In the height of summer, when long, sweaty days make me want to jump directly into a body of water (or, more likely, into an air-conditioned building), I develop a strong craving for iced tea.
There’s a reason iced tea is such a popular staple in the hot, humid parts of this country: It’s refreshing! And while my craving for it has steadily increased in the past few weeks, what has not grown in proportion is my skill in preparing said tea. I find my tea is always brewed a little too light or, with black teas, too strong.
So I reached out to an expert, Stacey Gay, chef and culinary director at Luzianne Tea, to get some advice on all things iced tea.
What Is the Best Way To Brew Iced Tea?
First, let’s talk about ratios. “The best brewing practice is eight ounces of water per single-serving tea bag,” explains Gay. So start there, then heat up your water and pour it over your tea bag(s). General brewing time, suggests Gay, is three to five minutes for black and herbal tea and three to four minutes for green tea.
If you like stronger tea, you can achieve a bolder brew by steeping the tea bag longer. “That being said,” warns Gay, “if you steep for too long, the tea can become bitter, so I would also suggest adding another bag and steeping for three to four minutes.” It’s best to increase the tea bag-to-water ratio rather than increasing the steeping time.
“The tea should be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator soon after brewing,” says Gay, “I use a half-gallon glass Ball jar with a lid.” If you’re looking to make a bigger batch, any vessel will work as long as it’s covered with plastic wrap or an airtight lid.
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Does Water Temperature Matter?
Put simply, “yes, water temperature matters,” explains Gay. Generally speaking, “the lighter the tea, the cooler the temperature of the water.” For white/green tea, she suggests a water temperature of between 170 and 185°F; for black or herbal tea, between 208 and 212°F is best.
If you don’t have a thermometer, says Gay, “you can tell the water is close to the correct temperature for light teas when small bubbles start appearing around the sides of the pan.” Water should be at a full boil for darker leaves.
As for what kind of water to use, Gay opts for filtered or spring water because she prefers the flavor; however, what kind of water you use is completely up to personal preference and will not affect the brewing of your tea.
How Long Will My Iced Tea Last?
Gay herself says she usually runs through a gallon of iced tea per week (same). Regardless of how much you drink however, she recommends using it within three to five days. “It’s best when it’s fresh!”
