When it's hot outside, make it cool inside with an awesome glass of iced tea. The tea you choose is up to you, but generally leaves and flowers has a cooling effect, and roots and barks have a more warming effect inside our bodies. So during the summer I love to drink my herbs as iced teas that provide nutritional (vitamins, minerals, protein, etc.) and medicinal support as well as lowering my internal heat.
Black, Green, Red, White, Oolong & Herbal teas can all be used to make iced tea. As far as which teas can be made into awesome iced teas- it depends on your flavor preferences. Fruity or flavored teas taste delicious, or you can use a tea like Assam (classic black tea) and add sweetener if desired. Most of our tea blends taste awesome iced, so you can't go wrong!
During the heat of summer, I drink Guayusa blended with Chrysanthemum flowers for a refreshing tea I drink all day. It keeps me hydrated, alert, cool and tastes great.
How to Brew Iced Loose Leaf Tea
Boil water in a kettle or pan – use more than what you would need for your tea pot.
Add your loose leaf tea into a tea ball, disposable tea bag or diffuser. Use 1-2 tablespoons or more of tea, brew it stronger than you would normally as the ice will dilute the tea.
Place the tea ball into a tea pot or other container to brew your tea.
Add hot water into the tea pot and brew for 5-10 minutes.
While tea is brewing, get your glass filled with ice ready.
Pour brewed hot tea into your glass. Add fresh lemon, orange, mint sprig or other garnish if desired. Add sweetener to taste- honey, agave nectar, Stevia or fruit juice. Leftover tea can be refrigerated for up to 2-3 days.
How to Brew Sun Tea
Use a clear, clean, large glass container or jar.
Add tea into a tea ball, disposable tea bag or diffuser. Use 1-2 tablespoons or more of tea, brew it stronger than you would normally as the ice will dilute the tea.
Place the tea ball into your glass container, fill with water.
Add fresh fruit, mint sprigs or other aromatic, tasty herbs (Lemon Balm, Lemongrass, Pineapple Sage) if desired.
Place your container in the sun for 4-6 hours or more until color changes. The longer you brew, the stronger the tea will be.
After brewing in the sun, tea is ready to drink, as desired. Sun tea can be refrigerated for up to 2-3 days. Add fresh lemon, orange, mint sprig or other garnish if desired. Add sweetener to taste- honey, agave nectar, stevia or fruit juice. Sun tea can be refrigerated for up to 2-3 days.
Enjoy your teas! Serve at family functions, picnics or anytime you need a refreshing, cooling delicious summertime drink.