Cold Brew vs. Iced Coffee
Just in time for summer.
What is cold brew? What is iced coffee? Is there really a difference?
These questions plague many coffee drinkers who are told by baristas that “there is no difference” when really, there are major differences, notably in acidity and flavor.
As summer is in full swing in Texas, we wanted to share this information with you so that you can brew your own cold brew or iced coffee to beat the heat. Let’s start with cold brew.
What is cold brew?
Cold brew is coffee that has been steeped for a long amount of time in cold water. It can vary by preference from 12 to 18 hours. So although it is not instantaneous, it can easily be set up before you go to bed and then enjoyed in the morning.
You do not use hot water when soaking the grounds, instead using cold or cool water. Brewing with hot water releases more oils from the bean, which makes coffee acidic. Brewing with cold water over an extended period of time reduces the acidity, which is a health benefit for people with stomach or heartburn issues who struggle to drink hot coffee.
People often brew what is called cold brew concentrate and it means that they have a ratio closer to 1:4 or 1:8 (coffee to water). I typically brew closer to 1:18 (aka 50 grams of grounds and 32 oz of water). When I make cold brew, I typically do not make a concentrate because I intend to drink the coffee immediately the next morning. If you do make a concentrate, dilute it by adding equal parts, 1:1, concentrate and water, or a 1:2 method, then adjust to your preference. I usually enjoy a 1:1 ratio with a small splash of milk. If you choose not to dilute, know that the caffeine kick is also concentrated.
The Cold Brew Process
I personally love making cold brew because it is so easy! I use the same measurements that I do when brewing a typical French press - 50g of grounds, ~ 32 oz of water.
Put the desired amount of grounds in the bottom of the press.
Pour the cold water over the grounds until full.
Stir it gently so that all grounds are soaked evenly.
Cover it and put it in the fridge. I let mine steep for at least 12 hours.
I think cold brew has a naturally creamy consistency, and because it is naturally less acidic, I can enjoy more of it without some of the side effects of hot coffee. If you are a fan of iced tea on a hot day, then you will definitely like cold brew coffee. It is easy to add additional sweeteners, creamer, or drink black.
What is iced coffee?
Iced coffee is brewed hot, and then served over ice. When I worked as a barista, we would brew our regular coffee over a pitcher filled with ice, then shake it up to cool all the coffee, and store it in the fridge for up to 24 hours. (It rarely lasted that long!)
Since it is brewed with hot water, the acids and oils we are used to in hot coffee will be present. Iced coffee often has a stronger and more bitter flavor when brewed correctly and not watered down, where I find cold brew to be slightly smoother.
The flavors and aromas associated with iced coffee will closely imitate that of regularly brewed coffee. It has the same versatility when it comes to the drinker’s preferences of sweetener and creamer.
The Iced Coffee Process
You have two options when it comes to brewing iced coffee at home. One, brew your coffee normally, let it cool for a few minutes, and pour over a glass of ice. One downside is that it can result in watery coffee if not cooled enough.
To combat watered-down coffee you can brew a concentrate – our second option – and allow the ice to act as the initial dilution. Follow the same measurements above for the cold brew (or your own personal preferences) to make an iced coffee concentrate.
In order to reduce the acidity in your brew while you let it cool, you can utilize a pour over technique (like a Chemex or V60) or a drip coffee machine (just make sure to turn the heating element off). Because the coffee will not continue steeping with the grounds like it does in a French press, it can be removed from heat and allowed to cool normally.
If you do use a French press like we do, you can immediately pour your coffee or concentrate over ice so that it will not continue to steep, or pour it into a separate glass to cool before adding ice.
Trial and error will help you hone in your iced coffee preferences.
When it comes time for you to beat the heat, try brewing some cold brew coffee or making iced coffee at home! It is a fun experience, makes delicious coffee, and neither process adds strain to your coffee routine.
Cheers,
Mrs. Brew