Cold brewing might be the easiest way to enjoy great tea. No kettle, no timer, no special skills. Just tea, water, and a little patience.
At CAFERES JAPAN in Tokyo this summer, our cold brew teas were some of the most popular cups at our booth. Many visitors were surprised by how smooth and naturally sweet Taiwanese tea can taste when brewed cold. Here’s how you can make it at home in just 4 easy steps.
Why Cold Brew?
When tea steeps slowly in the fridge, it extracts gently. Compared with hot brewing, cold brew tends to pull out fewer of the compounds that make tea taste bitter or astringent. The result is a cup that’s smoother, softer, and naturally sweet, with the tea’s aromas still shining through.
It’s also easy to fit into your day. Prepare it in the evening, and it’s ready by morning.
The Golden Ratio: 1 g Tea to 100 ml Water
This ratio works for both loose leaf tea and tea bags.
- 1g tea (about ½ tsp) → 100 ml water
- 5g tea → 500 ml bottle
- 10g tea → 1 liter pitcher
Easy 4 Steps to a Naturally Sweet and Refreshing Cup
1. Tea Leaves
Add 1 g of tea leaves (about ½ teaspoon) to your bottle or pitcher.
2. Water
Add 100 ml of room temperature water for every 1 g of tea (ratio 1 g : 100 ml).
3. Refrigerate
Cover and refrigerate for 6–8 hours.
4. Enjoy
Remove the tea leaves and enjoy your refreshing cold brew!
Tips
- Steep again. Your tea leaves can be cold brewed 1–2 more times and still taste fresh and refreshing.
- Make it your own. Adjust the amount of tea leaves to your taste. More leaves give a fuller flavour, fewer give a lighter cup.
Our Favourite Teas for Cold Brew
Honey Black Tea
One of the most popular cold brews at our Tokyo booth. Cold brewing brings out its honey-like sweetness and gentle fruitiness, with almost no bitterness.
Kinsen Oolong (Jin Xuan)
Smooth, creamy, and lightly floral. Cold brew gives it a silky texture that’s incredibly refreshing.
Lychee Kiss Oolong
Naturally sweet with notes of honey and ripe fruit. It’s wonderful hot, but cold brewing makes it bright and juicy.
Pomelo Blossom Oolong
Delicate and fragrant, with a fresh citrus-blossom aroma that comes through beautifully when chilled.
FAQ
Can I cold brew tea bags?
Yes. Use the same ratio of 1 g of tea per 100 ml of water. Check the weight of each tea bag on the package to find how many you need, and simply remove the bags when your tea is ready.
How long does cold brew tea last?
For the best flavour, enjoy it within 2–3 days and keep it refrigerated.
Is cold brew tea only for summer?
Not at all. Many people keep a bottle in the fridge year-round. It’s an easy way to drink more water and always have tea ready.
Can I heat up cold brew tea?
You can warm it gently, but for a hot cup, we recommend brewing fresh with hot water to enjoy the full aroma.
A Cup of Calm, Ready When You Are
Cold brew is tea at its most relaxed. Prepare it the night before, and tomorrow there’s a cup of calm waiting for you in the fridge.
Explore our teas and find your favourite cold brew.
A cup of calm. A soft moment of joy.
- Honey Black Tea → /products/honey-black-tea-2
- Kinsen Oolong → /products/kinsen-oolong-tea
- Lychee Kiss Oolong → /products/lychee-kiss-oolong-tea-1
- Pomelo Blossom Oolong → /products/pomelo-blossom-loose-tea
- Explore our teas → /collections/all