Iced Coffee vs Cold Brew

If you frequent your local coffee shop, you’ve probably seen cold brew listed on the menu. Compared to the classic iced coffee, cold brew is newer to the scene—but its popularity is on the rise.

According to market research firm Statista, cold brew’s market value has tripled over the past five years and is projected to become a nearly billion-dollar industry by 2025.

 

During warmer weather months, many of us make the switch from hot coffee to cold coffee. Iced lattes, frappes, iced Americanos, and of course, cold brew and classic iced coffee. So, what’s the difference?

What Is Iced Coffee?

“Iced coffee” is a broad term that can encompass numerous different drinks. Simply put, iced coffee is coffee, in any form, served over ice. Technically, cold brew, flash brew, or even a pour-over on ice can be considered ice coffee. In many coffee shops, iced coffee means drip coffee that has been refrigerated or poured over ice.

What Is Cold Brew?

A square is a type of rectangle, but all rectangles can’t be categorized as squares; in much the same way, cold brew is one type of iced coffee, but not everything labeled as “iced coffee” can be considered cold brew. So yes, referring to cold brew as “iced coffee” is technically accurate, but cold brew is a specific category of iced coffee with strict rules around preparation. Things can get confusing fast, but it’s important to remember that the distinction is right there in the name: Cold brew is brewed cold. Cold brew is coffee that is brewed with cold water instead of hot water, over a much longer period of time.

The Technique

Even though cold brew is a more recent trend, the technique dates back centuries. One of the oldest documented records of cold brew coffee can be traced to Japan in the 1600s.

Unlike the standard coffee brewing method that extracts the flavor of the beans with hot water, cold brew is made exclusively with cold water. This process takes much longer than making hot coffee. Instead, cold brew sits in the fridge anywhere from 12 to 24 hours.

Then, the coffee grounds are strained, leaving you with a chilled brew that’s ready to drink. The process is pretty hands off but requires a lot of patience.

Sweet or bitter

Besides a different technique, cold brewing coffee also has a different flavor. The use of cold water highlights the naturally sweet and mild taste of the coffee beans. Making coffee with hot water, on the other hand, brings out some bitterness and acidity.

Another quality that makes cold brew distinct is the caffeine levels. Cold brew requires almost twice as much coffee grounds as regular coffee, so each sip gives you a much stronger buzz.

You could simply enjoy cold brew over ice just as you would iced coffee. However, many artisanal coffee shops up the ante by offering nitro cold brew. True to its name, this version infuses nitrogen gas into cold brew and is served from a tap. The method adds tons of tiny nitrogen bubbles to your brew, which adds some sweetness and creates a velvety and creamy texture—almost as if you added steamed milk.

The amount of coffee, time, and equipment required to make cold brew typically tacks on a premium. Some cups can cost upwards of $6, but coffee fanatics firmly believe that the flavor is worth the price.

So, can you taste the difference?

Source: allrecipes.com©

If iced mocha is your drink, then check out this recipe:

A Simple Iced Mocha – TUTORING YOU