Perfect 5-Step Method for Making Iced Tea at Home by Experts

With warm weather persisting, many people find themselves paying high prices for iced tea at cafes. However, experts have shared a simple 5-step method to make this refreshing drink at home, saving money and ensuring quality.

Choosing the Right Tea and Water

The experts at TWG Tea emphasized that selecting high-quality tea is crucial. Speaking to Express.co.uk, they said: "The secret to crafting the perfect iced tea lies in starting with high-quality tea and allowing the flavours to fully develop before chilling." They added: "Begin with exceptional tea, allow the flavours to develop fully, chill thoroughly and serve generously over ice. Enhance your iced tea with complementary fruits and botanicals that bring out the tea's delicate notes while adding a refreshing seasonal twist."

Magnus Jern, water researcher and co-founder of Tappwater, highlighted the importance of filtered water. He explained: "Filtered water isn't just better for you, it's better for your brew. Chlorine and limescale in tap water can dull the delicate flavours of tea and coffee. By removing these impurities, filtered water allows the true taste of your beans and leaves to shine through." He noted that a good cup of tea is 99% water, but warned against over-filtering, which can strip beneficial minerals and leave drinks tasting flat.

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The Perfect 5-Step Method

The tea experts at TWG shared the following steps for making iced tea at home:

1. Start by warming your teapot or filter by rinsing it with simmering water.
2. Double or triple the normal dosage of tea used to prepare hot tea (typically one heaping teaspoon, or a teabag) and insert into a tea filter or teapot.
3. Cover with simmering, not boiling, water.
4. Leave to infuse for around three to five minutes depending on desired strength.
5. Remove the tea leaves and pour the hot tea into heat-resistant glasses filled with large, solid ice cubes.

Following these steps ensures a robust flavour that doesn't get diluted by melting ice. Using large ice cubes slows melting, keeping the tea strong and refreshing.