There’s nothing quite like an icy glass of cold brew tea on a warm summer afternoon. It’s light, refreshing, and energizing—without the crash. Unlike sugary drinks or acidic coffee, cold brew tea offers a clean, hydrating sip with just enough caffeine to lift your mood and keep you focused.
Now, imagine that cup filled with handpicked loose leaf tea from the Himalayan foothills of Nepal—grown at high elevation, naturally organic, and bursting with nuanced flavors.
At Nepali Tea Traders, we bring you teas that taste as vibrant and wild as the mountains they come from. And when cold brewed? They transform into an elegant, spa-like experience you can pour over ice.
Let’s explore why cold brew is more than a trend—why it’s a better way to enjoy tea year-round—and how to do it with the best Nepali green and white teas.
Why Cold Brew Tea Is Worth Making
Cold brewing tea isn’t just about flavor. It’s a mindful process—gentle, slow, and purposeful. It honors the leaves and invites their best qualities to emerge.
Cold Brew vs Iced Tea
Most iced tea is brewed hot, cooled down, and poured over ice. But that shock of heat can release more bitterness from tannins and degrade delicate flavor compounds. Cold brew uses cold water from the start, slowly extracting the tea’s essence over several hours.
Benefits of cold brew over iced tea:
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Smoother, softer flavor
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Retains more antioxidants
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Less astringent, no bitterness
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Lower caffeine release over time
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No need to sweeten—it’s naturally gentle
Cold Brew Tea Health Benefits
1. Powerful Antioxidants (Without the Bitterness)
Tea leaves, especially green and white teas, are rich in catechins, EGCG, and polyphenols—plant-based antioxidants that may help:
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Reduce inflammation
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Improve metabolism
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Support immune function
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Protect cells from oxidative stress
☕ A 2023 review in Nutrients found that cold steeping retains higher antioxidant activity compared to hot steeping, especially in green and white teas.
2. Gentle Caffeine, No Crash
Cold brewed green tea typically contains 30–50 mg of caffeine per 8 oz—enough for mental clarity without the jitters of coffee.
Cold extraction also slows the caffeine release, offering sustained energy.
3. Supports Digestion and Gut Health
Green tea contains L-theanine and tannins that support gut flora, while white tea is known for its anti-inflammatory effects. Cold brew is especially gentle on digestion and perfect for those sensitive to acidity.
🧠 Explore more: Does Green Tea Help with Digestion?
4. Boosts Hydration Naturally
Unlike caffeinated sodas or sweet drinks, cold brew tea hydrates without calories, sugar, or preservatives. It’s a perfect swap for anyone aiming to drink more water.
How to Make Cold Brew Tea with Loose Leaf
Tools You’ll Need:
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1 glass pitcher or mason jar (32–64 oz)
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Loose leaf tea (we recommend green or white from Nepal)
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Filtered water
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Fine mesh strainer or reusable tea filter bag
Step-by-Step Cold Brew Instructions
Step 1: Choose Your Tea
Start with high-quality loose leaf tea. You want full, unbroken leaves—not tea dust. We recommend:
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Pokhara Classic Organic Green Tea
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Spring White Buds White Tea
Step 2: Measure
Use 1 to 2 tablespoons of loose leaf tea per 8 oz of water. For a 32 oz pitcher, use 4–8 tablespoons.
Step 3: Add Cold, Filtered Water
Pour water over tea and gently stir or shake to saturate all leaves.
Step 4: Refrigerate
Cover and refrigerate for 6 to 12 hours. Longer steep = stronger brew.
⏱️ Our sweet spot: 8–10 hours for green tea, 6–8 hours for white tea.
Step 5: Strain
Use a mesh strainer, cheesecloth, or infuser bag to remove tea leaves.
Step 6: Serve Over Ice & Enjoy
Pour into glasses filled with ice. Garnish with citrus, mint, or berries.
Cold Brew Troubleshooting & Tips
| Problem | Fix |
|---|---|
| Tea too weak | Add more tea or steep longer |
| Tea too strong | Reduce steep time or dilute with cold water |
| Bitter taste | Use cooler water or switch to white tea |
| Cloudy tea | Use filtered water + don’t oversteep |
| Not enough flavor | Use fresh tea leaves (not old/stale) |
Best Nepali Teas for Cold Brewing
Pokhara Classic Organic Green Tea
This tea shines when cold brewed. Its bright, grassy notes mellow into cucumber and citrus with a silky finish.
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Origin: Ilam, Nepal (high elevation)
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Flavor (cold brew): Snap pea, cucumber, lemongrass, honeydew
Spring White Buds (NYT-Featured)
Handpicked early in the season, this tea is composed of soft white buds, rich in natural sweetness. Cold brewing brings out its delicate, floral complexity.
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Origin: Spring harvest, Ilam, Nepal
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Flavor (cold brew): Orchid, stone fruit, sugarcane, lily
5 Cold Brew Tea Recipes to Try This Summer
🍋 1. Citrus Mint Green Tea
Add lemon slices, orange peel, and fresh mint before cold steeping.
🍓 2. Berry White Tea
Toss in 2 sliced strawberries + a few blueberries with Spring White Buds.
🍍 3. Tropical Cold Brew
Add dried pineapple and a dash of coconut water for a beachy twist.
🍯 4. Honey Lemon Jasmine (using Pokhara)
Cold brew with jasmine flowers + drizzle of honey.
🫐 5. Lavender Blueberry Bliss
Cold brew white tea with a few dried lavender buds and muddled blueberries.
When to Enjoy Cold Brew Tea (Pairings & Rituals)
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Morning alternative to coffee → cold brew green tea energizes without the crash
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Picnic or hike hydration → lightweight, flavorful, and refreshing
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Midday focus break → supports concentration without overstimulation
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Evening wind-down → white tea cold brew is low in caffeine and soothing
Other Teas to Cold Brew from Nepal
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June Jasmine Green Tea Blend → jasmine blossoms + loose leaf green
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Makalu Mint Green Tea → spearmint + eucalyptus for summer cool
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Green Tea Collection → includes all greens + cold brew favorites
Related Blogs for Tea Lovers
Your Summer Cold Brew Starts Here
Want a better iced tea? Skip the store-bought bitterness and brew it yourself with clean, single-origin leaves from the Himalayas.
👉 Order Pokhara Classic Green Tea Now
👉 Try Spring White Buds Today
It’s refreshment that’s rooted in Nepal.
FAQ
Q: What’s the best loose leaf tea for cold brew?
A: Green and white teas work best. We recommend Pokhara Classic or Spring White Buds.
Q: Can I cold brew in a tea bag?
A: Loose leaf gives better flavor and quality. Tea bags often contain dust and fannings.
Q: How long does cold brew tea last?
A: Up to 3–4 days refrigerated in a sealed container.
Q: Can I re-steep cold brew tea leaves?
A: Yes! You can re-steep once for a milder second batch.
Q: What’s the caffeine content of cold brew tea?
A: Generally 30–50mg per 8 oz. Cold brew extracts caffeine more slowly than hot brew.