A "Slow-Brew" Cold-Steeped Tea for a Summer Scorched by the Sun
This summer, the temperatures seem to be testing the limits of human endurance once again. Every time you push open your front door, drenched in sweat with the heat still radiating off your body, would you want to brew a cup of scalding hot tea? That would be an absolute disaster. Does this mean we have to bid farewell to the fragrance of tea for the entire summer?
Certainly not! By changing your approach and letting the tea leaves dance slowly with time, you can have the most healing glass of summer cold-steeped tea.
Choosing the right tea is half the battle won. Not all teas are suitable for cold-steeping; what we seek is that refreshing sweetness and vitality:
- Lightly fermented green tea: The king of the cold-steeped world, full of crisp, refreshing sensations.
- Lightly oxidized oolong: Possesses the most delicate aroma, leaving a unique, lingering sweetness after cold-steeping.
- Highly aromatic black tea: This is a hidden gem for many; the aroma of black tea transforms into a charming honey-like quality when cold-steeped.
The Four Steps of Cold-Steeping (Using traditional tea leaves as an example) Stop worrying that cold-steeped tea will be bland or flavorless; try this simple yet precise "slow-extraction method":
- Pro-tip: This waiting period is just like having a conversation with the tea. It is recommended to pour out a small cup to taste at the 6-hour mark; based on the strength you prefer, decide whether to continue steeping.
- The Golden Raito for Cold-Steeping: If you want the most reliable starting point, it is recommended to try a ratio of 1 gram of tea leaves to 100 ml of water
When you return home after work, open the refrigerator, and take out not a sugary drink, but a bottle of bright, clear and sweet-aroma cold-steeped tea - this is the most sophisticated way to beat the heat this summer.
