How to make the perfect iced tea at home?
Often bought in stores, few of us dare to make iced tea at home. Yet, the option of homemade iced tea is not only more economical, but also healthier! With 100% natural ingredients and controlled sugar levels, homemade iced tea is the recipe to dive into for a delicious summer under the sign of freshness.
If you've tried and not approved of homemade iced tea, let us change your mind. With our foolproof tips and recipes, get the perfect iced tea, soft, delicate and without bitterness!
Iced tea at home: which brewing method to choose?
Cold brew tea: a guarantee of sweetness
Most people choose to brew iced tea the same way they brew their daily tea, which is in hot water. However, the heat of the water promotes the release of tannin, which increases the bitterness of the drink.
As you can guess, if you have a problem with the bitter taste of homemade iced tea, we advise you to use a "cold brew" method. To do this, simply place the tea bags or leaves to steep in room temperature water, but for much longer than in hot water! Allow 15 minutes to 2 hours, depending on your preference.
Hot brewing: a strong and flavorful drink
Hot brewing is a short infusion, about 3 minutes, in preheated water. This allows all the flavors of the tea to be released, ensuring a strong-tasting tea.
For 1 liter of tea, you can heat all the water and infuse your tea in it, or infuse the tea in a quarter of hot water, into which syrup or sugar can be mixed if needed. Then add the rest of your cold water.
Homemade iced tea: how to reduce bitterness?
This is the most common problem reported when someone tries homemade iced tea: it's far too bitter.
Is it inevitable? No! Don't worry, if your iced tea is continually bitter, it's for two reasons: its brewing method, but also the type of tea used.
Opt for milder tasting teas
Besides cold brewing, there is another solution to ensure a less bitter iced tea: carefully choose your type of tea. Tea lovers know that each leaf and each blend has very different tastes. The key is to opt for milder tasting teas that are naturally less bitter.
Black tea, for example, is stronger but less bitter than green tea. For summer, we recommend our blend Organic Black Tea - Tropical Paradise.
Finally, rooibos is certainly one of the teas least rich in tannins and especially without theine. Also known as red tea, this tea is perfectly suited for a cold preparation! If you want to give it a try, we recommend our Organic Rooibos – Chai Bos, a natural drink, rich in minerals and antioxidants.
Choose iced infusion
You can also opt for infusions. Without theine and tannins, infusions are ideal for pleasant iced teas to savor. Our Organic Infusion – Sweetness is perfect for fully enjoying the taste of hibiscus, apple, and ginger.
Our iced tea recipes to make at home
Now that we've covered the types of tea to use and the different brewing methods and their characteristics, it's time to get cooking! In addition to our delicious peach iced tea recipe, several recipes exist for enjoying delicious homemade tea.
Mint iced tea: the refreshing drink of summer
In summer, nothing beats a mint iced tea to hydrate while avoiding intense heat. We recommend a green mint tea, which you can brew cold or hot depending on your preferences. If you prefer something sweet, you can add a simple syrup, which is more easily soluble in cold water.
Finally, add a few fresh mint leaves, ice cubes, and perhaps a few lemon slices to the preparation, then enjoy!
Hibiscus infusion: the drink of hot countries
Hibiscus iced tea/infusion is a widely consumed drink in Africa, but also in South America! Flavorful, this infusion can be enjoyed without moderation at any time of day. Discover its benefits in our article about this amazing flower.
To make it at home, choose an hibiscus infusion or hibiscus tea. To retain all the sweetness of this preparation, we recommend a cold infusion. Feel free to garnish the glasses with a few ice cubes and seasonal fruits to make it even more delicious!
Lemon ginger tea: the refreshing and invigorating drink!
Do you want a drink that is both healthy, strong in flavor, fresh, and invigorating? Then lemon ginger iced tea is for you! To make it, we offer our Organic Green Tea - Ginger Tonic, to which you will add a few slices of lemon and ice cubes.
To fully enjoy the benefits of these natural and organic plants, it is best to avoid adding sugar, which will make the drink less healthy and more caloric.