What is the Difference Between Cold Brew and Iced Coffee?

Cold brew coffee and iced coffee are both popular coffee drinks, but they have many differences. In this article, you will learn the difference between cold brew coffee and iced coffee, as well as how to make them, so you can choose the coffee experience that suits you.

What is Cold Brew Coffee

Cold brew coffee, also known as cold brew coffee, is a type of coffee that is extracted by soaking coffee powder in cold water below 5 degrees Celsius for a long time. The coffee produced in this way has a soft taste, low acidity, and bitterness, and retains sweetness and aroma. This production process is relatively long, usually requiring 12-24 hours of soaking time. It can fully extract the aromatic substances and soluble nutrients in the coffee powder, forming a rich and refreshing taste.

In addition, if you use the ITEHIL portable cold brew coffee cup, it uses advanced vacuum technology and a powerful pump to shorten the traditional 12-hour steeping time by 15 minutes. In other words, the ITEHIL electric cold brew coffee cup will save you most of your time. At the same time, it adopts a portable and lightweight design, allowing you to drink fresh cold brew coffee anytime, anywhere.

How Cold Brew Coffee is Made

Traditional cold brew coffee making method: Choose dark roasted coffee beans and grind them into fine powder. Put the coffee powder and cold water (ratio: 1:12) into a container, stir evenly, seal it, and put it in the refrigerator to soak for 12-24 hours. After soaking, filter out the scum from the coffee liquid and drink it.

If you use the ITEHIL electric cold brew coffee cup, you need to pour 22g of ground coffee powder and 350 ml of water into the ITEHIL electric cold brew coffee cup, cover the cup, just press the button, and wait for 15 minutes before drinking. During the brewing process, you can observe the operation of the coffee machine.

Cold Brew Coffee Flavor Characteristics

The difference between cold brew coffee and traditional hot coffee is that it has a softer and smoother taste. Because low-temperature extraction reduces the dissolution rate of bitter substances, it tastes less bitter and sweeter. The acidic substances are also 67% lower than hot brew, which makes cold brew coffee mild in acidity and more balanced in taste.

In addition, ITEHIL cold brew coffee is an ideal choice for outdoor camping, backpacking, cycling, office, and other scenarios. At the same time, it can be put into your backpack, car, and bicycle, which is very convenient. Therefore, you can take it anywhere, and it can brew cold brew coffee for you anywhere.

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Advantages of Cold Brew Coffee

Low acidity, more suitable for people with sensitive stomachs.
Rich in aromatic substances and strong flavor.
Easy to make and low cost.
More complete nutritional value.

What is Iced Coffee

Iced coffee is a cold drink made by cooling hot brewed coffee quickly. It originated in Europe and parts of Asia and has become popular around the world, especially in hot weather. Iced coffee is easy and quick to make. You can choose to make it with a drip method, a French press, or a hand-brew pot, and you don't have to wait for a long time to steep.

Characteristics of Iced Coffee

Since iced coffee is brewed with hot water, the aromatic substances in the coffee can be fully released, bringing a strong coffee aroma. However, the acidity of iced coffee is more obvious, which is suitable for people who like a refreshing taste. However, if the ice cubes melt, the coffee will be slightly diluted, and the taste will become more refreshing, which is suitable for drinking in summer.

Can You Heat Cold Brew or Iced Coffee?

Both cold brew coffee and iced coffee can be heated for drinking, but it is important to note the difference in the heating method. Here are the differences between the heating methods of cold brew coffee and iced coffee.

How to Heat Cold Brew Coffee

Cold brew coffee can be enjoyed not only cold but also heated. Heating cold brew coffee can preserve its unique flavor while providing a warm drinking experience. Here are some ways to heat cold brew coffee:

Direct Heating Method

You can use a microwave or stovetop to heat. Pour the cold brew into a heat-resistant container. Heat at low power (about 30-50%) for 30 seconds each time, stir and heat again until the desired temperature is reached. Pour the coffee into a small pot and heat slowly over medium-low heat, stirring at the same time to avoid overheating.

Also, when using the direct heating method, be careful to avoid boiling, as this may destroy the soft flavor of the cold brew.

Hot Water Method

You can use a kettle or other heating tools. Pour the cold brew concentrate into the cup according to the ratio (usually 1:1 or 1:2). Add 80°C-90°C hot water and stir well. The advantage of this method is that it can maximize the flavor of cold brew coffee while quickly obtaining a hot drink.

Steam Heating

You can use the steam wand in your home coffee machine. Pour the cold brew coffee into the milk pitcher and slowly heat it with the steam wand while injecting air to create fine foam. Using steam heating can enhance the taste and is suitable for coffee lovers who want a richer taste.

How to Heat Iced Coffee

Iced coffee can be heated, but you need to pay attention to the method and degree of heating to avoid affecting the taste and quality of the coffee.

Using a Microwave:

Advantages: Fast heating.
Disadvantages: Since microwaves use radiation rather than conduction to heat, you cannot directly check the temperature of the coffee, which may cause the coffee to burn or heat unevenly.

Notes: It is recommended that you pour the iced coffee into a microwave-safe container set a lower heating power and time, and try several times to find the best heating effect.

Using the Coffee Spoon Warmer:

Advantages: Convenient and easy to operate, you can directly put the heated coffee spoon into the cold coffee to heat it.
Disadvantages: The heating speed is relatively slow, and you may not be able to fully heat the iced coffee to the temperature of hot coffee.
How to use: Put the heated coffee spoon into the iced coffee, press the switch on the spoon handle to start heating, and observe the color change of the spoon handle to judge the degree of heating.

Using an Electric Kettle or Ceramic Hob:

Method: Pour the iced coffee into a pot or use a dedicated coffee heater to heat it.
Advantages: You can precisely control the heating temperature and time to avoid burning or overheating the coffee.
Note: Make sure to use safe and reliable heating equipment and avoid heating coffee without supervision.

Heating degree:

If iced coffee is heated to too high a temperature, it may cause changes in certain chemicals and compounds in the coffee, thus affecting the taste and flavor of the coffee. Therefore, it is recommended to heat iced coffee to a lukewarm temperature and avoid overheating.

Does Cold Brew Taste Different From Iced Coffee?

There are major differences in how cold brew and iced coffee are made. As a result, they taste different. Here are some of the differences between cold brew and iced coffee.

Cold brew coffee has a smooth taste, low acidity, light bitterness, and a softer coffee aroma and flavor, which is suitable for people who like a light taste. Cold brew coffee has a long shelf life and can be stored in the refrigerator for several days without significant changes in flavor.

Iced coffee has a mellow taste, with oil on the surface, and a strong smoky flavor from roasted coffee. Iced Americano is a common form of iced coffee, made by extracting coffee powder with high-pressure steam and adding ice water. It has a mellow taste and oil on the surface. However, iced Americano contains ice cubes and is not suitable for long-term storage. It is recommended to drink it immediately after making it.

Therefore, from the above, we can conclude that cold brew coffee is more concentrated than iced coffee. If you like low-acid, smoother, and stronger coffee, cold brew coffee is a better choice. If you like layered coffee flavors, iced coffee may be more suitable for you.

Which Has More Caffeine, Cold Brew or Iced Coffee?

It mainly depends on the preparation method and proportion. Cold brew coffee is a long-term low-temperature soaking of a high ratio of coffee powder to water, and its caffeine content may be higher than traditional iced coffee. Ice coffee is quickly extracted with hot water and then cooled with ice, and the caffeine concentration after dilution is usually lower. The overall caffeine content of a single cup of coffee may be lower than cold brew.

However, this is not absolute, as the final caffeine content of cold brew is also affected by the extraction time, coffee powder particle size, and brewing ratio.

FAQ

Is Cold Brew Coffee Healthier?

Cold brew coffee may be healthier than traditional hot brewed coffee because it is less acidic and gentler on the stomach. In addition, the antioxidants and natural flavors in cold brew coffee are retained, reducing bitterness and astringency.

Why is Cold Brew Coffee More Expensive?

While traditional cold brew coffee needs to be steeped for 12 hours or more to extract a strong and mild flavor, if you use the ITEHIL cold brew coffee cup, you can make a strong cold brew coffee in just 15 minutes.

Is Cold Brew Stronger Than a Latte?

Yes, because cold brew is based on high-concentration coffee liquid, which is extracted at low temperatures for a long time to release more coffee flavor. The latte is a combination of coffee and milk, and the milky aroma neutralizes the strong feeling of coffee.

Why Does Cold Brew Taste Better Than Regular Coffee?

Because the low temperature and long-time extraction avoids the bitterness and sourness brought by high-temperature brewing, the natural sweetness and aroma of coffee are more prominent. In addition, the cold brew process retains more delicate flavor layers, making the entrance smoother and the aftertaste richer. This mild but full taste is the reason why many people prefer cold brew!