In the middle of summer, when the long, muggy days make me want to jump straight into a body of water (or, more likely, an air-conditioned building), I crave iced tea.
There’s a reason iced tea is so popular in the hot, humid regions of this country: it’s refreshing! And while my craving for iced tea has been steadily increasing over the past few weeks, what hasn’t increased proportionately is my skill at making it. I find that my tea is always brewed a little too lightly or, in the case of black teas, too strong.
So I reached out to an expert, Stacey Gay, chef and culinary director at Luzianne Tea, for advice on all things iced tea.
What is the best way to make iced tea?
Let's start with proportions. “The best practice for brewing is to pour 250 ml of water per tea bag,” says Gay. So start there, then heat your water and pour it over your tea bag(s). Gay says the general steeping time is three to five minutes for black and herbal teas and three to four minutes for green tea.
If you like stronger tea, you can For a stronger brew, steep the tea bag longer. “That said,” Gay cautions, “if you steep it too long, it can become bitter, so I suggest adding another bag and steeping for three to four minutes.” It's better to increase the tea bag-to-water ratio than to increase the steep time.
“Tea should be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for a short time after brewing,” Gay says. “I use a half-gallon Ball glass jar with a lid.” If you want to brew a larger batch of tea, any container will do as long as it’s covered with plastic wrap or a tight-fitting lid.
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Does water temperature matter?
Simply put, “yes, water temperature matters,” Gay says. As a general rule, “the lighter the tea, the colder the water temperature.” For white or green tea, she suggests a water temperature between 170 and 185°F; for black or herbal tea, between 208 and 212°F is ideal.
If you don't have a thermometer, Gay says, “you can tell the water is close to the right temperature for lighter teas when small bubbles start to appear on the sides of the pot.” The water should be at a full boil for darker leaves.
As for what type of water to use, Gay opts for filtered or spring water because she prefers the flavor; however, the type of water you use is entirely up to your personal preference and will not affect the brewing of your tea.
How long will my iced tea last?
Gay says she typically consumes a gallon of iced tea a week (ditto). Regardless of how much you drink, she recommends consuming it within three to five days. “It's best when it's cold!”
