Having kicked the iced coffee addiction into high gear this summer, I’m actively trying to find alternative options that involve less caffeine, sugar and whatever else they put in those drinks. It’s working, to a degree.
One of my biggest allies in the fight has been my Takeya Flash Chiller, which I use to make brewed iced tea. I freely admit that it was an impulse purchase. Shawn was getting his hair cut and I wandered down the hall to the David’s Tea to get an iced tea. I chatted with the girl who waited on me and was fascinated by the iced tea brewing process they used. She said I could purchase one of my own – I nodded appreciatively and paid for my drink.
But the thought stuck with me. I like cold drinks and I tend to go a bit off the rails with my calories and chemicals when I vow to stick just to water. I get bored with that and end up having a diet soda or juice – not great health options. I’ve tried cutting my juice with sparkling water and just drinking sparkling water, but neither option really worked.
So when Shawn finished his haircut, I asked him to come with me to check out the Flash Chiller and see what he thought. Surprisingly, he was on board. It was $50, though, so he made me promise that I would actually use it. And I have – a lot.
These days, I brew a pitcher on the weekend to use throughout the week. I take a glass with me in the morning and then often have one in the evening. Sometimes I go through two pitchers in a week and that’s just fine too. David’s offers a range of fantastic flavours and I like the process of making tea in my chiller. We have an IKEA brew pot too, which I use for hot tea or making iced chai tea a la Oh She Glows, but I like the Takeya one best. It’s also BPA-free, which is a big bonus for me.
I even lugged it with me to the cottage this summer – and wished I had brought more tea because I ran out after just two days. Sadly, there isn’t a David’s in cottage country.
So was it worth the cost? I think so. It’s easy-to-use and easy to clean. I also like how it’s tall and thin so it doesn’t take up a lot of space in the fridge. I am willing to pay a little more for an item if it’s something that I will get value out of (and actually use). In this case my Takeya Flash Chiller fits the bill. Using David’s Tea, however, does make this a decadent purchase. I have spent more on tea in the last few months than ever before and because it takes about 20g to brew a pitcher it is a significant investment.
But I’ve decided that if paying extra for fancy tea means that I’m not putting diet soda or sugar-laden juice in my body then I’m OK with that. And I am hopeful that over time I’ll figure out what varieties I like the best and which ones are the most cost-effective, so I’ll make better purchases.
Do you brew your own iced tea? What are some of your favourites? Do you use a home brew system or just a regular tea pot?
Thanks for sharing this great post about our Tea Maker. We're thrilled to hear that you're enjoying healthy sips of iced tea wherever you are.
I enjoy David's Tea – I'm liking their Organic Nettle and Organic Turmeric Snap, but I'd imagine you could use any loose leaf tea in it, can't you?
Hey Krista, You can find many wonderful infusions at the PEC Lavender Farm on Closson Road
Hi Chris! Yes, you could absolutely use any loose leaf tea – I just like the flavours at David's the best. Haven't tried the two you mentioned, but I tend towards fruity teas.
Henry, I love the Lavender Farm in PEC – amazing place. Did not know they had tea infusions. Will have to take a look. Thanks!
I am too cheap (and have no cupboard space) and just use a giant mason jar. I buy the loose leaf tea and put it in the jar with cold water and put it on the deck in the sun. It gets hot, does what it needs to do and then I strain it and put it in the fridge. Most of the tea from David's are yummy to nibble on once they rehydrate. Sometimes I feel ambitious and will make my own with fruit and herb and flavour bits. Reading what is in most of David's teas (and other companies), they are quite easy and cheap to make. I have a lot of the herbs, berries, plants, etc. growing in my garden and the forest around me. Brewing the teas and making popsicles is a fun treat too. Have you tried the tropical ones?
I love the tropical ones – and many others! Haven't made popsicles, but I really should. I've been making a lot of pops this summer. I wish I had the time/patience to make my own tea, but so far that hasn't happened. One day I will have to get ambitious!
Definitely cheaper options for making the iced tea, but I have had bad luck with tea infusers. I am just happy to have found one that works and that I like using! 🙂
I would love to make my own ice tea but how do you find the balance between bitter and strong. I like a sweeter teac cold like Nestea. Hot I love earl grey. But recently trid some new ones in a fair.. very yummy. So is there a recipe to follow?
Fio
No recipe. When I want sweeter, I choose a sweeter brew – strawberry shortcake or tropicalia are good ones from David's Tea. You can add sugar or agave syrup to taste. I love earl gray for hot too, but for cold there are some great fruity blends.