Healthy Homemade Iced Tea for Holiday
Sipping a hot cup of Choice Organics tea is a great way to create space for yourself and tap into the present moment during the holidays. But whether you’re entertaining for the holidays or simply want a refreshing glass of iced tea after a long day of holiday shopping, look no further than the Choice Organics tea in your cupboard. It’s quick and easy to take a strong hot brew and cool it down, or try a cold brew method if you’ve got more time to plan ahead.
Black tea, green tea, and oolong tea work particularly well over ice without losing flavor or aroma. Herbal teas are also very refreshing iced, especially hibiscus and fruit blends. Add seasonal ingredients such as berries, fresh herbs and natural sweeteners and you’ve got a healthy, refreshing blend to enjoy.
Hot Brew + Ice
For a quick fix, start with your traditional hot brewing method. The trick is to double the number of tea bags you would normally use. Simply steep for the recommended hot brewing time in freshly boiled water, then pour over ice. The stronger “double strength” brew will water down to perfection as the ice melts.
Cold Brew
Slow and gentle cold brewing is perfect for a day when you have a little time to tinker in the kitchen. This method doesn’t require boiling water, but does take a bit more time. The benefit is a crisp and gentle infusion with full flavor and not a hint of bitterness.
In a large pitcher or jug, add the contents of one tea bag per 6-8 oz. of cold or room temperature water. Just snip off the corners of the tea bags and dump the loose tea in. Cover the pitcher and refrigerate for 6 to 8 hours for green tea; black or oolong tea can steep for 8 to 12 hours.
Strain the loose tea out of the pitcher by pouring the tea through a fine mesh sieve or cheesecloth. The tea will stay fresh in the refrigerator for up to five days.
Beyond Cold Brew
Kouridashi is a Japanese brewing technique where the tea leaves are left to steep in melting ice. Simply sprinkle the tea from one or two tea bags onto a few pieces of ice in a glass and wait for the ice to melt. Try using larger pieces of ice so that they melt more slowly. This should take about 20 to 30 minutes.
The result is a concentrated tea that is full of flavor and sweetness. You’ll want to strain out the tea leaves before enjoying your brew. If the tea is too concentrated you can always add a bit of water, or try adding more ice and sprinkling the leaves over again.
Perfect Choice Organics Pairings
Adding seasonal fruit, fresh cut herbs and natural sweeteners to your iced tea is a healthy alternative to ready-to-drink, pre-made tea. If you’re looking to sweeten your iced tea or create a fun seasonal beverage, here are some recipes you can try with your favorite Choice Organics tea varieties.