As a South Carolina girl, iced tea might as well run through my veins. Iced tea is like a cool breeze on a hot day, loved by many, especially when the sun's blazing or when you're just not in the mood for something steaming. Sure, you can grab some from the store, but nothing beats the taste and personal touch of making your own batch from loose leaf tea. So, let's dive into two awesome ways to whip up some homemade iced tea: cold brewing and hot brewing.
Cold Brewing Method:
- Choose your tea: Start by selecting your favorite Full Moon loose leaf tea. Our favorites for iced tea are Strawberry Honeysuckle White Teaor Evening Peach Orchard herbal tea.
- Measure the tea: Use approximately 1 tablespoon of loose leaf tea per 8 ounces of water. Adjust the amount according to your taste preferences and the strength of the tea. Our Hibiscus Berry Yerba Mateor Smoky Mountains Cowboy Chai would be fine with only a teaspoon, as they're more robust flavored teas.
- Combine tea and water: Place the loose leaf tea in a pitcher or glass container and add cold, filtered water. Stir gently to ensure all the leaves are saturated.
- Refrigerate: Cover the container and place it in the refrigerator. Allow the tea to steep for at least 4-12 hours, depending on your desired strength. Longer steeping times typically result in a stronger flavor.
- Strain and serve: Once the steeping time is complete, strain the tea to remove the loose leaves. Serve the cold-brewed tea over ice and enjoy!
Hot Brewing Method:
- Boil water: Heat fresh, filtered water to the appropriate temperature for the type of tea you're using. Different teas require different water temperatures; for example, black tea typically requires water around 200-212°F (93-100°C), while white tea is best brewed at lower temperatures, around 180-185°F (79-85°C). See more about the importance of tea brewing temps here.
- Measure the tea: Use the same measurement as for cold brewing, approximately 1 tablespoon of loose leaf tea per 8 ounces of water.
- Steep the tea: Place the loose leaf tea in a teapot or heatproof container and pour the hot water over it. Cover the container and let the tea steep for the recommended time, usually 3-5 minutes for black or white tea, 2-3 minutes for yerba mate, and 5-7 minutes for herbal infusions.
- Cool the tea: Once the tea has steeped, remove the tea leaves or strain the tea if necessary. Add sweetener (sugar or honey) while hot to dissolve. Allow the brewed tea to cool to room temperature before transferring it to the refrigerator to chill further. You can speed up the cooling process by placing the container in an ice bath.
- Serve over ice: Once the tea is cold, pour it over ice in glasses and garnish with lemon slices, mint leaves, or your favorite sweetener if desired.
Brewing iced tea from loose leaf tea allows you to tailor the flavor to your liking and experiment with different tea varieties and blends. Whether you prefer the convenience of cold brewing or the traditional method of hot brewing followed by chilling, homemade iced tea is sure to impress with its freshness and taste. So grab your favorite Full Moon loose leaf tea, follow these simple instructions, and savor the refreshing goodness of homemade iced tea all summer long.
