Summer is not very far and so does the scorching heat and harsh weather. Hence, the time is coming for delectable cold coffee. If you are a coffee buff, then you have been certainly relishing your hot coffee sessions.
However, summer and cold coffee are synonymous. Nonetheless, many people have confusion between iced coffee and cold brew. Are you one of them? Then, the post is for you, as it is about iced coffee vs cold brew. So, why are we waiting for? Let us dive into the discussion.
Iced Coffee vs Cold Brew – Difference
When it comes to iced coffee, you can refer to any sort of common brew method. Once you cool down the cup of your hot coffee, start pouring over ice. That means there is no complexity involved in the process.
On the other hand, the cold brew preparation is all about steeping correctly ground coffee. The process calls for water at room temperature for more than 12 hours. Then, one must filter out the coffee grounds to have a cup of coffee without any residue.
However, cold brew does not need any heat for preparation, unlike regular brewing. Definitely, time is the key to the process when it comes to extracting caffeine, sugars, and oils from the coffee.
What Is Iced Coffee?
The “iced coffee” term is self-explanatory. It is commonly brewed coffee added with ice. The preparation of this variation does not need too much time.
One needs to brew regular coffee and allow it to cool followed by adding ice. Definitely, this strategy lowers the density of the coffee. However, it is possible to prevent a cup of delectable coffee from diluting.
You just need to brew extra-strong coffee by doubling the ground coffee quantity. Moreover, preparing coffee ice cubes is another way to preserve consistency. Take a tray of ice cubes, start pouring cooled coffee and refrigerate. And voila! Get ready to relish scrumptious iced coffee.
What Is Cold Brew?
A cold brew is not about a straightforward method likewise regular brewing. You already know time is the essence of this process for which it becomes a delectable drink. Coarsely ground coffee is the main ingredient of cold brew.
Moreover, a minimum of twelve hours and cold water are a must for making cold brew. The longer the process, the stronger will be the flavor. Since it may be going to be a strong flavor, the accompaniment of ice will compliment it.
Iced Coffee VS Cold Brew
Brewing Method:
Iced coffee calls for hot water since the flavor extraction is essential here. As a result, you will get a hot cup of delectable coffee. Then, one needs to pour the coffee over ice.
On the contrary, the cold brew process calls for soaking of coffee beans in room-temperature or cold water. However, the minimum duration here is 12 hours to extract the needed components from the coffee.
Time & Temperature:
The preparation of iced coffee is about hot brewing followed by chilling the same. That means the complete process needs only a couple of minutes for brewing. However, the ideal temperature for the extraction is about 195F to 205F before the cooling down of the brewed coffee.
Taste:
Top-quality iced coffee can maintain the flavor during the brewing process. The process will continue until the iced coffee will not remain exposed to oxidation for a long time.
On the other hand, cold brew comes with an acquired flavor. Moreover, the extraction can eliminate the coffee beans’ flavor. As a result, it offers a straightforward taste.
When it is about the cold brew preparation with top-notch coffee beans, you can expect a scrumptious, full-flavored experience. The cold brew offers a delicate, light, and sweet taste.
However, different variations are available in the market today. That means you can opt for your preferred option. Moreover, it is also possible to prepare a cold brew at your comfort zone to find out the most appropriate option for you.
Iced coffee offers a diluted taste because of the addition of ice. However, cold brew features less acidity because of its brewing process. It provides better taste than iced coffee. Moreover, it does not get heavy on the stomach. Although cold brew is a time-consuming process, the result is chocolaty, smooth, and lip-smacking.
Coffee Beans:
Are you curious about the coffee beans for iced coffee and cold brew? Actually, there is no direct answer to this. When it comes to cold brew, you must remember that the procedure is fully different from hot or iced coffee.
However, the process of cold brew can alleviate the strong flavor of the coffee beans. That is why many people prefer to use a strong darker roast for the same. On the contrary, some people are in favor of choosing lighter roasts. It is because they think darker roasts can make the flavor of a cold brew like charcoal.
Caffeine:
Some people think that the more ratio of coffee to water implies more content of caffeine. You should remember that cold brew yields a concentrated coffee but it will be diluted in the later process.
Usage:
You can serve iced coffee over ice. On the contrary, it is possible to serve cold brew either cold or hot added with a dash of milk. A perfectly-done cold brew features a great smoothness, unlike other variations. Time is the key to the entire process. It enables coffee beans to release more flavor to the water. As a result, you will have a more concentrated coffee without excessive diluted taste. Thus, it is possible to make a rich-flavored coffee with minimum bitterness.
The Bottom Line
I hope you have found iced coffee vs cold brew a very useful post for you. Now, you can decide about your preferred beverage for summers. Which of the two options will you go for? Iced coffee or cold brew? It completely depends upon your preference and taste.
Moreover, you can also try out different variations to opt for the most suitable one for you. When it comes to iced coffee, always choose fresh coffee beans only. In the case of cold brew, coffee beans of a few weeks old can also work great.