Is Cold Brew Tea Better for You? | Health Benefits of Cold Brew vs. Hot Brew Tea
Is cold brew tea healthier than hot brew tea? Actually, hot brew and cold brew tea share many of the same health benefits, but with slight differences. This all has to do with water temperature. When hot boiled water is poured over tea leaves, various nutrients, flavors, and aromas are quickly extracted with more intensity. On the other hand, cold brew tea is steeped over 2-12 hours in room temperature water, which gently extracts different nutrients and flavor profiles. Cold brew tea may take longer to make, but when you read the health benefits, you’ll agree that it’s worth the wait.
Health benefits of cold brew tea:
More antioxidants
Tea is known for antioxidants, the compounds that detoxify harmful chemicals in our body. All teas from the Camellia sinensis plant (e.g. green tea, oolong, black tea) have 10 times the antioxidants of most fruits and vegetables. Although hot brew tea is also rich in antioxidants, cold brew tea has a higher concentration of antioxidants.
Less caffeine
Hot water extracts more caffeine from tea leaves, which means cold brew tea is less caffeinated. Steeping time also affects the caffeine content of tea. With the slow infusion of cold brew, you're less likely to accidentally steep a super strong cup of tea (we've all been there). With cold brew tea, you can steep and sip all day without worrying about caffeine.
Less tannins
Tannins are naturally found in certain teas like black tea (also, red wine), which is why it can taste bitter and leave your mouth feeling dry afterwards. Cold brew tea extracts less tannins from tea leaves compared to hot brew tea. Less tannins in your tea results in a smoother body, lighter taste, and flavors that can feel sweeter and more refreshing, especially when iced.
The slower extraction of cold brew tea leads to a less caffeinated, smoother tea with more antioxidants. This doesn’t mean that cold brew tea is healthier or better than hot brew tea, but it does mean that you can enjoy a different experience from your favorite tea. No matter which brewing method you choose, you'll benefit from the countless health benefits of true tea.