Although some people might view iced coffee as a summertime beverage, we firmly believe that it is acceptable to consume this cool, caffeinated beverage all year long. However, there are two possibilities when you arrive at one of your favorite coffee shops: cold brew vs. iced coffee. What is the difference between cold brew and iced coffee?
Because Cold Brew isn’t heated, the acidity is reduced, resulting in a smoother, more naturally sweet flavor. Iced coffee has a refreshing, lighter body because it is brewed twice as strong and then cooled.
When tasted side by side, one is smooth and slightly sweet, while the other is smooth and light in body. Learn more about the differences between cold brew and iced coffee so you can decide which one best suits your taste.
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What Is Iced Coffee?
Simply put, iced coffee is what it sounds like: regularly brewed coffee served over ice. This process is simple; all you have to do is brew, as usual, let it cool, and then pour it over ice. But the coffee gets diluted using this technique. Make your iced coffee extra strong by doubling the amount of ground coffee you put in your coffee maker to prevent the ice from watering down your cold beverage. Making coffee ice cubes is another way to increase the flavor. For your subsequent cup of iced coffee, pour cooled coffee into an ice cube tray, freeze, and use.
Read More: How To Make Iced Coffee At Home?
What Is Cold Brew?
Making cold brews is more complicated than making iced coffee. Time is what gives cold brew coffee its delicious flavor. For at least twelve hours, coarsely ground coffee is steeped in cold water to create a cold brew. The flavor of coffee gets stronger as it sits. Cold brew can be served with ice because it usually has a higher alcohol content.
The grounds are removed after the coffee has finished steeping, leaving you with a coffee concentrate that can be combined with milk or water and served over ice. The final product is typically less acidic and bitter than iced coffee because cold brew extracts the coffee’s oils, sugars, and caffeine over time rather than using heat.
You can buy a ready-made option from the grocery store if you don’t have much time.
Difference Between Cold Brew And Iced Coffee
Difference In Brewing Method
The method used to prepare each beverage is the primary distinction between cold brew and iced coffee. One is regular coffee poured over ice, as the names imply, and the other is cold the entire time.
Cold brew is made by steeping coarse coffee grounds in cold water for 12 to 24 hours.
Iced coffee is exactly what it sounds like: regular brewed coffee poured over ice. Use any brewing method to brew hot coffee to create it. Alternatively to brewing it over ice, you can chill this hot coffee.
Cold brew is a steeping process that takes anywhere between 12 and 24 hours. You want the coffee grounds to be coarsely ground because you’ll be soaking them in water for such a long time. If you grind the beans too finely, you risk over-extracting the beans and producing bitter coffee.
You should generally use more finely ground beans for iced coffee because it can be prepared much more quickly, usually in just a few minutes. Another element that this method depends on is hot water.
The other important aspect of coffee preparation is temperature. The general rule is that the extraction will proceed more quickly the hotter the water is. Imagine it like this: if you poured cold water through coffee grounds in a drip coffee machine or pour-over, you’d end up with only slightly brownish water. However, if you let that chilly water sit on your grounds for several hours, the resulting cold brew will be flavorful.
Difference In Flavor
When coffee is brewed hot for iced coffee, it goes through a chemical process called oxidation that gives it a rancid or stale flavor. (Although it doesn’t happen right away, the heat accelerates the process because beans start oxidizing as soon as they are roasted, albeit at a slower rate. This is how large food chains make coffee, which explains why iced coffee from these chains typically tastes bland and watery.
By brewing hot coffee directly onto ice, specialty coffee shops have started to flash chill their iced coffee. This process preserves a lot of the flavor while retaining all the natural aromas released by hot water. This method produces a more vibrant, flavorful, and crisp iced coffee.
In contrast, the cold water used in cold brew significantly changes the flavor. Coffee does not absorb the same flavors from cold water as it does from hot water. Because of this, cold brew coffee has a very different flavor from iced coffee that has been traditionally brewed. Because it lacks the acidity and bitterness found in hot brewed coffee, cold brew coffee is smoother and sweeter than brewed iced coffee.
Differences In Caffeine
The caffeine content in iced coffee and cold brew can differ significantly depending on the brewing technique used. Since it is allowed to sit for longer, cold brew coffee typically contains more caffeine than iced coffee. The typical cold brew coffee in coffee shops contains about 50 mg more caffeine than the typical iced coffee.
However, ready-to-drink (RTD) coffee brands that sell cold brews can have caffeine levels that are as low as 50 mg or as high as 400 mg.
Contrary to popular belief, the caffeine content is unaffected by the type of beans used.
Differences In Price
Cold brew coffee can range from $3 to $4 USD depending on where you go, while an iced coffee typically costs between $2 and $3 USD. Because it requires more time to brew, cold brew coffee costs more than iced coffee. In addition, because it yields a concentrated amount of coffee, it uses more coffee beans than traditional brewing. A lesser amount of cold brew coffee is produced from the same amount of coffee beans as brewed iced coffee. A cold brew is worth the extra dollar if you prefer a stronger, smoother brew.
Which Is Ideal For You? Cold Brew Coffee Or Iced Coffee
Iced coffee and cold brew coffee are equal in quality. Each person has unique tastes, so they might favor one drink over another. Someone who wants a light, refreshing beverage with a traditional coffee flavor and the ability to easily add milk or sugar will enjoy iced coffee. A person who prefers smooth, sweet, slightly more caffeinated coffee and wants to add a small amount of cream or milk is better suited for cold brew coffee. While cold brew will continue to have a strong coffee flavor after the ice melts, traditional iced coffee will always become even more diluted.
Try both to determine which you prefer, as we recommend!
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