Tea Times

2026.07.02

As summer temperatures rise, a refreshing bottle of cold brew tea has become a refrigerator staple for many tea lovers. Compared to sugary bubble tea and bottled beverages, cold brewed tea is easy to prepare, naturally low in calories, and allows you to fully appreciate the tea's delicate aroma, smooth flavor, and natural sweetness. It has become one of the fastest-growing trends in healthy living and Taiwanese tea culture.

If you're making cold brew tea for the first time, you probably have questions like:

• What is cold brew tea?
• How do you make cold brew tea?
• What is the best cold brew tea ratio?
• Which tea is best for cold brewing?
• How long should you cold brew tea?
• How long does cold brew tea last?

In this complete Cold Brew Tea Guide, we'll explain everything you need to know—from the science behind cold brewing, step-by-step brewing instructions, the ideal tea-to-water ratio, and the best teas for cold brewing, to frequently asked questions. Whether you're a beginner or a tea enthusiast, you'll learn how to make café-quality cold brew tea at home with ease.

Best Teas for Cold Brew Tea

Not all teas perform the same when cold brewed. High-quality Taiwanese loose leaf teas are particularly well suited to this brewing method, as the slow extraction highlights their natural sweetness, floral aroma, and smooth finish.

1. Shanlinxi High Mountain Oolong (Light Roast)

Delicate floral notes with a long-lasting sweet aftertaste. Expertly crafted with a light roasting technique by HungCha Crown, this premium high mountain oolong preserves its fresh alpine character while enhancing its natural sweetness. It is widely regarded as one of the best Taiwanese teas for cold brewing during the summer.

2. Alishan Jin Xuan Oolong (Medium Roast)

Known for its naturally creamy, buttery mouthfeel, this Jin Xuan tea is finished with HungCha Crown's signature medium roast, bringing out warm notes of ripe fruit and roasted nuts. Even without sugar, it delivers an exceptionally smooth, rich, and comforting cold brew experience.

3. Lugu Dong Ding Oolong (Traditional Roast)

Rich roasted aroma with a full-bodied finish. Crafted using the traditional roasting techniques of Taiwan's renowned Lugu tea region, this tea develops distinctive charcoal-roasted and toasted rice notes when cold brewed. The liquor is mellow, deeply satisfying, and finishes with a powerful lingering sweetness, making it an excellent choice for those who enjoy bold tea flavors or pairing tea with rich meals.

4. Cuifeng Oolong Black Tea (Whole Leaf)

This unique tea combines the elegant character of high mountain oolong with the rich sweetness of black tea. Its whole leaves slowly unfurl during cold brewing, producing a crystal-clear, ruby-colored infusion with vibrant fruity notes, delicate honey sweetness, and an exceptionally smooth finish without bitterness.

5. Four Seasons Spring Tea (Si Ji Chun)

Light, fresh, and highly aromatic, Four Seasons Spring Tea offers crisp floral notes and an easy-drinking profile, making it an excellent everyday choice for cold brewing.

6. Oriental Beauty Oolong

Famous for its natural honey aroma and ripe fruit flavors, Oriental Beauty develops remarkable depth and complexity through slow cold extraction, creating a refreshing yet elegant cup.

7. Ruby Black Tea (Ruby 18)

Featuring distinctive hints of cinnamon, mint, and natural sweetness, Ruby 18 produces a rich, flavorful cold brew with a smooth body and virtually no bitterness.

Our Top Recommendations for Cold Brew Tea

If you're looking to enjoy the ultimate refreshing summer tea, HungCha Crown's Shanlinxi High Mountain Oolong, Alishan Jin Xuan Oolong, Lugu Dong Ding Oolong, and Cuifeng Oolong Black Tea are among the finest Taiwanese teas for cold brewing. Their exceptional sweetness, layered aromas, and smooth finish make them signature selections that every tea lover should experience.

HungCha Crown's In-House Taste Tests: Premium Whole Leaves Stay Sweet Much Longer

At HungCha Crown, our teas are crafted using carefully selected Taiwanese high mountain whole leaves and refined through four generations of traditional tea-making expertise. Because of their superior leaf quality and consistent craftsmanship, they continue to develop a clean, balanced flavor during extended cold brewing.

After extensive in-house tasting sessions, we've identified the ideal drinking window for each tea.

Alishan Jin Xuan Oolong & Shanlinxi High Mountain Oolong

Best Enjoyed: Up to 24 Hours

Our premium rolled high mountain oolong leaves slowly unfurl during refrigerated extraction, allowing their flavors to develop gradually. Even after 24 hours, Shanlinxi Oolong maintains its elegant alpine floral aroma, while Alishan Jin Xuan continues to express its signature creamy sweetness.

Rather than becoming bitter, the tea develops greater depth, a smoother mouthfeel, and a longer-lasting sweet finish.

Cuifeng Oolong Black Tea

Best Enjoyed: 16–17 Hours

Unlike rolled oolong, the whole leaves of Cuifeng Oolong Black Tea release their flavors more efficiently due to their carefully balanced oxidation.

Our tasting results found that 16 to 17 hours is the ideal brewing window, when its vibrant high mountain fruit notes and delicate honey sweetness reach perfect harmony. The tea liquor becomes brilliantly ruby-colored with a rich, naturally sweet finish and virtually no bitterness.

For the best tasting experience, we recommend enjoying it within this optimal time frame, when its complexity and elegance are at their peak.

Start a Healthier Office Routine with a Cup of Dayuling Oolong Tea

The greatest charm of cold brew tea lies in its simplicity. With just a few basic steps, it allows the natural aroma, sweetness, and refreshing character of Taiwanese tea leaves to be fully expressed.

You don't need complicated tea equipment or professional brewing skills. By simply mastering the right tea-to-water ratio, steeping time, and suitable tea selection, anyone can easily prepare a refreshing and healthy bottle of cold brew tea at home or in the office.

If you are looking for premium Taiwanese teas that are perfect for cold brewing, HungCha Crown's selected high mountain oolong teas, Jin Xuan oolong, Dong Ding oolong, and oolong black teas are excellent choices.

Whether you enjoy delicate floral notes, creamy milk-like aromas, natural honey sweetness, fresh mountain fragrances, or rich and mellow tea flavors, cold extraction allows each tea to reveal its purest character.

Start with a bottle of Dayuling Oolong Tea and bring a refreshing, healthy Taiwanese tea experience into your everyday summer routine.