The weather is gradually getting warmer. Would you like to drink some refreshing iced tea?
Some Chinese teas are especially delicious when made into iced tea. They have gained the love of many tea enthusiasts.
We have compiled a list for you, so whether you prefer green tea, white tea, or oolong tea, you can find the right one here.
Best Loose Leaf Tea for Iced Tea
1.Jasmine Green Tea
Jasmine green tea is characterized by its fresh and crisp taste.
When made into iced tea, the freshness of jasmine green tea becomes more pronounced, and the bitterness is reduced. At the same time, the scent of jasmine flowers becomes more prominent and light, allowing one to fully appreciate the delightful freshness of Chinese jasmine tea.
2.Longjing Tea (Dragon Well Tea)
As one of the famous Chinese green tea, Longjing Tea has a mellow taste with a refreshing sweetness. Its aroma is also very fresh and tender.
Iced tea made from Longjing Tea has a gentle and fresh character.
Find more loose leaf green tea with our Green Tea Sampler.>>>
3.Baihao Yinzhen (White Hair Silver Needle)
Baihao Yinzhen has a subtle grassy aroma along with the unique sweetness of white tea. Due to its fresh and tender taste, Baihao Yinzhen can be considered one of the best loose leaf tea.
When made into iced tea, Baihao Yinzhen exhibits a clear and refreshing sensation that reaches the throat.
4.Moonlight White
The aroma of Moonlight White tea is more pronounced compared to Baihao Yinzhen. It is characterized by prominent floral and fruity notes, as well as a sweet taste.
When made into iced tea, these characteristics of Moonlight White are amplified. It can be said that Moonlight White iced tea is just as impressive as its hot counterpart.
5.Fenghuang Dancong
Among loose leaf oolong tea, Fenghuang Dancong is renowned for its high fragrance. Several famous fragrances of Phoenix Dancong, such as Milan aroma (Honey Orchid) and Yashi aroma (Duck Shit), are suitable for making iced tea.
When made into iced tea, the fragrance of Fenghuang Dancong becomes fresher and more delicate. Additionally, the lower temperature reduces some of the inherent bitterness in Fenghuang Dancong, resulting in a better taste.
Find more loose leaf oolong tea with our Oolong Tea Sampler.>>>
What Kind of Tea is Best for Iced Tea: Freshness, Aroma, Sweetness
Low temperatures amplify the freshness, aroma, and sweetness of loose leaf tea. Therefore, iced tea made from loose leaf teas with these characteristics will be more delicious.
Teas with the characteristics of freshness, aroma, and sweetness often have a lower degree of oxidation. If you don't have the teas mentioned above in your cupboard, you can also try using other loose leaf teas with low oxidation levels.
Additionally, some highly oxidized teas can be used to make iced tea, providing a richer flavor profile. However, when making iced tea with highly oxidized teas, strange flavors can easily occur. Also, these teas are not as delicious when cold brewed as they are when hot brewed, so please try with caution.
Find more Chinese tea with our Loose Leaf Tea Sampler.>>>
What Can You Add to Your Iced Tea?
You can add fruits like green grapes, peaches, and pineapples to your iced tea.
These fruits are sweet with a slight acidity, adding rich layers of flavor to the fresh, aromatic, and sweet taste of iced tea. Some of the best oolong tea has exquisite floral and fruity aromas, making them delicious when paired with fruits.
Chopped fruits can be added to better release their flavors.
Fruit iced tea is incredibly delicious and perfect for sharing with friends. When you're unsure of what gift to give your friends, consider picking some tea gift sets that's suitable for making iced tea.
Frequently Asked Questions
1.Should I use cold brew or hot brew to make iced tea?
Cold Brew Method:
Place loose leaf tea in a large bottle and fill it with water. Put the bottle in the refrigerator for a few hours, then take it out to get a bottle of iced tea.
Hot Brew Method:
Steep loose leaf tea in a small amount of hot water to get a stronger tea concentrate. Once the tea has cooled slightly, add cold water or ice cubes to dilute it, resulting in a glass of iced tea.
Both cold brew and hot brew methods can be used to make iced tea. Before deciding which method to use, you may consider the following aspects.
- Time: The hot brew method for making iced tea takes less time, as you can get your desired tea within five minutes. Cold brewing iced tea requires at least a few hours and requires enough patience to wait.
- Bitterness: Tea steeped in hot water is more likely to release bitter compounds. Tea steeped in cold water can reduce the extraction of bitter compounds, resulting in a sweeter tea.
2.Can I use sun tea brewing method?
It is not recommended to use the sun tea brewing method.
While the sun tea brewing method may seem appealing, it carries certain risks. Tea water exposed to sunlight at certain temperatures can easily breed harmful bacteria, which can be detrimental to health when consumed.
If you really want to use this method, please exercise extreme caution during the process. Thoroughly disinfect the container used for brewing tea before steeping. Also, avoid steeping the tea for too long in direct sunlight; it is advisable not to exceed 4 hours.
Compared to hot tea, iced tea has its unique aspects, especially in showcasing the freshness of Chinese tea.
When you have the right tea on hand, consider trying to make iced tea; it might just open up a whole new world for you.
