Iced White Tea: How to Cold Brew White Tea

Most of us know the tastes of a smooth black tea or earthy green tea, but have you ever tried white tea? White tea tastes like a very light tea, with a delicate sweetness as compared to black and green teas.

This delicate tea can be a bit trickier to brew hot, as it requires a 175 degree brewing temperature for three minutes. This can be achieved with a temperature controlled kettle or thermometer, however there is a way around this fussy process that makes drinking white tea foolproof-  cold brew white tea.

How to Cold Brew White Tea

Cold brewing is a wonderful way to prepare your tea, especially in the warmer months when the iced white tea cravings are strong. Personally, I cold brew all year long, but I definitely go through more in spring and summer. To cold brew iced tea, simply measure two teaspoons per eight ounces of cold water Then? Just let it sit overnight in your fridge! It’s that easy. Some blends can even be ready in a few hours if you are in a rush, check the flavor to your liking.

Why is this so simple? If tea is steeped too hot or too long in hot water, it will become bitter. Hot water brings out more tannins in a tea blend, which is the number one culprit when dealing with bitter tea. When brewing with cold water, there are much less tannins released and the brewing time is way more flexible. Strain your tea (or don’t, it won’t hurt the flavor) when you are ready to drink!

But What is White Tea?

White tea is created from the same Camellia Sinensis plant that all tea comes from. That’s right, your beloved black, green, oolong, and even white tea all comes from the same plant. The difference in color and flavor come from the processing the plant goes through, and with the white tea, what time in the growing stage the leaves are picked. White tea is created from the fresh buds of the tea plant, before they unravel into leaves. The name “white tea” comes from the tricomes, a protective fuzz on the buds. After being picked, the buds are “withered” and air dried, where they lose their early chlorophyll. White tea is the least processed of the teas, yet can surprisingly be higher in caffeine if the loose leaf tea contains many “tips” or buds, which contain slightly more caffeine than leaves. Caffeine level of a tea blend depends on all of the elements included in the tea, so it can also be a low caffeine option depending on the specific blend. Here at Plum Deluxe, we list the caffeine content on our website.

Is White Tea Good for You?

All tea is good for you, but if you are looking for higher antioxidant properties, white tea is for you! Antioxidants may help reduce the risk of many diseases and certain cancers. Tea is also hydrating, which is a great reason to cold brew white tea and drink it throughout the day. If you are drinking a tea blend, you are also reaping the benefits of the other herbs and fruits in the blend. Overall, you can’t go wrong with a tall glass of tea!

White Tea Blends

So, what blends should you choose? Well, you really can’t go wrong. Plum Deluxe has a collection of loose leaf, organic blends to suit your taste. Afternoon High Tea White Tea is a lovely blend of peaches, pears, and apricots and white tea. This tea is light and fruity, with a low caffeine content great for those sensitive to caffeine or wanting a blend that you can drink all day long.

Lavender Daydream is an ethereal white tea blend of sweet lavender, mango, apricot, and peach with just a hint of citrus to round out the flavor. The fruity flavors and floral sweetness of this blend make it another perfect choice for cold brew white tea that can be sipped all day.

If you are looking for something really fun to cold brew, try our Butterfly Effect Green and White blend which tastes like mango and peaches and turns a wonderful blue color from the butterfly pea flower! Add a splash of citrus, and that blue will turn violet!

Whatever blend you choose, you can’t go wrong. Follow what tastes you like and cold brew something new!