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In the hot summer months, my favorite beverage (well, maybe second favorite, after cold beer) is iced tea. I learned to like it in Japan, and I drink it the Japanese way, without milk or sugar.
Oolong tea (or wulong tea) come from China, but in the summer you won't find a vending machine in Tokyo without its iced oolong tea bottles or cans.
Oolong tea is tea that is half fermented, so somewhere between black tea and green tea. Contrary to many other teas, you must pour boiling water on it. It's best to first pour some boiling water, then throw the water away and let it alone for a minute. Then pour boiling water again and leave to seep (? I'm suddenly finding that my English vocabulary regarding tea is very poor) for 2-3 minutes. Delicious hot or cold.
Hojicha is Japanese and may be harder to find, I'm not sure. Heat water in a pan, and when it's boiling put the tea leaves. Let it boil for one minute and then let it seep for 2-3 minutes. At least that's how I do it. A Japanese friend confirmed that it needs to be boiled for a moment. Also delicious hot or cold.
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