Can You Make Cold Brew Coffee Using Tea Bags?

Quick answer

• Yes, you can technically make a cold brew-style beverage using coffee grounds in tea bags, but it’s not the ideal method for optimal flavor.
• This DIY approach can work in a pinch if you have the right tools and patience.
• The main challenges are achieving a good coffee-to-water ratio and ensuring even extraction.
• Expect a potentially weaker or less nuanced flavor profile compared to traditional cold brew.
• Proper steeping time is crucial; too short will be weak, too long can be bitter.
• For the best results, consider dedicated cold brew makers or French presses.

Who this is for

• Home brewers who are curious about making cold brew with limited equipment.
• Coffee enthusiasts looking for a simple, no-fuss method to experiment with.
• Anyone who has coffee grounds and tea bags on hand and wants to try a new brewing technique.

What to check first

Brewer type and filter type

Your “brewer” in this case will be whatever container you use to steep your coffee, and your “filter” will be the tea bag itself.

• Container: A large glass jar, pitcher, or even a French press can work. Ensure it’s clean and has a lid or can be covered.
• Tea Bags: You’ll need empty, unbleached tea bags. These are readily available online or at some specialty kitchen stores. Avoid bags that are too small or have a very fine mesh, as they might not allow for adequate water flow around the coffee grounds.

Your steeping container can be a large glass jar with a lid. Just ensure it’s clean and ready for brewing.

For this DIY method, you’ll need empty, unbleached tea bags. These are readily available online and are perfect for holding your coffee grounds.

Water quality and temperature

The water you use significantly impacts the final taste of your cold brew.

• Quality: Filtered water is highly recommended. Tap water can contain minerals and chlorine that impart off-flavors.
• Temperature: For cold brew, you’ll use cold or room-temperature water. This is the defining characteristic that leads to a less acidic, smoother taste. Aim for water that feels cool to the touch, around 60-70°F.

Grind size and coffee freshness

These are critical for proper extraction.

• Grind Size: For cold brew, a coarse grind is essential. It should resemble breadcrumbs or coarse sea salt. Too fine a grind will over-extract, leading to bitterness, and can clog your tea bag.
• Freshness: Use freshly roasted coffee beans, ground just before brewing. Stale coffee will result in a dull, lifeless cold brew, regardless of your method.

Coffee-to-water ratio

Getting this right is key to a balanced brew.

• General Guideline: A common starting point for cold brew is a 1:4 to 1:8 ratio of coffee to water by weight. For example, 1 part coffee to 4 parts water for a concentrate, or 1 part coffee to 8 parts water for a ready-to-drink strength.
• Adjusting: Since you’re using tea bags, you might need to experiment. Start with a ratio that seems manageable for the size of your tea bags and container. It’s easier to dilute a concentrate than to fix an under-extracted, weak brew.

Cleanliness/descale status

A clean brewing environment is paramount.

• Brewer: Ensure your jar or pitcher is thoroughly washed and rinsed. Any residual oils from previous brews can turn rancid and affect the flavor.
• Tea Bags: Use new, clean tea bags. Old or dirty bags can impart unwanted tastes.
• Equipment: If using a French press, make sure the plunger and beaker are clean.

Step-by-step (brew workflow)

1. Prepare your coffee: Measure your whole coffee beans and grind them coarsely. A burr grinder is best for consistency.

• What “good” looks like: Coffee grounds resemble coarse sea salt or breadcrumbs.
• Common mistake: Using a blade grinder that produces an uneven mix of fine and coarse particles. Avoid this by grinding in short pulses and shaking the grinder between pulses for more uniformity.

2. Fill the tea bags: Carefully spoon your coarsely ground coffee into the empty tea bags. Don’t overfill them, as this can prevent proper water circulation.

• What “good” looks like: Tea bags are about half to two-thirds full, allowing room for the grounds to expand.
• Common mistake: Stuffing the tea bags too full. This will create a barrier to water penetration, leading to uneven extraction. Fill them loosely and evenly.

3. Seal the tea bags: Fold or tie the tops of the tea bags securely to prevent grounds from escaping during steeping.

• What “good” looks like: A tightly sealed bag that won’t leak coffee grounds into your brew.
• Common mistake: Not sealing the bag properly. This will result in a gritty cold brew and a weaker flavor.

4. Prepare your steeping container: Choose a clean glass jar or pitcher.

• What “good” looks like: A spotless container ready for brewing.
• Common mistake: Using a dirty container. This can introduce off-flavors and reduce the freshness of your brew.

5. Add tea bags to the container: Place your filled tea bags into the bottom of your chosen container.

• What “good” looks like: The tea bags are resting at the bottom, ready to be submerged.
• Common mistake: Letting the tea bags float or clump together. This can lead to uneven saturation.

6. Add water: Pour cold or room-temperature filtered water over the tea bags, ensuring they are fully submerged. Use your desired coffee-to-water ratio.

• What “good” looks like: All tea bags are completely covered by water, with enough room for stirring if needed.
• Common mistake: Not using enough water to fully submerge the bags. This will result in under-extracted coffee.

7. Gently stir (optional but recommended): If the tea bags are floating, gently press them down or give the mixture a very brief stir to ensure all grounds are saturated.

• What “good” looks like: The tea bags are submerged, and the grounds appear wet throughout.
• Common mistake: Vigorous stirring, which can agitate fine particles and lead to a cloudy or bitter brew.

8. Cover and steep: Cover the container tightly and place it in the refrigerator.

• What “good” looks like: A sealed container preventing odors from entering or escaping, and protecting the brew from light.
• Common mistake: Leaving the container uncovered. This can lead to oxidation and absorption of fridge odors.

9. Steep for 12-24 hours: The steeping time is crucial for flavor development. Longer steeping generally results in a stronger brew.

• What “good” looks like: The water has taken on a deep brown color, and the aroma of coffee is present.
• Common mistake: Steeping for too short a time (under 12 hours) or too long (over 24 hours). Too short yields weak coffee; too long can lead to bitterness.

10. Remove tea bags: Carefully lift the tea bags out of the brewed coffee.

• What “good” looks like: The tea bags are removed cleanly, with minimal dripping.
• Common mistake: Squeezing the tea bags. This releases bitter compounds and sediment into your brew.

11. Serve: Pour the cold brew over ice. You can dilute it with water or milk to your preferred strength.

• What “good” looks like: A smooth, rich, and refreshing beverage.
• Common mistake: Not tasting and adjusting. Cold brew can be strong; dilute it to your liking.

Common mistakes (and what happens if you ignore them)

Mistake	What it causes	Fix
Using pre-ground coffee	Weak, stale flavor; potential over-extraction	Grind fresh beans just before brewing.
Using a fine grind	Bitter, muddy coffee; clogged tea bags	Use a coarse grind, similar to sea salt.
Overfilling tea bags	Uneven extraction, weak brew	Fill bags loosely, about half to two-thirds full.
Not sealing tea bags properly	Gritty coffee in the brew, lost flavor	Fold or tie bags securely.
Squeezing tea bags	Bitter taste, cloudy liquid	Gently lift bags out without squeezing.
Under-steeping (less than 12 hours)	Weak, watery, underdeveloped flavor	Steep for at least 12 hours, up to 24.
Over-steeping (more than 24 hours)	Bitter, harsh, overly strong flavor	Adhere to the 12-24 hour window.
Using unfiltered tap water	Off-flavors, metallic or chemical notes	Use filtered or spring water for a cleaner taste.
Not cleaning the steeping container	Rancid oils, stale flavors	Wash and rinse the container thoroughly before each use.
Not fully submerging tea bags	Inconsistent extraction, weak spots	Ensure all tea bags and grounds are covered by water.
Using old or damaged tea bags	Leaking grounds, off-flavors	Use new, clean, and intact empty tea bags.

Decision rules (simple if/then)

• If your cold brew tastes bitter, then you likely over-steeped or used too fine a grind because these factors extract undesirable compounds.
• If your cold brew tastes weak and watery, then you probably under-steeped or used too little coffee because insufficient time or coffee means less flavor extraction.
• If you see coffee grounds in your final drink, then your tea bags were not sealed properly or were of poor quality because grounds escaped during steeping.
• If the aroma is dull and uninviting, then the coffee beans were likely stale or not freshly ground because freshness is key to a vibrant coffee scent.
• If the flavor is flat and lacks complexity, then the water quality might be an issue or the steeping temperature was too high because pure water and cold temperatures are essential for cold brew’s smooth profile.
• If your tea bags are difficult to remove without tearing, then you may have overfilled them or used a bag that is too small because ample space is needed for expansion and easy removal.
• If you want a stronger concentrate, then use a higher coffee-to-water ratio (e.g., 1:4) and steep for the full 24 hours because more coffee and longer time yield a more concentrated brew.
• If you prefer a ready-to-drink strength, then use a lower coffee-to-water ratio (e.g., 1:8) and consider steeping closer to 12-16 hours because less coffee and shorter times result in a less concentrated, more diluted final product.
• If your cold brew has a “sour” taste, it could be a sign of under-extraction or using coffee that is naturally acidic, so try steeping longer or using a coffee with a lower acidity profile.
• If you notice a film or oil on the surface, it might be from old equipment or low-quality beans, so ensure all brewing tools are clean and consider trying a different coffee.

FAQ

Can I use regular tea bags filled with coffee grounds?

Yes, you can use empty, unbleached tea bags specifically designed for filling with loose leaf tea or coffee. Regular, pre-filled tea bags are not suitable for making cold brew coffee.

How much coffee should I put in each tea bag?

A good starting point is to fill the tea bag about half to two-thirds full. This allows the grounds to expand and ensures adequate water circulation. Avoid overfilling, as it can lead to uneven extraction.

What is the best type of coffee for this method?

Medium to dark roasts generally work well for cold brew, as they tend to have lower acidity and richer, chocolatey notes. However, you can experiment with different roasts and origins to find what you prefer.

How long should I steep the coffee in the tea bags?

The ideal steeping time is typically between 12 and 24 hours. Shorter times will result in a weaker brew, while longer times can lead to bitterness. Refrigeration is recommended during this period.

Will this method produce a strong cold brew concentrate?

It can, but it requires careful attention to the coffee-to-water ratio and steeping time. Using a higher ratio (e.g., 1:4 coffee to water) and steeping for closer to 24 hours will yield a more concentrated result that can be diluted later.

What if I don’t have empty tea bags?

If you don’t have empty tea bags, you can use a large fine-mesh sieve lined with cheesecloth or a dedicated cold brew filter bag. You can also use a French press, which is a more traditional and often more effective method for making cold brew.

Can I reuse the coffee grounds from the tea bags?

It’s generally not recommended to reuse coffee grounds for cold brew, especially if you’re using the tea bag method. The first brew will have extracted most of the desirable flavors and oils, leaving little for a second extraction.

How do I store the cold brew once it’s made?

Store your finished cold brew in an airtight container in the refrigerator. It should stay fresh for up to a week to 10 days.

What this page does NOT cover (and where to go next)

• Specific brand recommendations for coffee beans or empty tea bags.
• Detailed chemical breakdowns of coffee extraction.
• Advanced techniques for cold brew concentrate stabilization.
• Troubleshooting for specific coffee maker models.
• Recipes for cold brew cocktails or other coffee-based beverages.