How long should iced tea steep for optimal flavor?

For optimal flavor, iced tea should steep for about 12 minutes. This duration allows the tea leaves to fully release their flavors and essential oils, resulting in a well-balanced and aromatic beverage. Steeping for a shorter period, such as 5 or 8 minutes, may not extract enough flavor from the leaves, leading to a weak or underwhelming taste. On the other hand, steeping for too long, such as 15 minutes, can result in over-extraction, which may introduce bitter or astringent flavors that detract from the overall enjoyment of the tea. Therefore, 12 minutes strikes the right balance, ensuring a flavorful and refreshing iced tea experience.