Since the discovery of iced coffee this had become a big hit in the coffee industry over the years, and nowadays iced coffee is one of the favorites by coffee lovers all year round. Cold brew coffee made its name in the coffee industry, amidst the increase of methods on how to make iced coffee, it takes an in-depth knowledge to fully understand all the technique of this well, love beverage.
Making iced coffee is not just putting ice in your coffee, but making iced coffee has three different methods, that also have a different price, taste, and texture.
Let’s look at the different types and ways in making iced coffee.
Iced Coffee
Iced coffee is the most popular type of cold brew, a classic, reliable, and famously over-iced summer time on-the-go.
How it’s made:
Well, iced coffee is pretty much your average joe. It’s brewed hot like your regular cup but at double strength, so when it’s poured over (and melts) a pitcher of ice, it won’t be too watery.
How it tastes:
If you get used to drinking black coffee, then the taste of this is not surprising. Though the kick of this coffee is the added ice that made its texture light, refreshing, and a little more acidic.
What makes its extra penny?
Iced coffee costs more than the hot stuff because of the extra materials involved—like straws, ice (not to mention the ice machine required), and plastic cups, which can cost up to two times the price of their paper counterparts. It’s typically the cheapest of all the iced varieties, however, because the process of making it isn’t time-consuming.
The best way to drink is:
You can drink this coffee with no added sweeteners, but if you want to add something fun to lessen a bit its acidity, you can add dairy or nondairy creamers.
Cold Brew
Cold brew is different from Iced coffee though both of them are chilled but, the process of making is different. It’s believed that the cold brew had first emerged in the early 17th century, but it was not popular during that time since the hot coffee is the king of all cups during those days. Only after ten years where cold brew has made its name in households and finding its way into grocery stores, restaurants, and any coffee shops.
How it’s made:
Cold brew doesn’t require ice, but making a cold brew coffee is a process of steeping the beans in cool water at room temperature within 12 to 24 hours to slowly become its best taste. After 24hrs of waiting, you can now finally strained out the coffee and served chilled.
How it tastes:
Hot-brewed coffee is bitter in taste and more acidic, but the cold brew is made with cold water that is why the taste is slightly sweeter, a bit milder, and way less acidic than your average iced joe. Though the aroma and flavor will be less intense, they won’t change dramatically over time like hot coffee. So you can drink it the next day, and the next day, and it will taste just as fresh.
What you’re paying for?
We’ve all wondered why cold brew cashes out anywhere from 50 cents to a dollar more than regular iced coffee this is because the process of making is more complicated than making a regular iced coffee, and it requires more time to get the perfect brew. Not only does the process take way longer, but cold brew also requires about twice the amount of coffee grounds as its more traditional counterpart.
The best way to drink is:
Cold brew is best to drink itself without adding creamer or sweetener to enjoy its goodness.
Nitro Brew
Nitro brew is a bubblier cold brew that comes from a keg. It grew in popularity when Starbucks rolled out its own variety a few years ago, delighting those who had always secretly wished coffee was just beer.
How it’s made:
The coffee is typically first made using the cold brew process, then poured into a keg. It’s then infused with tiny nitrogen bubbles and routed through a pressurized valve to create the “on tap” situation that looks (and tastes) undeniably cooler than any Keurig.
How it tastes:
The biggest difference between nitro brew and a cold brew is the texture. While both of these iced options are subtle and sweet in flavor, a nitrogen cold brew delivers a super-smooth, rich body with a foamy top similar to your favorite draught beer.
What you’re paying for?
It’s no surprise that Nitro brew is the most expensive because the nitrogen infusion, and the costly equipment needed to make it, this drink might cost you as much as a small meal.
The best way to drink is:
You want something frothy, but you’re trying to avoid creamers or sweeteners. Oh, and you don’t mind paying top dollar for top taste.
Source: Greatist
