To start, it is important to say that one is not better than the other. Both consist of coffee and water. It is simply a matter of your coffee preference as each is made differently to produce distinct tastes. Here are the differences between cold brew versus iced coffee.
Cold brew is essentially cold coffee. Room temperature or cold water is steep in coffee grounds for 12 to 24 hours. The longer the coffee sits, the stronger the flavor.
Once the steeping finishes, the result is a strong concentrate that can be mixed with water to make cold brew – as much as 1 to 1 ratio for coffee to water, depending on your preference of coffee strength.
Because cold brew is not brewed in hot water, the taste is less acidic and less bitter. The mouthfeel is smoother with more body, a mild mellower taste, and natural sweetness.
Iced coffee is essentially coffee that’s iced. The coffee is made traditionally with hot water and poured over ice.
The hot water makes the taste of coffee more acidic, bitter, and bright. The ice makes the drink more refreshing and lighter-bodied. At the same time, though, the ice often dilutes the drink.
Many coffee shops strengthen the taste of the coffee by doubling up on the coffee grounds. Alternatively, you can also freeze cooled coffee into ice cubes and pour hot coffee over these coffee ice cubes.
Making a Better Iced Coffee
Many iced coffees have a bad reputation, especially when compared to cold brew, for being watered down and diluted tasting. For a better tasting iced coffee, try the Japanese iced coffee method (which is often also the Vietnamese iced coffee technique).
Rather than pouring already brewed hot coffee onto the ice, brew the coffee directly over the ice so that the coffee chill immediately. This retains the natural aromas and preserves more flavor. The result: a rich, refreshing, crisp, and aromatic cup of iced coffee. And best of all, it only takes 2 to 4 minutes to make.
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