Hi tea lovers! Today, let’s talk about the little secrets behind cold brew tea ratios. Cold brew is as convenient as it is delicious, and the secret to a great cup lies in the tea-to-water ratio. Different teas have different golden ratios, and even the exact same tea can taste slightly different depending on its processing, harvest season, or oxidation level. We’ve put together some practical reference ratios so you can easily brew the perfect cold brew at home!
Our Store's Testing: Cold Brew Tea Ratio
Below are the cold brew ratios we tested using room-temperature water at 28°C, with the cold-brewing method of putting the tea in the refrigerator for 8 hours after steeping. This method is simple and straightforward—prepare it right before bed and it’s ready to drink when you head out the next day, perfect for busy modern lifestyles!
| Tea Type | Shape | Tea-to-Water Ratio |
|---|---|---|
| Wenshan Pouchong Tea | Loose-leaf | 1:80 |
| High Mountain Oolong Tea | Globular | 1:100 |
| Dongding Oolong Tea | Globular | 1:110 |
| Tieguanyin | Globular | 1:120 |
| Red Oolong | Globular | 1:120 |
| Black Tea | Loose-leaf | 1:130 |
＊Taking High Mountain Oolong Tea as an example, this means 10g of tea leaves for every 1000ml of water.
Taiwan Tea Research and Extension Station - Optimal Cold Brew Time
If you are looking for an even higher standard of tea quality, you can refer to the cold-brewing method from the Taiwan Tea Research and Extension Station. This method uses 4°C chilled water, increases the tea leaf ratio, and reduces the cold-brewing time, which noticeably enhances the tea’s sweet aftertaste (hui gan) while effectively reducing caffeine and bitterness.
| Tea Type | Leaf Shape | Tea-to-Water Ratio | Cold Brew Time |
|---|---|---|---|
| Green Tea | Strip | 1:50 | 4 hours |
| Wenshan Pouchong Tea | Strip | 1:50 | 6 hours |
| High Mountain Tea | Ball | 1:50 | 8 hours |
| Dongding Oolong Tea | Ball | 1:50 | 6 hours |
| Iron Goddess (Tieguanyin) | Ball | 1:50 | 6 hours |
| Red Oolong | Ball | 1:50 | 10 hours |
| Black Tea | Strip | 1:50 | 10 hours |
There is no rigid, one-size-fits-all formula for cold-brewing tea—the most important thing is to experiment! Whether you follow our suggestions or the golden ratio from Taiwan’s Tea Research and Extension Station (TRES), adjusting it to your personal taste is what matters most. Next time, try cold-brewing your favorite tea leaves using the right ratio and enjoy a refreshing brew that’s uniquely yours!