way to go if you’re looking to make a naturally sweet oolong tea.
Wen Shan Bao Zhong from Taiwan is another great choice for iced oolong tea. It hails from Wenshan in the mountain area, and its popularity is well deserved! After all, its unmatched natural flavors make it a joy to sip—what a treat!
The delectable notes of this cultivar and its low oxidation level make it all the more enjoyable to drink. Tea connoisseurs say that a sip of THIS oolong tea leaves you with an exquisite, creamy aftertaste! Truly a delightful treat!
Brewing Up Iced Oolong Tea
Brewing the perfect cup of iced oolong tea is no easy feat; there are so many debates about what temperature produces the finest results. For some kinds of tea, such as oolong, extra care needs to be taken during preparation in order for you to get that cooling finish you crave! Here’s the formula for making it just right:
- Just before adding the hot water, quickly drop in the oolong leaves!
- Then add the hot water
- Let the pot steep for a minimum of four minutes. To bring out all that flavor!
- Now, just let it sit—the wait is worth it.
- Get the tea bags out!
- Stir in the sweet, sticky honey to add some sweetness—just don’t forget to give it a good stir!
Iced Oolong Tea Recipe
If you have ever made a cup of tea, you know that it is a science. Water that is too hot will ruin your tea and make it bitter. Water that is not hot enough will make a weak cup of tea.
The same rules apply to Oolong tea: 195 degrees Fahrenheit is as high as you should go! When it comes to brewing tea for its ideal flavor and effects, this temperature is just right.
If you have years of experience in the tea-making game, you just know what 195 degrees Fahrenheit is by simply looking at it. However, if you are a newbie, perhaps you can make use of a kitchen thermometer.
Oolong calls for a bit more time than green tea to steep properly – around 3 to 4 minutes if you’re looking for something hot. Preferring cold tea? A 90-second infusion should do the trick! Looking for a bolder flavor? Steep it an extra minute or two, and voila! Perfect iced tea.
It’s all about personal preference when it comes to crafting this vibrant and refreshing beverage.
Brew for shorter or longer times, depending on your taste.
How Much Caffeine Is in Oolong Tea?
Oolong tea is naturally packed with caffeine because it’s made from the famously caffeinated Camellia sinensis plant. With partial oxidation of the leaves, one 8-ounce serving of oolong tea boasts a caffeine content of between 50 to 70 mg – which is actually pretty low compared to the 95 milligrams that you’d get from an equivalent cup of coffee.
What Does Iced Oolong Tea Taste Like?
Have you ever wondered, “What does iced oolong tea taste like?” Well, if you haven’t had the delightful pleasure of indulging in it yet – oolong has a unique flavor. It combines the richness of black tea with subtle elements of sweetness from green tea. You could say it’s truly a delightful combo!
Depending on how light or oxidized it is, you can experience fruity hints reminiscent of melon and even a savory, smoky taste like that of roasted wood. Unquestionably, sipping oolong is an unparalleled experience.
Preparation in Advance and Storage
This tea’s flavor will really hit the spot and can even be prepared two days in advance, much like cold brew coffee.
Simply put it away in the fridge, and when it’s time to serve, voilà, you have cold-brewed oolong tea that is ready to drink.
Cold-brewing tea is a breeze! Just let your favorite tea leaves steep in cold water for about 4 hours—easy peasy!
This iced tea can last up to 5 days in the fridge if it’s stored properly and kept sealed tight in an airtight glass jug. Now that’s something worth raising your glass to!
Conclusion
Oolong teas that have been lightly oxidized are great selections for achieving the best results, but you can always experiment with black teas or even deeper oolongs to mix them up.
So if you are a fan of oolong tea and iced tea, you now know you are able to make an amazing batch of iced tea. It is possible to add creamer and sweetener or have it plain! Enjoy!