Did you know that there's actually a difference between cold brew and iced coffee? Check out what makes each caffeinated choice a fan favorite!
We all love our coffee. We sip on it each morning to bring about that jolt of concentration, to be able to conquer our day ahead and communicate more clearly: "don't talk to me until I've had my morning coffee," anyone?
Though coffee can brighten the day and clear the mind, there are so many different ways to "take" your coffee that it can often be overwhelming or just downright confusing.
The difference between with or without milk is easy. So is the difference between hot or cold.
But, what about iced coffee and cold brew? What makes these coffee drinks different and how do you choose the right one for your morning routine?
The difference is in how these two drinks are made:
Iced Coffee
Iced coffee is exactly what it sounds like: coffee with ice! The brewing method is simple:
1. Brew your coffee as normal (check out some of our favorite coffee blends) combining coffee grounds with boiling water
2. Let it cool
3. Add ice!
Some coffee connoisseurs find the coffee can become diluted as the ice melts and adds additional water to the mix. To help remedy a diluted cup of joe and keep your caffeine levels consistent, you can double the amount of grounds used in making your hot cup to offset any melted ice.
Alternatively, you can use "coffee cubes" instead of normal ice cubes to keep your coffee flavor strong! Just pour cooled coffee into an ice tray, freeze, and use in your next cup of iced coffee. (P.S. You're welcome! 😉)
Cold Brew
Cold brew takes a different approach to brewing your cup. Rather than using heat to extract the caffeine, the sugar, and the oils from the coffee grounds, cold brew requires time to create a less acidic, less bitter taste. Here are three easy steps to make your cold brew concentrate:
1. Combine coarse coffee grounds and cold, filtered water
2. Let your coffee combination steep for at least 12 hours
3. Filter out the grounds
Cold brew combines coarse coffee grounds with cold, filtered water to create that smooth, rich taste. That's really all there is to it! Just let the combination sit for at least 12 hours. The more time the coffee sits, the stronger the coffee will be!
Because the flavor tends to be stronger with cold brew, feel free to add ice!
We recommend making it the night before to allow your cold brew time to reach the perfect amount of smooth and stimulating for your morning routine. Your cold brew concentrate can last 7-10 days in the fridge so you can make enough to last the week!
The coffee concentrate can be paired with milk, sugar, water, or any other flavoring! Check out our allergen-free, flavored blends so you don't have to sacrifice rich flavors because of pesky allergies.
Which drink is right for you?
That's all based on personal taste, time, and preference.
If you prefer a more diluted cup, like to use your cooled-down extra coffee from your morning brew as an iced pick-me-up, or are short on time, iced coffee might be the best for you!
If you prefer a more concentrated cup that is less acidic and you have the patience and time, cold brew is your best bet.