Homemade iced teas, Mizusahi, Koridashi. The Art of Iced Tea

With the first rays of sunshine, tea reinvents itself to become your best ally for refreshment. Whether for healthy hydration upon waking, to accompany a summer meal, or for a delicious afternoon break, iced tea offers a wide range of flavors. At LUPICIA, we cultivate this art to satisfy even the most discerning palates.

Why choose "Homemade" iced tea?

The secret to exceptional iced tea lies in the quality and freshness of the leaves. Unlike often overly sweet, commercially produced drinks, homemade iced tea reveals the subtlety of natural aromas. By preparing your own blend with LUPICIA teas, you control the intensity and sweetness, and benefit from all the antioxidant properties of tea, while enjoying a beverage free of bitterness and bursting with flavor.

3 Brewing Techniques for Perfect Results

There are several ways to transform your favorite teas into thirst-quenching drinks. Here are our recommended methods:

• Cold Brewing (Mizudashi): The gentlest method. Place 10g of tea in 1 liter of filtered water in the refrigerator. Allow 3 to 5 hours for green/oolong teas and 8 to 10 hours for black teas. The result: a light brew, without bitterness and low in caffeine.
• Quick Hot Brewing: Ideal for those in a hurry. Brew your tea in a small amount of boiling water (more concentrated than usual) for a few minutes, then pour it directly over a large amount of ice. This technique enhances the aromas, perfect for accompanying your meals.
• Koridashi (Ice Brewing): For the ultimate experience. Place your tea leaves (preferably Sencha or Gyokuro) directly onto ice cubes and let them melt slowly at room temperature. This traditional Japanese method offers a concentration of umami and unparalleled smoothness.
  
  

Which teas should you choose for an iced tea tasting?

All our teas are suitable for iced teas, but some are particularly enhanced when served over ice:

• Flavored Oolong Teas: Our famous White Peach Oolong is a must-try, offering a velvety and fruity sweetness.
• Green and White Teas: White Tea with Mint provides an immediate and very pure sensation of freshness.
• Classic Black Teas: An iced Earl Grey, with its notes of bergamot, remains a timeless and invigorating classic.

What is Mizudashi? Much more than just iced tea.

The Japanese term Mizudashi (水出し) specifically refers to infusion with cold water. Very popular in Japan during the summer, this method does more than just refresh: it modifies the molecular structure of the beverage for a unique taste and therapeutic profile.

• A sublime taste: Cold water extracts less tannin and caffeine. The result is an incredibly smooth, bitterness-free brew where the umami (thanks to the amino acids) is fully expressed.
• Reduced caffeine content: Ideal for enjoying throughout the day or for those sensitive to caffeine, Mizudashi is a soothing beverage.

The health benefits of cold brewing

Preparing your tea with cold water isn't just about taste; it's also a wellness choice:

• Immune system boost: Cold brewing promotes the extraction of EGCs (Epigallocatechin gallate), powerful antioxidants that help fight infections and seasonal viruses.
• Blood sugar regulation: Mizudashi contains specific polysaccharides that help regulate blood sugar levels, making it a valuable ally in preventing diabetes and managing weight.
• Sports recovery: Thanks to its richness in minerals and its low astringency, it constitutes an excellent natural isotonic drink after exercise.

Which LUPICIA teas should you choose for your Mizudashi?

• For Umami and sweetness: Our Sencha teas are perfect for revealing intense vegetal notes without the sometimes overpowering seaweed aromas that can develop when chilled.
• For a touch of indulgence: White Peach Oolong or our blends of flavored black teas, which benefit beautifully from a long infusion in the refrigerator.

Koridashi: The "Luxury" method for premium teas

For your exceptional teas (such as our Sencha Kamo or Gyokuro Katsura), we recommend the Koridashi method:

• The principle: Place the tea leaves directly under or on top of pure ice cubes and let them melt slowly.
• The result: An ultra-slow extraction that highlights exceptional aromatic density and a lingering finish. It's the favorite preparation of purists for savoring the strength and sweetness of a great green tea without any harshness.

Quick Preparation Guide

1. Classic Mizudashi: 10g of tea / 1L of fresh water / 3 to 10 hours in the refrigerator depending on the type of tea.
2. Koridashi: 1 teaspoon of tea / 150g of ice cubes / 30 minutes.
3. Expert Tip: Always use filtered water for your ice cubes to avoid a chlorine taste and preserve the purity of the antioxidants.
4. For Perfect Ice Cubes: To avoid altering the taste of your tea, water is essential. Use filtered or mineral water, even for your ice cubes! Pure ice cubes prevent a chlorine taste and guarantee a perfect tasting experience down to the last drop.