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Exploring The Cold Brew Process — Boost Your Tea’s Flavor Naturally!

February 21, 2022

Tea is delicious in any form…but cold-brewing your tea can amplify more nuanced flavors and give you a beautiful, full-bodied brew. Cold-brewing is a simple (yet often overlooked) step that you can take to boost your tea’s natural flavor and benefits and can be done with tea tools that you can find around your home. Read on to learn more about the tea cold brew process.

Benefits of cold brew tea

Cold brewing tea is a Japanese-based tradition that has impacted tea enthusiasts around the world today. The purpose of cold brewing is to preserve as much nutritional benefit and taste as possible, creating a crisp, refreshing, and one-of-a-kind beverage as a result.

There are additional practical benefits that you can enjoy with each cup, including a lesser amount of tannins in each brew. This results in a cleaner, fresher taste, and avoids the bitter aftertaste that some teas are known for. If you’re working with caffeinated leaves, you can also expect slightly fewer milligrams of caffeine to make it into your cup — helping you avoid that dreaded mid-afternoon crash.

Types of teas to use for cold brew tea

The tea experience comes down to elements of personal preference, which gives you ample room to experiment with the cold brew process. You can technically enjoy any type of tea cold-brewed, but you may have mixed results depending on its natural strength, taste, and composition. Generally, you’ll want to stay with loose-leaf tea blends for ultimate flavor and feel, but you can also use your favorite bagged teas in a pinch.

Common cold-brew friendly teas include:

Green tea
Herbal tea
Black tea
White tea
Passionflower tea
Hibiscus tea
…and many, many more. Time to experiment!

A great way to explore the tastes that you can create is to use blends from specialty tea shops. You’ll get to indulge in exotic blends, like autumn cranberry black tea or Cloud & Mist green tea. Generally you’ll find flavored teas and green teas that are cold brewed due to the aromas. You’ll also find a wealth of information about how you can optimize your cold brewing process.

Exploring the cold brew process

The cold brew process is effortlessly simple, and can often be done with things that you can find around your own kitchen. That’s just one of the many reasons we can’t get enough of delicious, cold-brewed tea. Below, we’ve outlined the steps that you can take to enjoy fresh cold brew tea today:

1. Choose your tea & your vessel

Choosing the right tea for the cold brew process is simple — choose your favorite blend and get ready to enjoy! If you’re feeling more on the adventurous side, you could also shop around and indulge in a special tea blend to experiment with.

Lighter flavored, sweeter blends can be made even tastier with this process, as cold brew often results in a more sweet taste due to the lack of tannins present through the brewing process. Consider experimenting with a floral tea, such as jasmine, or delving into something light such as oolong-based blends. In either case, the result will be a refreshing glass of cold brew tea.

You can make any vessel work, such as a pitcher or oversized decanter. You can even purchase a dedicated cold brew pitcher. These often include a strainer attachment to keep your loose leaf teas intact, allowing the water to flow over them and capture the flavor off of the leaves.

2. Prepare your tea

The question you’ve been waiting for: how much tea do we add to the pitcher for the perfect glass? Well, the answer may vary. Experts estimate anywhere from 2 tablespoons to 5 tablespoons is the right amount for a pitcher filled with 6 to 8 cups of water. You can take the time to make multiple batches and experiment with the perfect concentration for your favorite blend.

After you’ve determined your ratio, fill your pitcher with water. You’ll want to float the leaves or tea bags on top lightly, letting them fall naturally into the water. Allow it to sit out of the fridge for up to one hour before refrigeration, after which you’ll leave it uncovered and undisturbed in the fridge for 8 to 12 hours.

This time is crucial to help the flavors disperse, leaving you with a well-rounded and delicious glass of tea. It will also result in a more flavorful cup of tea due to the longer steeping time but will deliver that flavor without the afterbite of bitterness that hot brew styles tend to offer.

3. Garnish and enjoy

After the brew is complete, you will have a delicious pitcher of cold brew tea. However, there’s always room for improvement — which is where your garnish comes in. You can easily uplevel your experience by garnishing your tea with a zingy lemon wedge or with fresh notes of picked mint from the garden. You can also enjoy with some raw sugar to help elevate the notes of sweetness in your glass.

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Tea Gifts Tea Guides

The Best Valentine’s Day Gifts for Every Tea Lover

January 26, 2022

Looking for the perfect Valentine’s Day gift? Look no further. We created a list of the best gifts (especially for the tea lover in your life) to give this Valentine’s Day! There’s nothing quite like cozying up with a warm mug in hand, whether it’s filled with a calming chamomile, caffeinated English breakfast or flavorful matcha; especially when it’s a meaningful gift. Weather you are celebrating Valentine’s Day with a partner, yourself or with your galentines, here are out top choices for this year!

Digital Electric Glass Kettle

The Chefman Electric Kettle has a digital touch display with programmable steep times and boils water faster than traditional methods. This kettle has eight presets included to make it easy to get the perfect hot water for your all teas including black, herbal, oolong, white, green, and delicate teas! Just pick your preset and the hot water boiler can make up to 6 cups.

Tea Storage Container

Nothing says I love you quite like making sure that person always has the freshest cup of tea possible. This beautiful, vacuum sealed container is the perfect gift for all tea lovers!

A Tea Subscription Box

Our tea subscription box is the perfect gift. What’s better than being able to try out new teas from around the world? Monthly tea subscription boxes are a great way to find new teas that you love. We have over 100 teas to try and a tea for everyone.

Hand painted tea kettle

This vibrant tea kettle has more than just one use so it makes the perfect gift! This Indian kettle has been handpainted by trained Pattachitra artists of Odisha. This kettle is a tribute to Odisha’s rich art and culture interpreted for the modern home décor through their artistic manifestations. This kettle is not to be used as a pot on the stove. It can be used for Home Décor, as a planter, as kitchenware, a jewelry holder and is ideal for serving!

Matcha Chocolate

I don’t think many people would be upset with chocolate as a gift. Especially not on one of the biggest sweets days of the year! This matcha chocolate melts in your mouth and is loaded with antioxidants! As a bonus, you will be supporting a small business. It’s a win-win all around!

Gold Heart Tea Infuser

Everyone needs a tea infuser handy! This beautiful gold tea infuser filter is the perfect way to say ‘I Love You’ to the tea lover in your life. It is made with high quality food grade stainless steeled is rust free. Because of this, you will have this piece around for years and years to come.

Heart Shaped Tea Mug

These heart shaped double lined mugs are the perfect way to show your partner, friend or yourself love each morning! The double-layer glass with handle allows you to safely hold hot drinks without worrying about getting burned or slipping. This design eliminates condensation on the external glass. The insulation effect it creates keeps beverages hot or cold.

Green Tea Bath Bomb

Everyone can benefit from some extra self-care time. This green tea bath bomb infused with lavender is the perfect gift to do so! It also has all-natural epsom salt for true self-care, sore muscles and pure relaxation. It cleanses and detoxes your skin in a natural and gentle way.

A Tea Infused Sweet

Looking to make something yourself? We have a whole blog dedicated to tea-infused desserts and treats that is sure to make every tea lover smile. To add a v-day flare, add a few drops of food red food coloring to these recipes!

Which one of these would you give your Valentine? What ever you choose, being present is the best thing you can be. Even spending the morning sipping your favorite tea together can be a meaningful gift to your Valentine. If you get any of these gifts, be sure to let us know!

Happy Valentine’s Day from all of us at The Tea Kitchen!

Be sure to follow us on Instagram @theteakitchen for daily tea posts, recipes and inspo!

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Types of Tea

The Best Teas to Boost Your Immune System

January 14, 2022

Tea has been used in herbal medicine to treat minor illnesses for thousands of years. Tea is great for your immune system. It is high in antioxidants and is a great source of hydration! Many teas have antiviral and antibacterial properties that can help to prevent you from getting sick. If you’re afraid you’ve already caught a bug, tea can also help to soothe your body and ease symptoms while you recover. From ginger teas to herbal infusions that you can make at home, we’re breaking it down so that you can be ahead of the cold seasons!

Ginger Tea

Ginger is a flowering plant that originated in Southeast Asia. It’s among the healthiest spices on the planet. Ginger teas contain antimicrobial properties that can help to boost your immune system and keep you safe and healthy. It’s also been shown that ginger can help reduce stress and we all know how stress can wreak havoc on our immune system! Ginger imparts a slightly sweet, slightly spicy flavor to tea blends, and is a popular ingredient in both caffeinated and herbal teas. Some of our favorites are lemon ginger herbal tea and our ginger black.

Peppermint Tea

Peppermint is an aromatic herb in the mint family that is a cross between watermint and spearmint. It is another popular herbal tea that can be consumed on its own or as an ingredient in both caffeinated and herbal blends. Peppermint is cool, minty, and soothing – the perfect thing when you’re feeling under the weather. Studies have shown that peppermint has antimicrobial and antiviral properties that can help ward off illness. It’s also high in antioxidants along with a variety of other health benefits such as improving energy and relieving headaches.

Cinnamon Tea

Cinnamon is loaded with antioxidants and anti-inflammatory properties. Antioxidants fight off oxidation caused by free radicals, which are molecules that damage your cells and contribute to diseases. Compounds found in cinnamon tea can fight off bacteria and fungi. It controls blood sugar levels and blood pressure, promotes heart health and also reduces pain caused by menstrual cramps. Adding honey to your cinnamon tea infusion can not only add flavor, but also has antioxidants and enzymes that help one heal from within. It also has antibacterial properties that ward off infections and damaging cells from the body.

Lemongrass Tea

Lemon grass has anti-bacterial & anti-fungal properties that help you cope with cold, cough and flu and is loaded with vitamin c that strengthens immunity. Lemongrass also has antioxidant properties that kill free radicals that cause diseases in the body. Its antimicrobial functions treat oral infections and cavities. A cup of lemongrass tea can do wonders for an upset stomach, cramping, or other digestive issues. Our dragonfruit white is infused with lemongrass to create a one of a kind cup to sip on.

Green Tea

Green tea has been consumed for centuries for its beneficial properties. Green teas are rich in anti-oxidants called Polyphenols. Polyphenols are efficient infection fighters. They protect the body against potential viruses, infections and sickness. Green tea blended with Tulsi, Mulethi and Ginger help keep diseases like asthma, lung infection, cough etc at bay, while flavours like Ashwagandha and Nettle Leaves impede the growth of cancer cells in the body and stimulate the lymphatic system. The anti-oxidants of green tea help rid the body of free radicals, and make the liver healthy.

White Tea

The benefits of white tea are no secret. From chefs to medical researchers, everybody praises the sweet flavour and health benefits of this tea. Studies say that white teas are helpful in reducing risks of cancer and cardio vascular diseases. It is rich in polyphenols, tannin and flavonoids. The antioxidants work on protecting the various organs of the body, while also eliminate free radicals that can potentially damage blood cells, DNA and collagen. White tea may also provide some relief from diabetic symptoms by decreasing your plasma glucose levels and increase insulin secretion. Antibacterial properties of this tea can help fight against infections while it’s soothing effects aid in relief from insomnia, stress and fatigue. Incorporating white tea into our habitual morning rituals is a great way to reinforce your immune system and begin your day.

While tea is full of health benefits, it isn’t a replacement for professional medical treatment. You should always seek the help of a medical professional if you think you’re suffering from a serious illness. That said, tea has many benefits to help prevent you from getting sick and help you through the process when you are under the weather.

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Tea Health Benefits

How Tea Can Benefit Your Skin

July 23, 2021

If you know skincare, you know that it’s no secret that tea is a beneficial ingredient that can be found in many different skincare products. The antioxidant properties found in teas provide a long list of different benefits for your skin. Not only does consuming tea benefit your skin, but it can also serve as a topical use ingredient.

Tea has been used in skincare for centuries in Asian countries such as China, Korea, and India. Tea extracts were used as essences by Asian Princesses centuries ago, and the cosmetic application of teas has continued to develop since then. As the demand within the cosmetic industry for “clean skincare” products has risen, so has the presence of tea in skincare products. What once served as a product only available to royalty, now has expanded to be used by people all over the world as dermatology concerns become more prevalent in today’s society.

Camellia sinensis is a species of tree that produce tea leaves. They are known to be a rich source of antioxidants and other bioactive compounds that benefit our skin. Some constituents associated with tea and the condition of our skin include antiaging properties, cell regeneration, skin circulation, increased UV protection, and more. These can be broken down in specific by the type of tea found in your skincare product, or the type of tea you are using to apply directly onto your skin.

Keep reading to learn about how these specific teas can benefit your skin.

Green Tea

The antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties found in Green Tea can help protect your skin from environmental stressors. The consumption of Green Tea can also aid in preventing skincare is it brings these properties to the foreground in protecting your skin from UV damage. It achieves this by promoting DNA repair. UV damage is often a primary cause of fine lines, wrinkles, and sunspots. Therefore, making Green Tea a great product to prevent those skin concerns from arising. The potent polyphenols found in green tea are extra helpful in benefitting your skin and reducing damage which can help to prevent the formation of wrinkles. Green Tea can also help detoxify your skin and prevent acne blemishes. The anti-inflammatory properties found in Green Tea can aid in soothing your skin and can act as a great natural toner. Add green tea to your skincare routine to experience these benefits.

Chamomile Tea

Chamomile herbal tea is great for supporting your skin health for a variety of different reasons. For starters, chamomile teas are often used to aid in sleep as they are not caffeinated and can alleviate stress and anxiety through the relaxing compounds found inside of them. More sleep means healthier skin which can result in a glowing complexion. When you are able to get a full night’s rest of sleep it can avoid skin concerns such as dark under-eye circles or puffiness. Chamomile tea also has healing properties that can relieve other irritations such as eczema and rosacea.

Jasmine Tea

Among the many benefits of Jasmine tea, it is rich in antioxidants and antibacterial properties which can assist in supporting the health and look of your skin. These properties bring a rich blood supply packed with nutrients to your skin which can prevent aging and be used to treat acne. It helps to regulate the circulation of your blood which has major skin benefits. Jasmine tea can also be used to even out the tone of your skin and prevent uneven pigmentation as well as reduce fine lines.

Matcha

Matcha is a favored ingredient in the “beau-tea” realm as it promotes healthy-looking skin with the help of the powerful antioxidants and vitamins found in matcha. Matcha can serve as a gentle exfoliant to help diminish the appearance of pores and wrinkles. Its antibacterial properties can also help remove excess oils from your skin which can assist in treating and preventing acne. Matcha can also help moisturize and cleanse your skin to provide a natural glow while detoxifying your skin from irritations. Hydrate your skin and pack it with nutrients by using high-grade matcha to opt for healthier skin.

White Tea

White Tea is another tea that can help boost a naturally glowing complexion. The properties found in white tea can serve as stress relievers which may help flush the toxins out of your body. By flushing out the toxins, it can help to detoxify your skin and clear out any existing acne. The theanine found in white tea is what makes this all possible. By relaxing your body, it boosts the appearance of your skin and can dramatically strengthen your elastin and collagen which can help prevent wrinkles or fine lines from appearing.

Whether you are new to skincare or a skincare pro, consider adding tea to your skincare routine to boost your skin’s health and get all the benefits associated with the different types of teas.

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Tea Health Benefits

8 Ways Tea is Better Than Coffee

March 31, 2016

Okay tea lovers, spread the word. I know it’s true, you know it’s true. But it’s time to show the world why tea should always be everyone’s beverage of choice. While coffee might have a cult following in many parts of the country (if not world), tea ultimately comes out on top in countless ways. From its proven health benefits to its hypnotizing aroma, it’s time to prove to those coffee hounds why tea beats coffee once and for all.

It’s hydrating.

Think about it: tea is just pure water with added flavor from all-natural herbs and plants. Sipping on some tea (hot or cold) will replenish your body’s fluids, leading to additional benefits like smoother skin and weight loss. And whereas you should limit your consumption of coffee to one or two cups a day, experts say you can drink up to FIVE cups of tea a day before you should think of cutting yourself off.

It won’t make you crash.

Although tea typically has less caffeine than coffee (which can be seen as a benefit in and of itself), it can actually help you sustain your energy longer because it won’t lead to any peaks or crashes. While both drinks will give you the boost you need to get your day started, coffee has a much larger effect as a depressant, meaning the high will last shorter and drop quicker. So if you want to sustain your energy throughout the day, tea is definitely the way to go.

It has tons of antioxidants.

All teas contain an abundance of natural antioxidants (way more than coffee), leaving you feeling and looking your best at all times. These antioxidants have been proven do things like boost the immune system, slow down the aging process, make your bones stronger and even prevent cancer.

It can reduce stress.

While the physical cause behind this remains unknown, it’s a well-known fact that tea has been known to have calming effects on the body. Studies have even shown decreased heart rates in participants simply from smelling the aromas from lavender and jasmine variations. This can explain why it is so often used cross-culturally as a bonding tool, also reflecting why some cultures have tea so deeply ingrained as part of their customs. Tea has also been found to work as an anti-depressant, meaning brewing a cup the next time you’re feeling a little low might just help boost your mood.

It’s less likely to stain your clothes (and teeth).

At least, in comparison to coffee. Tea is a naturally lighter shade than the dark brew of coffee, so there’s a reduced risk of staining your button down on the way to the office. And as long as you’re not drinking gallons of tea a day (but let’s face it, I wouldn’t blame you), your teeth are safe from the unwarranted side effects of discoloration that occur after a cup of joe. Tea even contains fluoride, which actually protects your teeth.

The flavor options are endless.

Because tea can be made out of so many different materials, there’s a substantive range in flavors that just doesn’t exist in a simple coffee bean. You have the option to go more subtle, with floral undertones or opt for a bolder brew that’s full of herbs and spices: the variations are honestly endless. And if you’re missing that creamy quality, it’s easy to turn your favorite teas in tea lattes as well.

It’s easier to make and less expensive.

Coffee requires all the grinding, filtering, brewing, etc. Who has that kind of time? With tea, all you need is some hot water and you’re good to go. And because coffee requires this extra labor, it usually costs way more. Look at the menu at any restaurant or cafe and the coffee can be almost double the cost of a simple, yet delicious cup of tea.

It’s better for the environment.

As if we don’t already have enough personal reasons to choose tea over coffee, there’s also environmental benefits to it too. Producing coffee puts more of a strain on our Earth’s resources than tea. For large-scale coffee-roasting operation, harmful compounds are emitted into the atmosphere, whereas tea processing requires little more than the manual labor to pick the leaves. Tea also weighs much less than coffee, so it requires less fuel for transport and export around the world. So technically, tea also has a lower carbon footprint than coffee.

Let us know what other ways tea ultimately wins in the battle between leaves and beans.

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Tea Health Benefits

Health Benefits of Tea

October 28, 2015

From chai to green, black to oolong, tea is a delicious and comforting brew that is chock full of healthy antioxidants and other goodies. Tea is a zero-calorie, hot or cold drink that has potential health benefits for you – incorporating a cup of tea or two in your daily life could only help you. True teas all come from the same plant, and are fermented at different rates to bring out unique flavors. These result in four main types of tea: black, oolong, green, and white tea.

Black tea is made from fermented leaves, which is why it has a dark black or red colors. Many flavors of tea fall under the black tea umbrella, such as darjeeling, earl gray, and chai. Although drinking dark brews, including coffee, is blamed for teeth staining, black tea could actually be great for your smile, perhaps due to the tannins found in the tea. The Tea Trade Health Research Association has funded studies that suggest that black tea can reduce plaque build-up and control bacteria. Additionally, a research study has shown that black tea could lower your risk of diabetes. In this study, people who had been drinking black tea on a long-term basis had a 70% lower chance of having or developing type 2 diabetes. Black tea could also boost your immune system since it contains antigens that can boost immune response, and tannins that are able to fight viruses. Lastly, since black tea has a lower amount of caffeine, it can increase blood flow to the brain without over-stimulating the heart – it won’t leave you jittery with a caffeine crash later. Definitely worth the switch over from your morning coffee!

Oolong is similar to black tea but is only partially oxidized. Like black tea, it can reduce some chronic health diseases like high cholesterol levels and heart disease. It has also been hailed as a weight management aide, supposedly due to a polyphenol compound found in it. Studies are still being done to prove the effectiveness of weight loss, but in one study, mice that were given polyphenols in addition to a fattening diet still lost overall weight and body fat. The same polyphenolic compounds have been attributed to the anti-cancer properties of oolong tea, since they can act as a chemo-preventative weapon against carcinogenic cells.

Green tea is made from leaves that are dried or heat-treated to prevent fermentation and oxidization. This process leaves it with more amounts of antioxidants than black tea, which combat free radicals in your system. These same antioxidants do wonders for your skin, and can reduce wrinkles and signs of aging. Like oolong, green tea can contribute to weight loss. It boosts your metabolism by suppressing your lipid metabolism, which reduces fatty accumulation. In a study done in Japan, mice that were fed green tea powder gained less weight and had less adipose tissue.

White tea leaves are picked when they’re very young – which makes them rare – and have a mild, delicate flavor, as well as the least amount of caffeine. It contains the same kinds of antioxidants as green tea, but in even greater quantity because they are the least processed out of all the teas. It contains fluoride, which keeps teeth strong and healthy, and possesses many of the same benefits as green tea because of their closeness with green tea. White tea is also a natural killer of bacteria and viruses due to its antioxidants that guard the immune system against many illnesses. White tea is also believed to improve bone density and strength.

So whether it’s a bold cup of black tea to kickstart your day or a soothing cup of white tea in the afternoon, incorporate tea into your daily routine for a more healthy and energizing lifestyle. Given the benefits of weight loss, bone health and cancer and diabetes prevention there’s no reason not to drink a cup of tea a day! It might even keep the doctor away!

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