The Absolute Best Type Of Tea For Unbeatable Iced Tea

Sipping a tall glass of iced tea is a luxury that's easy to enjoy as it's rich in health benefits. Both an excellent source of hydration and beneficial antioxidants, iced tea is easy to make as either a single-serving or in a batched format for entertaining large groups. With so many different types of tea and options for preparation, there is still one kind of tea that reigns supreme for making the absolute best iced tea. Originating in China, black tea is among the most widely consumed beverages in the world and the top tea to make this beloved chilled beverage.

The most notable aspect of black tea is its high level of tannin content. Tannins are what give black tea its distinctive color, flavor, and mouthfeel. This makes black tea the ideal type for iced tea, given that its flavor is strong enough not to be diluted or unfavorably altered by the presence of ice. There are a couple of different brewing methods for making iced tea which fall into either a hot or cold design. A hot brew is quicker, taking no more than five minutes to steep your tea in boiling water before pouring it over ice. On the other side, cold brewing takes hours of steeping in the fridge with the added benefit of avoiding the risk of over-steeping, which causes an unpleasant bitter taste to your tea. There are several things to consider when choosing the right type of tea for your drink.

For any cup of tea you make, it's worth thinking about the different factors that will affect the brewing process. Choosing black tea for the absolute best iced tea is one thing, but you should also note whether or not you want to brew a bagged or loose-leaf version, how much tea you intend to make, and whether or not you wish to sweeten your tea or add any number of ingredients to elevate your homemade brew. Using loose-leaf tea definitely takes your iced tea to the next level with a more concentrated flavor than bagged versions. Further, black tea itself has a variety of popular types, including Assam, Darjeeling, chai, Earl Grey, and more, all of which have tastes that range in difference from subtle to significant.

With a Southern-style sweet tea, you'll typically want to use bags of orange pekoe, brewed hot to allow the sugar to fully dissolve before pouring over ice. You'll also need a pinch of baking soda to clarify the mixture. For other styles, such as an Earl Grey sweet tea, you'll want to add lemon and mint to deepen the complexity of the bergamot flavor. Adding fresh fruits, syrups, or herbs are all fun ways to dress up your iced tea. For a refreshing beverage any day or time of year, starting with a strong, black tea as your base is the ultimate way to get the very best iced tea possible.