The traditional Mizudashi approach to cold brew tea is beloved for its simplicity - combine tea leaves and cool water in a vessel, then steep for 6 to 12 hours in the fridge. But let's be real: sometimes you want delicious iced tea sooner than later! The good news is you can employ a few tricks to rapidly cold brew tea with the Mizudashi method in just 2 to 4 hours.
While steeping tea overnight extracts maximum complexity and intensity, shorter Mizudashi cold brewing still produces plenty of bright flavor. Follow these tips for satisfying iced tea without the long wait:
Use Finely Ground Tea Leaves The finer the tea leaves, the more rapidly flavor will infuse. Opt for a high quality tea finely ground to a powder. Japanese matcha works perfectly, as the leaves are milled into a fine powder. Otherwise, simply grind loose leaf tea leaves to a finer consistency in a spice grinder. More surface area means faster extraction.
Up the Tea-to-Water Ratio Compensate for the shorter steep time by using more tea leaves per ounce of water. Aim for at least 1 tablespoon of tea per cup of water. This higher concentration helps drive flavor in a shorter period.
Agitate and Taste Frequently
Every hour, give the mixture a good stir to circulate compounds. Taste occasionally to prevent over-steeping. Most tea will reach optimal flavor within 2 to 4 hours. Refrigerate your tea once the desired strength is reached.
Consider a Cold Brew Tea Bag For sheer convenience, you can contain the tea leaves in a large cold brew tea bag or infusion sack. Remove once your tea has reached the perfect potency. The contained leaves make this method tidy and easy.
Try Oolong or Black Tea Heartier oolong and black tea leaves tend to extract well over shorter time periods. Their robust flavor stands up beautifully to cold brewing in just a few hours.
No matter which tea you choose, this quicker Mizudashi method delivers delicious iced tea in time for both planned and impromptu gatherings. Keep a batch of cold brew tea concentrate on hand for sprucing up with fresh fruit, herbs, and other mix-ins. Iced tea bliss can be yours in no time!