When the air temperature in Dubai and other UAE cities climbs to 45 °C, a usual hot drink no longer brings comfort. In such heat, iced tea becomes not only a pleasant choice but also a real necessity. The cold brew method is different from traditional brewing here, water, ice, time, and the exact ratio of tea leaves play the main role. Even a slight deviation changes the taste, aroma, and texture of the final drink.
The Basics Of Cold Brewing
Cold brewing requires patience. Tea leaves are infused in cool water for 8 to 12 hours, sometimes up to 16, but never more than 24. The standard ratio is 1 gram per 100 ml of water. This balance helps to achieve a smooth taste without bitterness. Using filtered, chlorine-free water improves clarity and enhances the natural sweetness of the tea.
Green, Oolong And Pu’er For Uae Climate
Green tea is refreshing and light, revealing herbal and slightly sweet notes when brewed cold. The ratio is 1 gram per 100 ml of water. Eight hours bring a mild taste, while twelve hours create more depth without losing purity. Oolong, popular in the Dubai summer, can be floral or mineral. Light Tie Guan Yin offers orchid accents, while darker Wuyi rock brings roasted tones. The best balance is 5–6 grams per 475 ml of water, infused for 8 to 16 hours. Pu’er turns surprisingly smooth in cold water. Five grams per 300 ml with a 12-hour infusion is ideal, though mature puer may steep longer, but never more than 24 hours.
Water And Ice Balance
To stay refreshed even under 45 °C, ice must be calculated correctly. Take 10–12 grams of tea per liter of water if you plan to add cubes. Two to three cubes per glass are enough to keep the drink chilled without diluting the flavor. A useful trick is to freeze cold brew itself and use those cubes, keeping the taste rich to the last sip.
Useful Tips
- Use coarse ground or whole leaves for a clean taste without bitterness.
- For green tea use 1 g per 100 ml, for oolong and pu’er 5–6 g per 300–475 ml.
- Store the drink in the refrigerator for 3–5 days, but it tastes best within the first hours.
- Never exceed 24 hours of brewing to maintain both safety and flavor.
Iced tea in the UAE summer is more than just an alternative to hot drinks. It’s a way to stay energized, refreshed, and enjoy the complexity of tea. Whether in Dubai or Abu Dhabi, at 45 °C this drink delivers lightness and balance, combining the softness of green, the minerality of oolong, and the depth of puer. To make the process easier, anyone can buy tea online or tea selections and start cold brewing at home.
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