Summer is around the corner and warm weather will be here before you know it! One of the questions that we get asked most frequently this time of year is which teas are good for cold-brewing? One of the many wonders of tea is its natural versatility and with that statement we are happy to say that nearly any tea can be cold-brewed!

Consumers love the ease of popping a pitcher of tea into the fridge and having delicious iced tea with minimal prep. You can either use loose-leaf teas (with a paper filter or other type of strainer) or a pre-measured quart or gallon teabag (aka iced pouch) that you simply add to a pitcher of cold water and put it in the fridge for a few hours. The result is a super smooth and flavorful brew with low effort and great results. So easy!

For convenience, we offer a line of both quart and gallon-sized iced tea pouches ready to be brewed hot or iced, but don’t limit your offering to these options. Offer disposable paper filters so your customer can brew any tea they desire with this simple method. We also offer two lines of iced tea pitchers that can also be used for cold-brewing. They make a nice cross-sale with your most summery loose-leaf teas.

For in-shop tea service, you can even cold-brew tea concentrates by increasing the leaf to water ratio (i.e., use three times the normal amount of leaves for the same amount of water) and dilute to strength with ice, cold milks, and/or cold water to get more yield on the fly when serving your thirsty customers. The result will still be flavorful and delicious!

With the US consumption of iced still exceeding that of hot teas, it behooves you to create a special display of teas labeled as ‘cold-brew’ in your tea shop. Include a small recipe card of how to make cold-brew for the ease of the customer, who will be amazed by the simplicity. Convenience is king in the summer when people want to relax and enjoy the good weather! By riding this iced tea wave throughout the warm months, you will boost summer sales and stay in the green!