How to Cold Steep Tea And Why Should You Try Cold Steeping

“Thandi chai? No, thank you.”

That’s what most of us would say if someone handed us a glass of cold tea. In India, chai is not just tea; it’s an emotion, and it’s supposed to be steaming hot, poured from a height, and served with that unmistakable aroma wafting through the air. 

But what if I told you cold tea can be a whole different experience? One that’s refreshing, smooth, and even healthier in many ways?

Welcome to the world of cold steeping.

Cold brew coffee is a thing, and so is cold-steeped tea. The cold steep tea (aka cold brew tea) method is similar as it involves making your tea with cold water only, eliminating the water-heating process. Don’t confuse it with iced tea, as cold steeping tea does not involve any ice, but this method is still refreshing and offers many advantages. Since you are using no hot water here, the tea leaves are extracted much more slowly, which may result in a lighter-bodied tea with less astringency and bitterness. It’s an easy way to enjoy any tea type (black, green, white, oolong, puerh, and herbal) as they will all cold steep well, with steep times varying.

In this blog, we’re going to explore everything you need to know about cold steeping, from how to do it to why it’s gaining popularity and even a little bit about its fascinating roots. We’ll also show you how to use Freshleaf’s own teas to cold steep your way to deliciousness. So grab your favourite bottle or glass, and let’s cool down the chai a bit. 

The history of cold brewing

Cold-steeping tea dates back to the 1600s in Kyoto, where Japanese monks discovered that immersing leaves in cool water yielded smoother flavours without scorching the delicate tea compounds. Dutch traders later adopted “Kyoto-style” cold extraction to preserve tea and coffee on long voyages. Though iced tea brewed hot then chilled has dominated Western menus, the true cold-brew method (no heat at all) made a resurgence in the early 2000s as consumers prized cleaner, less astringent beverages. 

What is Cold Steeping?

Let’s start simple. 

Cold steeping is a method of brewing tea using cold or room temperature water, instead of hot water. You take tea leaves or tea bags, add them to cold water, let them infuse slowly, and voila, after a few hours, you have a chilled, aromatic, and flavourful drink. 

Unlike iced tea (which is brewed hot and then cooled), cold steeped tea is never heated. That changes everything, the flavour, the caffeine release, the tannins (aka bitterness) and even the colour. 

Think of it this way:

Hot brewing is like a fast-forward button. Cold steeping? That’s the slow, soothing classical raga that builds gradually.

Why Cold Steep Tea?

So why is everyone suddenly raving about cold steeping? Here’s why it’s more than just a “trend”:

1. Smoother, Less Bitter Taste

Heat extracts tannins quickly, and while tannins give structure to tea, they can also bring bitterness. Cold water is gentler, so the tea comes out less astringent, more nuanced, and super smooth. In fact, cold-steep green teas are a game changer. No more grassy aftertaste, just clean, mellow flavours. 

2. More Antioxidants, Less Caffeine

Here’s a fun science bit: some antioxidants, like catechins and flavonoids, are water-soluble and degrade at high heat. Cold steeping helps retain more of these compounds. Plus, since caffeine needs heat to fully dissolve, cold-steeped tea usually has lower caffeine, making it perfect for evening sipping. 

3. Naturally Hydrating

You know that sluggish feeling in the summer when chai feels too heavy? Cold-steeped teas are light, hydrating, and taste great even without sugar. Add a slice of lemon or tulsi leaves, and it’s like spa water, but better. 

4. No Fancy Tools Needed

All you need is a jar, a fridge, and patience. That’s it. No kettles, no filters, no boiling. You can even cold steep in a steel bottle while heading to the office. 

5. No oversteeping worries

This method is incredibly simple. You may even find it easier than steeping your tea in hot water. This is because with cold water, you don’t run the risk of oversteeping. 

In fact, because it is more forgiving, you don’t have to worry too much about the amount of tea leaves or how long you steep the tea. For example, many people tell me they’re not a fan of green tea, and usually it is because the water temperature is too hot and/or the leaves are steeping for too long. This results in a very, very bitter drink. 

If that’s the case for you, too, then cold steeping delicate teas like a green tea would be an excellent way to give it another try. 

The Science Behind Cold Steeping

• Gentler Extraction

Hot water extracts tannins and caffeine rapidly, which can lead to bitterness. Cold water, however, penetrates leaves slowly, pulling out delicate aromatic compounds and polyphenols without harsh tannins. 

• Antioxidant Powerhouse

Studies show cold-steeped tea retains higher levels of catechins and theaflavins, potent antioxidants that fight free radicals, support heart health, and bolster immunity. 

• Lower Caffeine

Cold brews typically contain 30-50% less caffeine than their hot-brewed counterparts, letting you enjoy multiple glasses without jittery side effects. 

Teas to Cold Brew

With the step-by-step guide below, I have also included a graphic with information on how long to cold steep certain teas. Please note that it is there to serve as a guide only. 

You may notice that I wrote a range of steep times because not all teas in a category may be treated the same (ie, rolled oolong tea leaves may take longer to cold brew than other oolong teas).

You can even use spent tea leaves from a hot steep! There are many times I did not want to toss away my spent tea leaves just yet. So instead I set them in a pitcher to steep overnight in the fridge. Good ‘til the very last bit!

Tea Recommendations

If you need some recommendations to get started, here are a few teas that are approved for cold brew!

• Mint-Tulsi Cooler: Combine Freshleaf Moroccan Mint with tulsi leaves for Ayurvedic freshness. 

• Fruity Infusions: Add sliced mango, pineapple, or berries to a base of chamomile or hibiscus for a vibrant colour and taste. 

• Kashmiri Kahwa Cold Brew: Infuse green tea with mild saffron threads and crushed almonds, serve with rose petals. 

• Ginger-Lemon Zest: Freshleaf’s signature, ginger’s warmth meets zesty lemon for an uplifting fizz. 

How Long to Cold Brew Tea

You can cold steep your teas for as little as 2 hours or even as long as 12 hours and more. The point is to experiment with cold steeping teas yourself. Check back on your tea often to taste where it is at and see if you like the flavour profile then. 

The only downside to cold-steeped tea is the wait time, but it’s easy to get over that if you just set your tea in the fridge to steep overnight. The next morning, you’ll wake up to a refreshing drink waiting for you and eliminate your waiting time…hooray!

How to Cold Steep Tea

What you’ll need:

• A pitcher or jar

• Tea of your choice (for best flavour, use loose-leaf tea)

• Room temperature or cold water

• Optional: flavouring (ie, fresh herbs, fruit, spices, etc.)

Let’s Get Started…

Step One: Place 2 teaspoons of loose-leaf tea into the pitcher or jar. I like to have mine loose in the pitcher, as opposed to using a tea infuser or filter. This way, the tea leaves have plenty of room to dance around and steep, allowing them to release all of their good flavours. 

Remember, you can use any tea you like. For this step-by-step guide, I am using Moroccan Mint (a personal favourite cold steeping!) Some other teas I really enjoy steeping cold are Chamomile, Lemon Honey Tea, Earl Grey, and English Breakfast.

Step Two: Pour 2 cups of room temperature or cold water into the pitcher. If you would like to make more cold brew tea, then simply double the amount of tea leaves and water. 

Optional: Add slices of fruit, fresh herbs, spices, etc., to cold steep with the tea if you want to add more and different flavours. You can also try to add a sweetener here if you’d like, but cold steep tea is naturally sweeter, so it may not be needed, and the water is not hot enough to dissolve. 

Step Three: Cover the pitcher and place it in the refrigerator. Use the chart above as a guide to tell how long your tea needs to be cold-steeping in there. As mentioned before, you can always prepare and place it in the fridge overnight. Feel free to experiment. 

Step Four: After cold steeping, take note of the liquid’s change in colour!

Taste test your cold-steeped tea to see if it’s to your liking. If you think it was steeping for too long and is now too strong, simply mix in more cold water. 

When it is perfect, pour it through a fine mesh strainer to remove the loose leaf tea. However, if you placed your tea leaves in a tea infuser or used tea bags, then simply remove and discard them. 

Step Five: Don’t forget to pour yourself (and others!) a glass. 

Tips & Tricks for perfect Cold Steep

• Use Filtered Water: Minerals in tap water can dull delicate flavours. 

• Experiment Timings: Start at 6 hours; adjust +- 2 hours to suit strength preferences. 

• Double-Batch for Parties: Scale ratio linearly, 1 tbsp leaves per 4 cups water. 

• Clean Equipment: Glass pitchers avoid lingering odours, rinse well between brews. 

Cold Steep Vs. Iced Tea

Tip: If you crave classic masala chai flavours, cold steep black tea with a small pouch of crushed cardamom, cinnamon, and ginger; the gentle infusion highlights the spice’s natural oils without overpowering heat. 

Why Freshleaf?

At Freshleaf, we curate garden-fresh teas, Assam black, Himalayan green, and exotic blends, packaged to preserve flavour and nutrients. 

• Quality First: Rainforest-grown leaves handpicked at dawn.

• Wellness-Driven: Each sachet is calibrated for perfect cold steep extraction. 

• Flavour-Forward: From Strawberry Kiwi sparkle to Cardamom Spiced Dip, our range complements any mood or meal. 

Whether you crave a calming chamomile nightcap or a sparkling tea boost, Freshleaf makes every cold steep a sensory journey. 

Is Cold Steeped Tea for India?

Absolutely. With our humid climate, increasing heatwaves, and growing health awareness, cold-steeped teas are tailor-made for India. They’re easy to prepare, budget-friendly, and far better for your body than sugar-loaded soft drinks. 

Plus, they allow for incredible fusion flavours, imagine Moroccan Mint cold steeped with a splash of honey, or Tulsi green tea with a squeeze of gondhoraj lime. 

The possibilities are endless. 

Final Thoughts

Cold steeping is not a replacement for your hot evening chai, but it’s a beautiful addition to your day. It brings together modern convenience, ancient wellness, and real flavour, all in a bottle you can carry to work, the gym, or even your next road trip. 

As we say at Freshleaf:

“Good tea shouldn’t burn your tongue. It should soothe your soul.”

So, go ahead, pick your favourite Freshleaf tea, steep it tonight, and sip something refreshing tomorrow. 

Because let’s be honest, India deserves more than just garam chai.