Cold Brew Coffee vs. Iced Coffee...What's the Difference?

It was a record winter here in Utah with over 800" of snow as most of our ski resorts. Just when you felt like the weather was turning, another storm arrived with to add to the record totals. Now with spring is in full swing and many people are returning to their favorite ice cold coffee beverages. 

April means the return of one of our favorite specialty drinks, the Cleopatra, a salted caramel cold brew latte! So for those who like their favorite brews hot and haven't delved in to the world of cold coffee, what is the difference between a cold brew coffee and an iced coffee?

First, let's start with the easy and obvious one. Iced coffee is exactly what it says it is, a coffee that has been brewed hot, whether it be through drip, french press or an espresso shot, and then cooled and poured over ice. This can be a nice way to enjoy some of your leftover morning coffee once the day has warmed.

For cold brew, the process is a bit more complicated. Cold brew coffee is never brewed hot. Instead, the coffee is made by extracting the coffee grinds by steeping them in cold or room temperature water over a longer period of time, usually 12-24 hours. This brewing process involves a long slow extraction of coffee flavors that results in a less acidic, ultra smooth coffee that is then served cold, over ice.

We make all our cold brew coffee with our Task Force Zulu blend. It is a certified organic and free-trade variety that features notes of chocolate and nuts that make it especially great for cold brew extraction. We use our cold brew in a number of drinks in our shops that our customers love including the previously mentioned Cleopatra. 

Next time you're in one of our shops, grab a delicious cold brew drink, or if you're not in Salt Lake City, order some Task Force Zulu to make your own cold brew at home. We can custom grind your beans to the right course for cold brew, and, if you haven't made it at home previously, we recommend that you get a Toddy Cold Brew system. 

So whether winter is still holding on, or spring is in full bloom, a nice cold brew coffee might just be what you need in your life.