Is it better to make tea with cold water?

December 5, 2025 •

4 min read

According to the Tea and Beverage Research Station, cold-brewed green tea can release over 148% more of certain beneficial catechins than hot-brewed tea. But is it better to make tea with cold water for every situation? The answer depends on your priorities, from flavor to caffeine content and health benefits.

Quick Summary

This guide compares brewing tea with cold water versus hot water, examining the impact on flavor, caffeine levels, and nutritional content. It outlines the specific advantages of cold brewing, such as a smoother taste and higher antioxidant retention, while acknowledging the quicker, more intense results of hot brewing.

Key Points

Smoother Flavor: Cold brewing extracts fewer bitter tannins and catechins, resulting in a naturally sweeter and smoother taste profile.
Lower Caffeine: Due to the lower water temperature, cold brew tea contains significantly less caffeine than hot-brewed tea, making it ideal for caffeine-sensitive individuals.
Higher Antioxidants: The gentle cold brewing process preserves more delicate antioxidants and Vitamin C, which can be damaged by high heat.
Longer Preparation: Cold brewing requires much longer steeping times (6-12 hours) compared to the minutes it takes for hot tea.
Versatility: Nearly any type of tea, from green and black to white and herbal, can be successfully cold-brewed to reveal new, subtle flavor notes.
Hydration: Cold brew tea is a refreshing and hydrating beverage, often eliminating the need for sweeteners and making it a healthy alternative to sugary drinks.

Hot Brew vs. Cold Brew: A Comparative Analysis

The method you choose for brewing tea, whether with hot or cold water, fundamentally alters the beverage's chemistry, taste, and caffeine content. While hot brewing is a rapid process, typically taking minutes, cold brewing is a slow, methodical technique that takes several hours. This time difference accounts for the varied characteristics of the final cup. Understanding these differences is key to determining which method is right for you.

The Science Behind Water Temperature

The chemistry of tea extraction is directly influenced by temperature. Hot water is a more aggressive solvent, quickly pulling tannins, catechins, and caffeine from the leaves. This rapid extraction results in a stronger, often more bitter or astringent flavor profile and a higher caffeine content. Conversely, cold water is a gentle solvent. It extracts compounds more slowly, releasing fewer bitter tannins and catechins, and significantly less caffeine. This slower process allows for the extraction of sweeter, more delicate flavor compounds, such as amino acids, which are more prevalent in a cold brew.

Brewing with Hot Water

For centuries, hot brewing has been the standard for preparing tea. It offers a quick, convenient way to enjoy a robust, aromatic beverage. The high temperature rapidly releases the full range of flavors and compounds, resulting in a complex and sometimes intense profile. However, if the water is too hot or the tea is steeped for too long, it can lead to an unpleasantly bitter taste. The proper temperature varies by tea type, with black teas requiring boiling water (around 100°C) and green or white teas needing cooler water (around 80°C) to prevent 'cooking' the delicate leaves. The process is highly dependent on timing and temperature to achieve a balanced flavor.

Brewing with Cold Water

Cold brewing, or cold steeping, involves immersing tea leaves in cold or room-temperature water and allowing it to infuse slowly in the refrigerator for several hours, typically 6 to 12 hours or overnight. This method produces a smoother, sweeter, and less bitter flavor profile. The slower extraction process highlights the tea's subtle flavors and natural sweetness, often eliminating the need for added sugar. It is an exceptionally forgiving method, as it is nearly impossible to over-steep the tea and create bitterness. A major benefit is the lower caffeine content, making it a great option for those who are caffeine-sensitive. Cold brewing also retains more antioxidants, including vitamin C, which can be damaged by heat.

Hot Brew vs. Cold Brew: A Comparison Table


Feature	Hot Brew Tea	Cold Brew Tea
Brewing Time	Short (2-5 minutes)	Long (6-12 hours)
Water Temperature	High (80-100°C)	Low (4-25°C)
Flavor Profile	Richer, more intense, can be bitter or astringent	Smoother, sweeter, less bitter and astringent
Caffeine Content	Higher	Lower
Tannin Release	High, contributing to bitterness	Low, reducing bitterness
Nutrient Retention	Antioxidants and Vitamin C can be degraded by heat	Preserves higher levels of antioxidants and Vitamin C
Health Effects	Can be stimulating due to higher caffeine	Calming due to higher L-theanine and lower caffeine

Which Method is Right for You?

The choice between hot and cold brewing depends entirely on your desired outcome and personal preferences.

Choose hot brewing if: you want a quick, warming beverage with a robust flavor and a higher caffeine kick. It is the traditional method for a reason and perfect for a classic cup of tea.
Choose cold brewing if: you are sensitive to caffeine, dislike bitterness, or want a naturally sweeter, smoother, and highly refreshing drink. This method is ideal for creating a delicate iced tea or a gentle, hydrating summer beverage.

Experimenting with both methods can be a rewarding way to experience the full potential of your favorite tea leaves, as the same tea can offer a completely different experience depending on the brewing temperature. For instance, a high-quality green tea that can turn bitter when hot-brewed might offer a surprisingly sweet, umami-rich flavor when cold-brewed.

Conclusion: The Best Tea is a Matter of Choice

When asking, "is it better to make tea with cold water?", the answer is not a simple yes or no. Instead, it is a nuanced choice based on desired flavor, caffeine intake, and time available. Cold brewing offers a smoother, naturally sweeter, and less caffeinated beverage with enhanced antioxidant retention, making it ideal for a gentle, refreshing sip. However, hot brewing remains the best option for a quick, warming, and more robustly flavored tea experience. Ultimately, neither method is inherently superior, and the best way to make your tea is the one that best suits your needs and palate at the moment.

: https://www.teamiblends.com/blogs/lifestyle/difference-tea-hot-cold

Frequently Asked Questions

Yes, cold brew tea typically has significantly less caffeine because caffeine dissolves more readily in hot water. The slow, cold brewing process naturally results in a lower caffeine concentration.

The steeping time for cold brew tea typically ranges from 6 to 12 hours in the refrigerator. The exact duration can vary depending on the type of tea and your desired strength.

Yes, almost any type of tea can be cold-brewed, including green, black, white, oolong, and herbal teas. The results, particularly the flavor profile, will vary based on the tea variety.

While both are healthy, cold brew tea retains more of certain heat-sensitive compounds like Vitamin C and antioxidants. For those seeking a lower-caffeine, less bitter beverage, cold brew is often considered a healthier choice.

Yes, cold brew tea tastes smoother and sweeter with less bitterness because tannins are not extracted as intensely as with hot water. Traditional iced tea is made by hot brewing and then chilling, which can trap more of the bitter compounds.

To make cold brew tea, add your loose-leaf tea or tea bags to a pitcher of cold, filtered water. Cover it and place it in the refrigerator for 6-12 hours. Strain the leaves when done and enjoy.

Sun tea, or sun-brewing, is a different method that uses the sun's warmth to accelerate steeping. However, it can reach temperatures that encourage bacterial growth. Cold brewing in the refrigerator is safer and more controlled.