How to Cold Brew White Peony (Pai Mu Tan) Organic
By Clipper Ship Tea Company | Published: 2026-11-01
Category: How-to Guides
Learn the cold brew white peony tea method: the right leaf-to-water ratio, fridge time, and a simple step-by-step process for smooth, melon-sweet iced tea.
Quick answer
Use about 1 gram of White Peony (Pai Mu Tan) Organic per 100 ml of cold filtered water (roughly 5–7 g per 1 liter) and steep it in the fridge for 6–8 hours. Strain and serve over ice for a pale, clean cup with melon and sweet butter notes.
Why cold brewing suits white peony
White peony is minimally processed and the least oxidized of teas, so a cold steep draws out its gentle melon and subtle fruit flavors without the astringency that hot water can pull from delicate leaves. The result is a soft, sweet brew that stays clear rather than cloudy.
Because cold water extracts more slowly, you get a smaller margin for error on time but a wider one on temperature. That makes cold brew forgiving for beginners, though it also means you should taste before straining rather than relying on a fixed clock.
Ratio and time adjustments
Start with the standard ratio above, then adjust to your taste. If you prefer a stronger iced tea for pouring over ice, use up to 8 g per liter; if you drink it neat, 5 g per liter is plenty. For a quicker steep, leave the jar on the counter for 2–3 hours, then move it to the fridge; the flavor will be lighter and more floral.
Cold steeped white tea keeps in the fridge for up to 3 days. Strain the leaves out before storing, as leaving them in will gradually make the tea bitter and dull its sweetness.
Step-by-step cold brew method
- Measure the leaves: Weigh 5–7 g of White Peony (Pai Mu Tan) Organic for every 1 liter of cold filtered water. If you don't have a scale, use about 2 heaping tablespoons per liter. A common mistake is guessing the leaf amount; too little gives a watery brew, so weigh if you can.
- Add cold water: Place the leaves in a clean glass jar or pitcher and pour the cold filtered water over them. Use filtered water rather than tap, as chlorine can mask the tea's delicate melon notes. Checkpoint: the water should be cold, not room temperature, for the cleanest flavor.
- Refrigerate and steep: Cover and refrigerate for 6–8 hours. Taste at 6 hours: if the flavor is still thin, give it another hour. Do not exceed 10 hours or the brew may turn dull and woody. Set a timer; over-steeping is the most common reason cold brew tastes flat.
- Strain and serve: Pour through a fine-mesh strainer or tea filter into a serving pitcher. Discard the spent leaves. Serve over ice, or chill further if desired. Strain before storing; leaving leaves in the fridge will make the tea bitter within a day.
- Store leftover tea: Keep strained tea covered in the fridge for up to 3 days. For the best flavor, drink it within 48 hours. Label the jar with the date so you don't lose track.
Product facts
- White Peony (Pai Mu Tan) Organic: White Peony (Pai Mu Tan) Organic is a Fujian white tea with tasting notes of melon, subtle fruit, and sweet butter. Those soft, sweet notes come through clearly in a cold steep, so you can enjoy it unsweetened over ice.
White Peony (Pai Mu Tan) Organic
