Tea isn’t just a drink; it’s a ritual, a potion, a doorway into another state of mind. Some people sip it for comfort, some for refreshment, and some (like Toad) because it whispers secrets from the leaves. However you take it, there’s more than one way to brew your cup.
Let’s dive into the three best methods: hot, iced, and cold brewed tea. Each has its own flavor, mood, and magic.
Hot Tea: The Classic Potion
The old-school way. The steaming cup. The witch’s cauldron (but smaller). Hot tea is cozy, aromatic, and ready in minutes.
Here’s how Toad makes it:
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Heat your water - not lava-hot unless you like bitter regrets. Different teas like different temps: green tea is delicate, black tea is bold, herbal tea can handle the full boil.
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Toss in 2 grams of loose leaves (or a bag if you must) per cup.
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Steep. Wait. Stare into the void for 3–5 minutes (depending on tea type).
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Strain, sip, and maybe add honey, milk, or lemon if you’re feeling fancy.
Hot tea = warmth + immediate gratification.
Iced Tea: The Cool Trickster
Sometimes you need tea that snaps you back into summer. That’s iced tea; refreshing, bright, and the perfect sidekick for fruit, herbs, or long afternoons pretending you have your life together.
How to brew it:
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Brew tea hot, but stronger than usual (double the amount of tea).
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Steep, strain, and let it cool just enough so you don’t shatter your glass.
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Pour it over ice. Watch the steam swirl away.
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Add lemon slices, fresh mint, or berries if you want a tea cocktail vibe.
Pro tip from Toad: Sweeten it before chilling, unless you like gritty sugar sludge at the bottom.
Cold Brew Tea: The Lazy Genius Move
Cold brew tea is smooth, mellow, and slightly smug. Why? Because it brews itself while you’re sleeping. No bitterness. No rush. Just pure leaf magic, extracted sloooowly in the fridge.
Here’s the sorcery:
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Add 1–2 teaspoons of loose tea per cup of cold water in a jar.
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Stick it in the fridge. Forget about it for 6–12 hours.
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Strain, pour over ice, and feel very proud of your foresight.
Cold brew lasts for up to three days in the fridge… if it isn’t mysteriously gone before then.
Which Brew Is For You?
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Hot tea = comfort, ritual, rainy days, spellcasting.
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Iced tea = refreshing, quick, “oh no it’s 90 degrees” solution.
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Cold brew = smooth, mellow, lazy brilliance.
The real answer? Try all three. Each way pulls something different out of the same leaves, like three personalities living in one cup.
So grab your favorite Toadstone Tea blend, heat the kettle, pile up the ice, or let the fridge work its slow magic. However you brew it, your tea is waiting to tell you its story.