Facing the high temperatures of summer, in addition to staying at home with air conditioning, a refreshing cold drink is also a must. The cold brew tea trend that has swept from Taiwan to Hong Kong has successfully made its way onto the list of recommended summer beverages. Many people want to try making it themselves but are unsure which tea leaves to use. No need to worry, here are three essential types of tea leaves for making cold brew tea!

Recommendation 1: Taiwan Lugu frozen top oolong

Recommendation: *** (5 stars is the highest score)
Suggested steeping time: at least 6 hours

Those with some experience in tea know that Taiwan's Dong Ding Oolong, when properly fermented and roasted by skilled tea masters, has a rich aroma and a full-bodied flavor. It offers a smooth mouthfeel and a lingering aftertaste, balancing strength and gentleness. Making cold brew tea with authentic Dong Ding Oolong not only preserves the rich fragrance found in hot brewing, but also reduces the bitterness and astringency caused by the release of tannins and caffeine, resulting in a smoother taste.

However, due to the semi-spherical shape of Dong Ding Oolong, it requires a longer time to fully expand and release its flavor. Therefore, it is important to control the steeping time, and it is recommended to steep for at least 6 hours.

【Longding】mellow oolong

Traditional Lugu Dong Ding Oolong tea has a unique osmanthus fragrance, with a hint of ripe fruit aroma. Its scent is elegant, the flavor is sweet and rich, the texture is smooth, and the aftertaste is strong and lasting.

Price: HKD$590 / 150g

Recommendation 2: Huangzhixiang Phoenix Dancong

Recommendation: **** (5 stars is the highest score)
Suggested steeping time: 4 to 6 hours

The tea base of Phoenix Dan Cong is very suitable for making cold brew tea, as cold brewing does not destroy the amino acids in the tea leaves, allowing you to enjoy the fresh sweetness of the tea soup and the aroma of the leaves. The fragrance of Huang Zhi Xiang is rich, and even when cold brewed, it does not diminish the flavor and sweetness of the tea soup; instead, it adds a refreshing quality that is different from hot brewing. The leaf shape of Phoenix Dan Cong is strip-like, so the steeping time is shorter than that of ball-shaped oolong, with a recommended steeping time of 4 to 6 hours.

Huangzhixiangdancong

The medium-roasted Chaozhou Phoenix Dan Cong tea has a balanced and rich aroma; it features a mature floral fragrance and a prominent throat sensation, with a smooth mouthfeel and a noticeable sweet aftertaste.

Price: HKD$398 / 150g

Recommendation 3: Honey Orchid Phoenix Dancong

Recommendation: ***** (5 stars is full score)

Recommended soaking time: 4 to 6 hours

Many people who are not accustomed to drinking tea find it difficult to enjoy teas with a strong throat sensation or those that are highly roasted, as they perceive them to be too bitter and astringent. However, cold brew tea releases fewer bitter and astringent compounds during the steeping process, making it more palatable compared to hot brewed tea. The base of Mi Lan Xiang tea has a strong aroma, and during steeping, it also emits honey and fruity scents, allowing those who cannot tolerate bitterness or are new to tea to enjoy a tea that balances fragrance and flavor. As for the steeping time, it is recommended to steep for 4 to 6 hours; a shorter time will allow you to taste the honey and fruity notes of Mi Lan Dan Cong, while a longer steeping time will enable you to savor the flavors of the Dan Cong tea.

Honey orchid single bush

Medium-roasted Chaoshan Phoenix Dancong tea has a fruity honey tea aroma, a smooth taste and a long-lasting sweet aftertaste.

Price: HKD$380 / 150g

The above are the recommended tea leaves for making cold brew tea. No matter which tea cannon is used to make cold brew tea, the recommended tea to water ratio is 1:100, which means the dosage of 10 grams of tea: 1000 ml. Of course, this ratio can be adjusted slightly according to personal taste.

Take advantage of the summer heat and enjoy some refreshing iced tea!

Suggested reading: [The coolness of summer] Five steps to teach you how to make your own honey orchid single bush cold brew tea