How to Cold Brew Loose Leaf Tea

Cold brewed iced tea is easy to make, and unlike brewing iced tea with boiling water, produces some amazing green iced tea.

Equipment for Cold Brewed Iced Tea 

  • Two 48 oz or Half Gallon (64 oz) Pitchers
  • Teaspoon or Tablespoon
  • 6" Wire Strainer
  • Tea (Tip: some of our teas come in pre-packed pouches for making 1/2 gallon at a time).

Preparing Cold Brewed Iced Tea

  • Step 1: Add roughly 7-10 teaspoons (tablespoons if white tea or otherwise very large light leaf) of loose leaf tea to a 48 oz pitcher. If you are using a half gallon pitcher use 9-13 teaspoons (tablespoons for white tea).
  • Step 2: Add water to the pitcher and put it in the refrigerator for about 8-10 hours
  • Step 3: Strain off the loose tea and enjoy.

Note that the timing isn't exact so you can certainly add the tea to water the night before and enjoy the next morning. And while a pitcher and kitchen strainer works fine, there are accessories like the FORLIFE Mist Iced Tea Jug make preparing cold brewed iced tea a snap.

This cold brew method has been used in Japan for many years and is still relatively unknown in America. The method is great for green teas which will come out bitter if made in a traditional iced tea maker with boiling water. You will also find that your black teas made using cold brewing will have a completely different flavor profile.