Cold Brewing Herbal Tea — A Guide to the Slower Method

Hot water is the default. But it is not the only way.

Cold brewing — steeping tea in cold or room-temperature water over several hours — produces a cup that is fundamentally different in character. Gentler, sweeter, less astringent. And for herbal blends, it unlocks flavours that heat can actually suppress.

Why Cold Brew Works for Herbal Blends

Hot water extracts quickly and indiscriminately — it pulls both the desirable compounds and the harsh ones simultaneously. This is why over-steeped herbal tea can turn bitter.

Cold water is selective. It extracts slowly, drawing out sweetness and subtle aromatic compounds while leaving behind much of the bitterness and tannins. The result is a cleaner, rounder cup.

Tulsi, chamomile, liquorice, and lavender all respond particularly well to cold brewing. Their natural sweetness comes forward in a way hot water rarely achieves.

The Method

What you need:

• A glass jar or pitcher

• Vayu herbal loose leaf or pyramid bags

• Cold filtered water

• A refrigerator and patience

The ratio:

• Loose leaf: 1.5 teaspoons per 250ml of water

• Pyramid bags: 1 bag per 300ml of water

The steps:

1. Add the tea to cold water. Do not use hot water first — this changes the extraction entirely.

2. Stir once to ensure the leaves or bag are fully submerged.

3. Cover and refrigerate for 6–8 hours, or overnight.

4. Strain (if loose leaf) or remove the bag, and serve over ice.

Which Blends Work Best

• Tulsi with Lavender and Chamomile — becomes almost silky when cold brewed. The floral notes sit cleanly without the heat-induced sharpness.

• Liquorice and Ginger — the natural sweetness of liquorice becomes the dominant note. Warming in a different way — from the inside out, even when cold.

• Turmeric and Fennel — produces a golden, lightly spiced cold brew that works well with a squeeze of lime.

• Ashwagandha and Moringa — earthy and clean. A good morning cold brew that delivers calm energy without caffeine.

Storing and Serving

Cold brewed herbal tea keeps in the refrigerator for up to 48 hours. The flavour actually improves slightly by the second day as the extraction continues to settle.

Serve over ice. Add honey if desired. Or drink it straight — the flavour is complete without additions.