Coffee lovers will attest: there’s no wrong way to enjoy your cup of coffee. Dozens of coffee styles are out there to delight your palette. But the type of coffee you enjoy is likely largely determined by your personal taste. According to research by Mintel, two of the most popular American coffee drinks are cold brew coffee and iced coffee.
While both coffee drinks are served cold, there are notable differences between the two. We can help you better decide which drink is right for you.
In this blog post, we will compare cold brew coffee vs iced coffee. So what is cold brew coffee vs iced coffee? Read on to find out!
What is Cold Brew Coffee?
In its simplest definition, cold brew coffee is made by steeping coarse ground coffee beans in cold water for 12-24 hours. Because heat and pressure are not applied, and because cold brew coffee relies on diffusion for coffee to be “steeped”, cold brew coffee is considerably less acidic than standard coffee, making it popular with those who suffer from acid reflux or those who have sensitive stomachs.
What is Iced Coffee?
Unlike cold brew coffee, iced coffee features a brewing method using hot water. The hot coffee is then served over ice. This pour-over-ice method makes for a very different flavor compared to cold brew.
Similar Names, Different Profiles
When comparing ice coffee and cold brew, many of the differences are notable right in their flavor profiles.
Cold brew coffee has a smooth taste. It is often described by coffee enthusiasts as less acidic and less bitter when compared with traditional coffee. The longer steeping time required by cold brew coffee allows for slower flavor extraction. This means a lower acidity level in the final cup.
Iced coffee retains more of a traditional coffee flavor. Its higher acidity and bitterness level occur because of the hot brewing process. The addition of ice further dilutes the coffee, which can result in a slightly weaker taste compared to cold brew.
Caffeine is another distinguishing feature when comparing iced coffee vs cold brew. Because cold brew coffee is brewed over a longer period of time, it generally has a much higher caffeine content despite being less acidic.
Taste the Best Cold Brew Coffee vs Iced Coffee
At Ellianos, we deliver Italian Quality at America’s Pace® in every drink we craft. This includes our wide selection of cold brew coffee drinks, iced coffee drinks, and more.
Our family of coffee shops is sure to deliver the cold brew coffee vs iced coffee of your dreams. Find an Ellianos near you to experience our coffee for yourself!
