Nowadays, cold brew is nearly as ubiquitous as iced coffee in both coffee shops and on grocery stores shelves in canned and bottled versions, too. Navigating the world of cold coffee can still be confusing, and no, they are not the same. Read on for everything you need to know about the difference between iced coffee and cold brew.
What is cold brew?
Cold brew is in some ways a misnomer. The more accurate term to describe what we know of as cold brew would be cold steep, or cold infusion, but those don’t have the same curb appeal. Even still, cold brew never truly goes through a process of brewing — which, when it comes to coffee, means mixing with boiling water. Instead, cold brew coffee is made by steeping coffee grounds in room temperature or cold water for many hours. It can be made in cold brew makers fitted with a mesh or filtered compartment for grounds, or in a large container where grounds mix freely with water before being strained out. Unlike brewed coffee made more quickly with boiling water, coffee grounds slowly release their flavors and essential oils over 12 to 24 hours. While cold brew has become synonymous with coffee, it is an infusion technique that has historically been used for tea to yield a more gentle, aromatic flavor profile.
What is iced coffee?
Iced coffee is made just like hot coffee, where grounds are brewed with hot water over a short period of time. Whether it’s through a drip coffee maker or a pour over, coffee grounds quickly bloom under hot boiling water. The result is coffee in minutes, compared to many hours. “At Dawn, we brew our iced coffee just like our hot coffee, but over ice,” says Jera Corbin, lead at Dawn Coffee, located in the Bode hotel in Nashville, TN. Since iced coffee is so easy to make, and it's gentle flavor, it’s the perfect canvas for trying out different coffee syrups or flavorful riffs like a Vietnamese-inspired coconut iced coffee.
Do cold brew and iced coffee taste different?
“Cold brew has a bolder flavor than iced coffee since the brewing process is longer whereas iced coffee is typically milder in taste,” says Corbin. Since cold brew yields a more intensely flavored coffee, Corbin suggests cutting it with a bit of water for a more balanced blend. It’s strong and rich with a velvety consistency whereas iced coffee can be a bit more thin. “In my experience, I’ve had more folks order cold brews black, or with no cream or sugar, while iced coffees are typically ordered with cream and sugar, " she says. “It all depends on how people like their coffee!”
Information:
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