When it gets hot, you can't do without a chilled caffeinated drink. But if there are no questions about the temperature of the espresso, then does it matter what to choose – cold brew or iced coffee? And why is one of them so much more expensive than the other? What is cold brew anyway?
Content What are cold brew and iced coffee?Cold brew vs. iced coffee: how they are madeCold brew vs. iced coffee: what they taste likeCold brew vs. iced coffee: how much caffeine do they haveCold brew vs. iced coffee: what they are and which one to choose
WomanEL shares the opinion of two coffee experts. Spoiler alert: it all comes down to brewing methods and taste.
What are cold brew and iced coffee?
The first thing you need to know about cold brew is what the name suggests: There’s no hot water involved. Instead, you steep coarsely ground coffee in room-temperature water for an extended period of time—usually 12 to 24 hours, says expert Jake Leonty, depending on your tastes and preferences. This method is known for producing a smoother-tasting drink, and it doesn’t require a coffee maker—just a grinder, some good-quality beans, and a little patience.
As for iced coffee, “it’s coffee brewed hot (e.g., drip, pour-over, espresso, French press, etc.), and the beauty of this method is that it can be made to your liking. After all, coffee of any temperature can be poured over ice,” says coffee expert Craig Dubitsky.
Just keep in mind that the temperature of the brew will determine how diluted it will be when you pour it over ice, but it's a very simple and customizable way to enjoy a frosty caffeine hit.
Cold Brew vs. Iced Coffee: How They're Made
Cold brew:
“Cold brew has evolved quite a bit over the last 25 years, so there are multiple ways to get the same result,” says Leonty. However, according to the expert, here’s the basic process:
“Use roughly 1:5.6 (coffee to water) coarsely ground coffee (like in a French press). Place it in a large paper filter. Place this filter in a large nylon strainer (to prevent small particles from getting into the drink). Fill the brewer with water and completely submerge the coffee beans in a room temperature water bath. We recommend massaging the beans so they are completely submerged in the water. Then let them steep for 12-24 hours, depending on your taste preferences. The longer you steep, the more extraction you get, which is not always a good thing.
After the required time, remove the coffee beans from the solution and strain them, as they will contain most of your drink.
After straining, dilute the concentrate by adding equal amounts of water and concentrate to make a 1:1 mixture. If you have access to a refractometer, I would mix it to 1.8-2.0 TDS (total dissolved solids) and serve with ice.”
Iced coffee:
According to Dubitsky, the instructions for making iced coffee are very simple:
- Brew coffee using your preferred method (drip, pour-over, French press).
- Cool slightly. Allow the brewed coffee to cool slightly, preferably to room temperature, but this is a matter of preference depending on how diluted you want your coffee. Also, feel free to speed up this process by placing the coffee in the refrigerator or freezer.
- Pour into glasses with ice. Fill a glass with ice and pour the brewed coffee into it for quick cooling.
- Add flavorings (optional). Add milk, cream, and/or sweeteners to taste to the cold coffee.
Leonti notes that the brewing process is also important, as the longer you steep your coffee in hot water, the more extract you’ll get. What does this mean? “For a perfect brew, you want the extract to be finished in less than six minutes.”
Cold brew vs. iced coffee: what do they taste like?
Iced coffee tends to have a more acidic taste than cold brew, Source: freepik.com
Cold brew:
“The taste of cold brew can be very sweet and round (i.e., with virtually no acidity). Which is a result of it being brewed without heat. It’s rich, thick, and concentrated,” explains Leonti.
Iced coffee:
“When you order iced coffee, it’s brewed hot and then poured over ice. The result is a more pronounced classic coffee flavor profile,” says Dubitsky. So what is this classic coffee flavor, you ask? Leonty describes iced coffee as often having “a flavor that tends to emphasize the roast character,” adding. You “can often detect acidity and a bitter aftertaste.”
Cold brew vs. iced coffee: how much caffeine do they have?
Experts say that cold brew coffee has a higher caffeine content than iced coffee, especially the kind you buy at your local coffee shop. This is due to the longer extraction time and higher concentration. For example, a tall iced coffee at Starbucks contains 135 mg of caffeine, while a cold brew of the same size contains 155 mg.
However, when making cold brew at home, you can dilute it as you wish and adjust the strength (and therefore the caffeine content) depending on your preferences.
Cold brew and iced coffee: what is it and which one to choose
Most coffee lovers will agree that cold brew is better. But ultimately, it comes down to your personal needs and preferences. Are you sensitive to caffeine? If so, regular iced coffee is the best choice. Are you short on time and making your coffee at home? Again, iced coffee is for you. Do you prefer a smooth, rich flavor and low acidity? Then cold brew is for you.
Bottom line: Familiarize yourself with the differences as described above and find the drink you like best.
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