For some—barbecue enthusiasts, Southern belles, characters in John Grisham novels—there is no better cure for this languid stretch of summer than iced tea. Of course, sweet-as-pie Lipton isn’t the only route. Lately, those with a taste for ceremonial-grade matcha can find single-serve packets (by New York’s Chalait and Toronto’s Matcha Ninja) designed to be shaken into iced water. The Paris-based Kusmi Tea, a perennial model favorite, has also debuted seven blends with chilling in mind.
And then there are gems hailing from farther afield—in the case of these five picks, from the wild Jiri mountains of Korea, where “there are no highways, no bullet trains flying by,” says Stefen Ramirez, the deeply knowledgeable tea dealer at Brooklyn’s Atelier TD. This summer, he is hosting monthly tea tastings at Treatment by Lanshin, the nearby wellness studio founded by the acupuncturist and herbalist Sandra Lanshin Chiu, L.Ac. Together, they have selected a group of summer-appropriate coolers with an equal eye toward delicate flavors and inside-out benefits.
“Drinking something chilled is going to encourage the system to cool down just by the physical temperature alone,” says Chiu, who has long looked to the plant world for potent remedies. By zeroing in on the innate characteristics of a particular brew—hydrating wild pear; white lotus, which aids digestion—a glassful can offer more than refreshment, with properties that often dovetail with traditional Chinese medicine. While Ramirez’s single-origin teas (which by definition come from the Camellia sinensis or assamica plants) have antioxidant powers of their own, Chiu is especially drawn to his tisanes (herb-based varieties). “I focus a lot on treating dermatological conditions, which requires a very high-intensity herbal medicine that translates to ‘tastes disgusting,’ ” Chiu says with a laugh. “These are in line with what I prescribe medicinally, just in a lighter, more drinkable form.”
Here, the two share notes on the flavor profiles and health benefits of each tea. Because brewing temperatures and methods draw out different characteristics, Ramirez also offers suggestions for cold-brewing, chilling, or icing down your drink of choice. An afternoon on the porch is all you need.
Here, the two share notes on the flavor profiles and health benefits of each tea. Because brewing temperatures and methods draw out different characteristics, Ramirez also offers suggestions for cold-brewing, chilling, or icing down your drink of choice. An afternoon on the porch is all you need.
White Lotus
Tea tip: “Elegant floral scent and taste, with a slight savory aftertaste.” –Ramirez
Health benefits: “The white lotus twig and leaf is well respected in Chinese herbal medicine for its ability to cool excess heat in the body; we call it an herb that ‘clears summer heat.’ This can be helpful for skin rashes, irritability, headaches, heat stroke, excess thirst, and other types of symptoms that worsen during the hot days of summer. It’s also thought to improve digestive function in a way that supports weight loss.” –Chiu
Best served: Chilled
Artemisia
Tea tip: “Our artemisia is sourced from a shrub that grows in the wild and is picked once a year in early spring. It is very aromatic and slightly sweet with notes of pepper and mint, and an earthy aftertaste.” –Ramirez
Health benefits: “This herb is prized for its ability to help calm menstrual pain, regulate hormones and the menstrual cycle, resolve infertility issues, and invigorate circulation. All around, it’s a great support for women’s health.” –Chiu
Best served: Iced
Organic Sejak Green Tea
Tea tip: “This green tea has a slight sweet taste, with the first steeping having a delicious nutty baked flavor and being the most aromatic. The progressive steepings will be more floral.” – Ramirez
Health benefits: “Most know green tea for its incredible antioxidant profile and vitamins like C, A, and E. It’s also used in Chinese medicine to clear headaches, improve digestive function, reduce bloating, and hydrate.” –Chiu
Best served: Cold-brewed
Aromatic Quince
Tea tip: “Quince is a fruit closely related to apples and pears, and this has a refreshing tartness and a hint of these sweet fruits.” –Ramirez
Health benefit: “In Chinese medicine we say that the flavor of sour calms and balances the liver. A healthy, balanced liver translates to a calm nervous system and a person at ease. This tea offers a wonderful tartness that serves to relieve stress; it’s also great for resolving muscle cramping and powerfully invigorates sluggish circulation.” –Chiu
Best served: Iced
Wild Pear
Tea tip: “Our wild pear tea comes from fruits grown deep in the forest, which are much smaller than normal ones but are five times as potent. The tea produces a slight sweetness and a relaxing aroma.” –Ramirez
Health benefits: “A wonderful way to hydrate your system, pear is well known in herbal medicine for its ability to generate fluids in the body. It also supports healthy lungs and respiration, so it is good for boosting the immune system and relieving dry cough. I always recommend pears for supporting immune strength through the transition from summer to fall.” –Chiu
Best served: Chilled
Source: Vogue
