How to make ice and cold green tea - Ocha & Co.

How to make ice green tea 

Somewhere in the world summer is approaching whether you are living in Japan with its sweltering summer heat and 100% humidity or being burnt alive in an Australian furnace. A refreshing cold-brewed, iced green tea is most probably the drink that you need to be thinking of making. Just follow the instructions in the illustration above to do it. Be bold!  Don't be afraid of experimenting with a few different types of teas.

What type of tea should I use?

 

The sweeter elements of the tea are retained with this method so green teas with a higher level of sweetness such as those found in the shade-grown green teas such as Kabusecha are ideal. If you want a real shot of ice-cold flavor Gyokuro or Shincha are also excellent choices.  

 

How to make iced green tea with a hot brew 

If you are in a hurry this is the  simplest and quickest way to make iced green tea. Just make a pot of green tea in the usual way with hot water and loose leaf. Then just pour the freshly brewed tea over some ice cubes in a glass or cup.

TIP: Brew a little longer or add extra leaf to make the tea stronger than usual. When the ice melts it will dilute the tea making it weaker.

What type of tea should I use?

 

Any tea is fine with this method. You can also make an iced drink with a second brew from the tea leaves left in the pot.

 

 How to Make Cold Brew Green Tea

 

You can prepare cold brew green tea from many different kinds of Japanese tea. Just for a change why not follow the brewing instructions in the diagram above and add cold water to Sencha, Fukamushi, Hojicha or Kukicha to experience a different aroma and taste profile?

Why does cold brew green tea taste sweeter and less bitter?

The solubility of the different compounds in the tea is the reason for this.  The elements responsible for the sweetness; namely, the Amino Acids are more soluble in cold water whilst  the extremely bitter antioxidant Catechins and Caffeine are less so. That is also the reason why using really hot water straight from a kettle results in a really bitter cup of tea. 

What green tea are most suited for cold brew?

Fukamushi Sencha which is deep-steamed is most probably the best tea to use  as the leaf structure has already been broken down and requires only a really short steep time to make an excellent brew.

 

What Ocha & Co. tea do recommend?

We have an organic Mizudashi (水出し), "cold brewing” in English, green tea that has been especially blended for brewing with cold water.  It contains a mixture of organic Asamushi and Fukamushi Sencha along with some added organic Matcha.