Yes, Cold Brew And Iced Coffee Are Different. Here’s Why

Cold brew and iced coffee are summertime beverages that may appear quite similar — but looks can be deceiving! From the preparation process to the nutritional benefits, cold brew and iced coffee are distinct options that you shouldn’t get mixed up. But what exactly are the differences between the two?

The primary difference between iced coffee and cold brew is the preparation. Cold brew coffee is steeped for 12-24 hours and then diluted with water, while iced coffee is simply a traditional brew poured over ice. The former has a smoother flavor and less acidity, but it also tends to cost more.

Despite their differences, cold brew and iced tea do serve a similar purpose — they’re a great way to cool off and get a much-needed caffeine boost on a hot summer day. Let’s take a closer look at these two drinks so that you can decide which one’s right for you.

What’s the Difference Between Cold Brew and Iced Coffee?

Iced coffee with toasted marshmallow

As the name suggests, iced coffee basically comprises regular coffee poured over ice. The coffee’s usually brewed using a traditional brewing method, and the concentrate is added to a glass filled with ice, in addition to milk and other add-ons like syrup, if desired. 

Cold brew coffee, however, is an entirely different ball game. To prepare a cold brew, coffee beans are steeped in cold water for a long period of time — typically between 12 to 24 hours. The concentrate is then diluted with water or milk to make a cup of cold brewed coffee. Some people use cold-brew coffee machines like this one (on Amazon) to make cold-brew at home.

The brewing method is one of the main factors contributing to the coffee’s flavor. Since iced coffee is brewed hot and then chilled, while cold brew is brewed at room temperature for hours, it’s only natural that the two have different flavors. Cold brew is significantly smoother with a hint of chocolate, whereas iced coffee tastes like traditional coffee. 

One thing that the two drinks have in common is that they’re more forgiving on the digestive system than their hot counterparts. The coffee’s temperature doesn’t really affect its health benefits and drawbacks, but it’s also been proven that cold jitter juice may be a better choice for anyone struggling with high blood pressure. 

What Is the Process of Making Cold Brew?

Contrary to what you may have heard, making cold brew isn’t too hard, and it doesn’t require barista-level skills. There are a few methods for making cold brew, but the simplest one is tailored to the novices in the game.

Here’s how to go about it:

  1. Prepare The Coffee Beans: You’ll need to start off with the most important and obvious ingredient — coffee beans. You can grid them yourself or purchase pre-ground coffee. For the best results, opt for coarsely ground beans. 
  1. Ready the Equipment: As mentioned above, there are several methods for making cold brew. For the simplest method, you’ll need a jar of water, an empty jar, a filter, and a measuring cup. If you don’t have the supplies already, you can get a specialized jar and filter (on Amazon).
  1. Make the Concentrate: This is where you’ll need to get a bit technical. The ideal coffee-to-water ratio is 1:8. Using the measuring cup, measure the coffee grounds into the empty jar then add the appropriate quantity of water. Let the mixture sit for 12 to 24 hours. 
  1. Dilute the Cold Brew Concentrate: To serve your cold brew coffee, you’ll need to dilute the concentrate in a concentrate-to-water ratio of your choice. 

What Is the Process of Making Iced Coffee?

When it comes to iced coffee, you can pick between brewing the coffee yourself or simply opting for an instant coffee (on Amazon). For simplicity purposes, let’s proceed with an instant coffee example:

  1. Prepare Coffee Concentrate: Add 2-3 teaspoons of coffee and your preferred quantity of sugar into a cup. Pour hot water into the same cup and give it a good stir. Make sure the concentrate is stronger than your usual cup of coffee. 
  1. Make It Iced: Throw a few ice blocks into a tall heat-resistant glass and add the concentrate until the glass is about three-quarters full. From there, you can customize the drink to your liking by adding milk, syrup or even whipped cream. Once you’ve added all the ingredients, be sure to stir thoroughly. 

Iced coffee can be prepared in a variety of ways — there are no strict rules to follow. As long as you’ve got the fundamentals down, the rest boils down to personal preferences. 

Is Cold Brew Stronger Than Iced Coffee? 

Strong coffee normally refers to coffee that has a high coffee-to-water ratio, or is more concentrated, in simpler terms. As a broad standard, the recommended ratio for traditional coffee is 1:17. In other words, you’ll need 17 grams of water for every gram of water. The standard for cold brew is 1:8. Evidently, the resulting cold brew concentrate will generally be stronger.

It’s important to note that while cold brew is stronger, the resulting drink’s strength will ultimately depend on the quantity of diluent added to the concentrate. 

Is There a Taste Difference Between Cold Brew and Iced Coffee?

Ice Coffee coffee tastes like cold traditional coffee served with add-ons like syrup or whipped cream, while cold brew is smoother, with a hint of chocolate. Also, cold brewed coffee has lower levels of acidity so it tends to be less bitter and gentler on the palate and stomach. 

The difference in taste comes down to the method of extraction. Simply put, to make iced coffee, heat is used to extract sugars and oils from the coffee beans. Conversely, the cold brewing process relies on time to extract the necessary elements. 

Why Is Cold Brew More Expensive Than Iced Coffee?

Pouring milk into glass with cold brew coffee

Preparing cold brew is significantly more time-consuming and it requires more resources. To recover the cost of those resources, retailers or coffee shops need to charge more for cold brewed coffee. Here are some factors that drive the cost of cold brew:

  • Coffee Grounds: Given the high coffee-to-water ratio required, more coffee grounds are needed for cold brewing. 
  • Time Factor: Time is a precious resource in business and everyday life, and to make cold brew, lots of it is needed. 
  • Holding Costs: Unlike iced coffee, cold-brewed concentrates are usually stored for days and the holding costs need to be accounted for. 

The Final Word

Although both cold brew and iced coffee are refreshing coffee-based drinks, one can’t be swapped for the other. They provide different flavors and appeal to different preferences.

Iced coffee is ideal for anyone looking to get the everyday-coffee experience — minus the heat. A cup of cold brew on the other hand, best suits those looking for a less acidic yet rich caffeine infusion. 

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