We would like to introduce some traditional iced tea recipes. We are certain that they will enrich your green moments this summer season! You can brew Iced Japanese Tea with any of our teas available at Hibiki-an.

In Japan, we have been enjoying iced green tea for many years! This tradition is as unique to Japan as fine Japanese green tea, because Japan has been blessed with clean and pure water since old times. It is the perfect refreshing drink for a hot and humid summer day, which there are many of in Japan!
There are three different ways to brew Iced Gyokuro or Sencha. Each extracts the taste and constituents in a unique way. You can choose and enjoy brewing each way, considering the purpose or taste you like the best.

This brewing technique is a time consuming process, but provides the most noble taste and atmosphere, which is suitable for the highest grades of Gyokuro and Sencha. This brewing technique creates a finished tea that is low in Caffeine, since Caffeine is extracted best in hot water.
Preferred by high-class Japanese restaurants and hotels in Kyoto, this technique creates an exquisite atmosphere and a cooling sensation as drops of condensation cover the entire surface of the Kyusu.

• Place 8g / 0.28oz (1.5 tablespoons) of Gyokuro or Sencha tea leaves into the Kyusu (teapot).
• Fill the Kyusu with pieces of ice.
• Wait for the ice to thaw naturally at room temperature (do not heat the Kyusu).
• It is finished when the pieces of ice are fully thawed.
• Pour the tea from the Kyusu into each glass alternately little by little, so that the quantity and taste of the tea is equal in each glass.

You can brew Iced Gyokuro and Sencha with any of our Gyokuro and Sencha teas.

This brewing technique involves brewing the tea in hot water, then cooling it quickly by pouring the hot tea into a glass filled with pieces of ice.
Particularly in the case of Sencha, you can enjoy the refreshing and astringent taste that Sencha is well-known for, because this hot brewing technique extracts Catechin and Caffeine that are not extracted by brewing with ice or cold water. This way is also suitable when you wish to enjoy the healthful benefits of Catechin and Caffeine, such as when you would like to concentrate or have energy.
This way is suitable for middle and high grades of Gyokuro and Sencha.
The crackling "Pachi Pachi" sounds when hot tea is poured over ice creates a cool and relaxing atmosphere in summer.

• Place 8g / 0.28oz (1.5 tablespoons) of Gyokuro or Sencha tea leaves into the Kyusu (teapot).
• Pour 200ml (7.04fl oz) of 176F (80C) temperature of water into the Kyusu.
• Wait for 2 to 3 minutes. You'll want to brew the tea quite strongly because later the thawed ice will weaken the flavor.
• Pour tea from the Kyusu into each glass filled with pieces of ice to cool the tea quickly. Pour alternately little by little, so that the quantity and taste of the tea is equal in each glass.

You can brew Iced Gyokuro and Sencha with any of our Gyokuro and Sencha teas.

This brewing process is easy to do and creates tea which is easy to store and preserves well. You can enjoy the smooth and mellow taste of both Gyokuro and Sencha without any bitter notes because Caffeine is not extracted in cold water. So, children can also enjoy iced tea brewed by this method.
This way is suitable for all grades of Gyokuro and Sencha.
High grade Gyokuro or Sencha, brewed strongly (using twice the amount of tea leaves) by this method, should also become quite exquisite in flavor.

• Place 7 to 10g / 0.25 to 0.35 oz (1.5 to 2 tablespoons) of Gyokuro or Sencha tea leaves into the teapot (or large size Kyusu).
• Pour 500 to 1000ml (17.6 to 35.2fl oz) of cool water into the teapot (or large size Kyusu) and store in the refrigerator for 3 to 6 hours.
• In order to equalize the taste of the tea, shake the Kyusu horizontally before pouring the tea into each glass.

When you brew tea in this way, it is convenient to use a teapot for iced tea like the picture that is designed to brew iced tea. And Dobin and Large Kyusu are also convenient for iced tea brewed by cool water. They are available at Hibiki-an's Teapots / Cups category.
(You can visit the Iced Tea Pot page by clicking here; Iced Teapot, Teapot CLEAR - Filter Top, MIZUTAMA Dobin , Large Kyusu, T - Free)

You can see customer Reviews for Iced Tea Recipes:

You can brew Iced Gyokuro and Sencha with any of our Gyokuro and Sencha teas.

Sen no Rikyu (1522 - 1591) who created the Japanese Tea Ceremony, unfortunately did not include a recipe for Iced Matcha in his teachings. It was invented later by an instructor of the traditional Tea Ceremony. But this instructor had to enjoy it by himself in secret because only hot Matcha was allowed in the formal Tea Ceremony. Fortunately today we do not need to be secretive about enjoying delicious Iced Matcha!

• Cool the Matcha bowl in the refrigerator in advance, if possible (not essential).
• Sift the matcha in order to prevent lumps, so the flavor and texture will be smooth and mellow.
• Pour 2 Chashaku (traditional bamboo spoon) or 1 teaspoon of sifted Matcha into the Matcha bowl that has been cooled in advance.
• Pour 70ml (2.46fl oz) of 32 - 41F (0 - 5C) temperature water into the Matcha bowl and whisk with the Chasen (bamboo whisk) until the tea gets frothy. Matcha gets frothy when it is mixed with either cold 32F (0C) temperature or hot boiling water.
• Iced Matcha is also delicious served with milk and sugar as chilled Matcha au Lait.

Preparing Iced Matcha using a HIRA Chawan is another way to evoke a cooling atmosphere during the hot summer months. This flat, open and low style of Matcha bowl was developed by ancient tea masters to bring a cool atmosphere during the tea ceremony because tea ceremony rules do not allow for the preparation of Matcha using iced water. The unique shape of the HIRA Chawan creates a cool atmosphere even when Matcha is prepared with hot water. Try Iced Matcha prepared with a HIRA Chawan and experience the wisdom of ancient tea masters.

You can see customer Reviews for Iced Tea Recipes:

You can brew Iced Matcha with any of our Matcha teas.

Iced Houjicha is made from roasted green tea also known as Bancha.
Traditionally, tea farmers exhausted from working in hot summer weather would take a break and enjoy Iced Houjicha. First, they would boil water and tea in a kettle. Then they would cool it off by submerging the kettle of tea in a nearby brook. In fact, most everyone in Japan, not just farmers, traditionally enjoyed Iced Houjicha in the summer season. Houjicha hardly contains Caffeine but it does contain beneficial Catechin, so this is also suitable for children. Also Houjicha is a good affordable everyday tea. Iced Houjicha is a source of health for farmers in the hot summer season.
You can brew Iced Houjicha with all our Houjicha teas: Houjicha (Bancha), Houjicha Karigane, Organic Houjicha, and Teabag Houjicha.
There are two ways to make Iced Houjicha. If anything, we recommend you try the Traditional Japanese farmer's recipe at least once!

• Boil water in a large kettle (about 2 liters)
• Pour 1/2 cup of Houjicha tea leaves into the kettle and leave it.
• After cooling it a little, fully chill the tea in the refrigerator.

• Place 8g / 0.28oz (3 tablespoons) of Houjicha tea leaves into the Kyusu (teapot).
• Pour 200ml (7.04fl oz) of boiling temperature of water into the Kyusu.
• Wait for 1 minute. You'll want to brew the tea quite strongly because later the thawed ice will weaken the flavor.
• Pour tea from the Kyusu into each glass filled with pieces of ice to cool the tea quickly. Pour alternately little by little, so that the quantity and taste of the tea is equal in each glass.

You can see customer Reviews for Iced Tea Recipes:

You can brew Iced Houjicha with any of our Houjicha teas. Visit the Houjicha teas shopping page

Iced Genmaicha has a rich, nutty aroma of roasted and puffed brown rice, and the refreshing flavor of Sencha. The balanced flavor of Iced Genmaicha will enhance your green moment in summer. Genmaicha contains less Caffeine and provides beneficial Catechin, so this is also suitable for children. You can brew Iced Genmaicha with all our Genmaicha teas: Genmaicha, Genmaicha Matcha-iri, Organic Genmaicha Matcha-iri, and Teabag Genmaicha Matcha-iri.

This brewing method creates a stronger flavor and refreshing, astringent aroma than tea brewed by cool water. Also, this method is ideal for those who wish to enjoy the healthful benefits of Catechin contained in Sencha. The crackling "Pachi Pachi" sounds when hot tea is poured over ice creates a cool and relaxing atmosphere in summer.

• Place 8g / 0.28oz (1.5 tablespoons) of Genmaicha or Genmaicha Matcha-iri tea leaves into the Kyusu (teapot).
• Pour 200ml (7.04fl oz) of 176F (80C) temperature of water into the Kyusu.
• Wait for 2 to 3 minutes. You'll want to brew the tea quite strongly because later the thawed ice will weaken the flavor.
• Pour tea from the Kyusu into each glass filled with pieces of ice to cool the tea quickly. Pour alternately little by little, so that the quantity and taste of the tea is equal in each glass.

You can enjoy the smooth and mellow taste of Genmaicha without any bitter notes because Caffeine is not extracted in cold water. The flavor is more mellow than tea brewed in hot water and then cooled over ice.

• Place 7 to 10g / 0.25 to 0.35oz (1.5 to 2 tablespoons) of Genmaicha or Genmaicha Matcha-iri tea leaves into the teapot (or large size Kyusu).
• Pour 500 to 1000ml (17.6 to 35.2fl oz) of cool water into the teapot (or large size Kyusu) and store in the refrigerator for 2 to 6 hours.
• In order to equalize the taste of the tea, shake the Kyusu horizontally before pouring the tea into each glass.

You can brew Iced Genmaicha with any of our Genmaicha teas. Visit the Genmaicha teas shopping page

Have you tried Iced Tencha? Tencha teas are limited edition only available in this summer. Iced Tencha has a unique, excellent, and noble flavor which is different both from Iced Gyokuro and Matcha. The subtle aroma lingers in the mouth for a while. The unique flavor of Tencha has quietly been enjoyed only by Matcha manufacturers for many years.
You can prepare Iced Tencha using the same brewing method as Iced Gyokuro. There are three different ways to brew Iced Tencha, (1) brewing by ice, (2) brewing by hot water once and cooling quickly, and (3) brewing by cool water. Each brewing method creates a unique flavor.
Tencha is only half the weight of Gyokuro or Sencha tea leaves; it is 50% lighter. So, please put about two times (2x) the cubical content of Tencha tea leaves in Kyusu tea pot.

You can see customer Reviews for Iced Tea Recipes:

You can brew Iced Tencha with Tencha Pinnacle, Tencha Super Premium, and Tencha Premium. They are both limited edition only available in summer.

Iced Gyokuro and Sencha Using Konacha: Konacha brews quickly and flavorfully in about half the time as regular Gyokuro or Sencha tea leaves, so Konacha is perfect for Iced Gyokuro and Sencha. You can prepare Iced Gyokuro or Sencha in two ways, (1) Brewing by hot water once and cooling quickly, and (2) Brewing by cool water. The same two methods are used to make iced tea with regular Gyokuro and Sencha.

You can see customer Reviews for Iced Tea Recipes:

You can brew Iced Gyokuro and Sencha with our Gyokuro and Sencha Konacha teas.

If you have neither Kyusu nor teapot with a fine mesh filter, it is easy and convenient to prepare iced Japanese tea using Hibiki-an Teabags.

Using Hibiki-an tea bags, you can prepare iced Japanese tea as explained in the above recipes. Each individual tea bag from Hibiki-an contains 5 grams of tea leaves.

If you use Hibiki-an Teabags, you can prepare iced Japanese tea in a canteen or water bottle and bring it along to the office, the beach, or anywhere! It is not only healthy but also economy, and kind to environment.

• Place 1 to 3 individual tea bags into a canteen, depending on the size of the canteen (1 tea bag per 250 or 400ml (8.8 or 14.08fl oz) of water).
• Fill the canteen with water and pieces of ice.
• It will finish brewing in 3 to 6 hours.

You can see customer Reviews for Iced Tea Recipes:

You can brew Iced Japanese Tea with any of our Teabag items.

Here are some new iced tea recipes for you to enjoy. There are a wide variety from simple and spicy to tropical. You're sure to love the pure refreshing taste, which brings energy and hydration in hot weather. These drinks are simple to prepare as well; just follow the quick and easy recipes below. We hope you'll try iced green tea and enjoy a refreshing green moment this summer season!

(Iced Tea Recipes from Our Customers)
Our customers have posted their original iced tea recipes. You can view the recipes by clicking the Customer Review button below. And would you post your original Iced Tea Recipe? (Picture also can be posted.) It would be a great help for other customers.

The most important elements which create the taste and aroma of Japanese green tea are Catechin, Theanine (amino acid), and Caffeine.

1. Flavor and Features of Each Element

	Flavor	Water Temperature for Extraction	Healthy Benefits (*)	Related Japanese Tea
Catechin	refreshing aroma, astringent taste	extracted best at over 167 - 176F (75 - 80C)	removing free radicals, reducing cholesterol and fat, antibacterial and sterilizing	Much Catechin is found in tea leaves that are grown in bright sunlight. Sencha and Houjicha (Bancha) are rich in Catechin.
Theanine	mellow aroma, sweet taste	equally extracted at low and high temperatures	relaxes body, brain and nerves, restores mental balance, moderates the effects of Caffeine	Much Theanine is found in leaves of young tea sprouts or tea shaded from sunlight before harvest. Ichibancha (first pick of the year), Gyokuro, and Matcha are especially rich in Theanine.
Caffeine	mild bitter taste	extracted best at high temperatures	stimulates the central nervous system, increases energy and alertness	Caffeine is found in Sencha, Gyokuro, and Matcha. Houjicha has very little Caffeine.

(*) For more information, please visit Green Tea for Health page.

2. Different brewing methods create different flavors of tea
- Brewing tea leaves in hot water and cooling quickly creates a refreshing and astringent taste. This brewing method fully extracts the healthful benefits of Catechin and Caffeine. When you would like to concentrate or have energy, this method is best.
- Brewing tea leaves in cool water creates a smooth and mellow taste without bitter notes, because Caffeine is not extracted in cold water. Tea brewed by this method is suitable even for young children.

To prepare all kinds of iced tea, it is not necessary to purchase special tea ware for iced tea. It is only necessary to prepare all kinds of iced tea with usual tea ware. However, to prepare only iced tea brewed by cool water, it is more convenient to use Iced Teapot, Glass Teapot, Dobin, or Large Kyusu. Would you please take a look?