Nothing beats a refreshing cold coffee on a hot summer day. There is something about the low temperatures of these coffees that gives them a sweeter and well-blended taste. Both cold brew coffee and iced coffee have gained substantial popularity in the past ten years because of their delicious flavors.
It might be hard to tell the difference between them at first, but iced coffee and cold brew coffee are very different. Iced coffee is brewed with hot water, while cold brew coffee is brewed with cold water.
Both brewing methods use different grind sizes and brewing times. All of this results in two very different flavor profiles. While iced coffee and cold brew coffee are so different, choosing either one will result in a delicious drink you won’t regret.
What is Cold Brew Coffee?
Cold brew coffee received its name because this coffee is quite literally “cold brewed.” Cold brew coffee is a relatively new brewing method that results in a deliciously smooth chilled coffee.
The cold brewing method is quite different from the hot brewing method. The temperature difference requires cold brew coffee to have a significantly longer brewing time to fully extract the coffee ground’s flavors.
This brewing method can take anywhere from 12-20 hours to properly brew! Heat speeds up the coffee brewing process by helping coffee beans release molecules and oils that flavor coffee. Without heat to speed up the brewing process, we are at the mercy of linear time.
Cold brew coffee’s long brew time requires the coffee grounds to be extra coarse. Extra coarse coffee grounds prevent over-extraction of the coffee’s oils during this long time period. They are also easier to filter out of the coffee once they have finished brewing.
The coffee grounds used to brew cold brew coffee are usually allowed to float freely submerged in room temperature or chilled water and must be strained out once the coffee is ready to drink. This brewing method is like a French press.
By utilizing a low brewing temperature, certain molecules that make coffee bitter are not released by the coffee grounds as much as they would be while brewing hot. One of these molecules is called tannins.
Because tannins and other such molecules are not as prevalent in the finished cold brew coffee, it is much sweeter than hot brewed coffee. Cold brew coffee tends to have a mild and well-blended flavor while still retaining a strong coffee flavor.
Cold-brew coffee is usually much sweeter than hot-brewed coffee. It is also less bitter. The long and slow brewing process cold brew coffee endures gives it a well-rounded and pleasant taste that many enjoy.
How to Make Cold Brew Coffee?
Cold brew coffee is one of the easiest coffees to make because the long and heatless brewing process does most of the hard work. If cold brew coffee has soaked for the recommended amount of time, it is nearly impossible to under-extract.
It is also very difficult to over-extract cold brew coffee because it takes so long to brew in the first place. Cold brew coffee’s brewing methods naturally create the perfect balance between bitter and sweet, strong and acidic.
Cold brew coffee is also relatively simple to brew and requires no special equipment. It is almost as if cold brew coffee was made to be brewed at home! The best coffee-to-water ratio to use for cold brew coffee is 1:8. Be sure to use extra coarse ground coffee. Anything finer will lead to over-extraction.
It is okay to brew using room-temperature water, but I recommend using filtered water instead of tap water. This will greatly affect the outcome of your coffee. Combine the water and coffee in a large container (preferably one with a lid) and give them a little stir.
The coffee grounds will most likely sink to the bottom of the container. Place the container in your fridge or in any room-temperature place where it won’t be disturbed. Let it soak for at least 12 hours.
Cold brew coffee is easy to taste test while it is brewing. Don’t be afraid to try the coffee after 12 hours and continue to let it brew for several more hours if it is not strong enough. Cold brew coffee is kept for up to two weeks when using an airtight container and placed in the fridge.
Cold brew coffee is the perfect morning pick-me-up because it can be brewed in large batches the night before and simply served whenever you desire. What a time saver!
What is Iced Coffee?
Iced coffee is an umbrella term that refers to any hot brewed coffee that has been chilled and is served as a cold beverage. Despite what many people believe, iced coffee is not cold brew coffee.
Iced coffee is created using hot brewing methods. The utilization of heat during the brewing process gives iced coffee a completely different flavor profile from cold brew coffee.
Heat speeds up the brewing process by allowing certain molecules, such as tannins, to be released. These molecules aren’t always bitter, but they can easily lead to over-extracted coffee. Over-extraction happens when too many oils and molecules are released into the brewed coffee.
This may sound like over-extraction will make a strong and robust coffee, but this is not the case. Over-extracted coffee tastes extremely bitter and unpleasant. Over-extraction is an easy mistake to make when using the hot brewing method.
Hot brewing methods are able to unlock a sharper and more tangy coffee flavor than cold brewing methods can. All hot brewed coffees can be chilled to create an iced coffee and can be presented the same way that cold brews are, but the flavors will be surprisingly different.
Conclusion
Cold brew coffee and iced coffee are both delicious chilled caffeinated beverages. They store well and can be served with ease. It is no wonder they have risen to popularity so quickly.
Although they have many similarities, cold brew coffee and iced coffee have different brewing methods. These brewing methods give each drink a different, albeit delicious, flavor profile. There is no wrong choice between the two!