The Different Types Of Teas: Varieties, Tastes And Preparation
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Our iced tea recipe
Written by Julie
On these beautiful summer days, let yourself be tempted by a delicious iced tea! Oh, sure, you could just open a can of a big brand. But when it comes down to it, if you want to find the one that is exactly to your taste, fruity and less sugary, the best way is to make it yourself! Discover without further delay the iced tea recipe that will refresh your summer.
Recipe N°1: the hot water method
This iced tea recipe uses hot water to infuse the tea. The exact temperature of the water will vary in accordance with the tea you’re using: the darker the tea will be, the hotter the water shoulb be (but take care not to burn it). However, keep in mind that this method has two major inconvenients… Indeed, hot water can destroy the vitamin and mineral content of tea leaves. Your drink will also develop more tannin, which will bring more bitterness to your cup. If you like bitter tea, this is the method for you!
Steps for making iced tea using a kettle and hot water :
Firstly, heat the water (using a variable temperature kettle if possible, for maximum precision).
Brew the tea the water over your tea (whether loose or in teabags) and let it infuse until the water turns the desired colour (no more than 15 minutes).
Leave the tea to cool.
Place it in a refrigerator for a at least 6 hours.
Recipe N°2: the room temperature method
Easier and quicker, the room temperature method is probably the best way to make iced tea. By using this method, the risk of producing that unwanted tannin is significantly reduced, meaning that even the subtlest flavours of your tea can flourish. Moreover, as well as preserving the full flavour, you will also benefit from all the nutritional properties (vitamins and minerals) that are naturally present in your tea, making it the perfect drink for any time of day. Just be careful: if you’re making an iced tea using green tea, be sure to drink it within 24 hours as it will oxidise quickly.
The recipe in a few simple steps
Pour 15g of tea for 1L of water at room temperature.
Leave the tea to brew between 30 minutes and several hours, depending on the type of tea being used (the darker the tea is, the longer the time is ).
Occasionally stir the water and the tea during the brewing.
Once the infusion is done, remove the tea leaves (or teabags).
Feel free to add slices of fresh lemon, mint leaves, honey, agave syrup, maple syrup, or other ingredients of your choice…
Cool the drink in your refriregator for a few hours.
Once it is nicely fresh, serve and enjoy!
Other recipes for iced tea
Brands like Dammann Frères, Comptoir Français du thé and English Tea Shop all offer tea bags especially designed to make iced tea. It’s also possible to make iced tea cubes, which are a real treat in the summer! All it takes is to add one flavoured ice cube to a glass of water (flat, fizzy, or even lemonade) to bring an intense freshness to your drink.
Personalising your iced tea
For an even more indulgent iced tea, why not try making it with the following ingredients?
- Chunks and zests of fresh fruit
- Spices
- Agave or maple syrup
- Aromatic herbs
You could also try replacing the still water with sparkling water or even lemonade.
Handy accessories for an even more refreshing drink
These days, a wide array of products are available to help you prepare your iced or cold tea. Here is a selection of the best:
Variable temperature kettles can help for the first method, while other specialised kettles like the Sencha Ice de Riviera & Bar includes an iced tea mode that is ideal for the second recipe. Iced or cold tea is also a healthy option for kids, just pick an option without theine like the African Sweety.
Check out our selection of iced or cold tea to make a delicious and refreshing drink, tailored just for you! If you’d rather play with loose leaf tea, why not try fruity or minty teas?
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