Cold Brew Coffee vs Iced Coffee: The Difference

You may have seen or heard about cold brew coffee popping up in cafes or even restaurants, but do you know that there is actually a stark difference between cold brew coffee and iced coffee? Find out how different they are and why people are now leaning towards cold brew coffee!

The main difference between cold brew coffee and iced coffee is the preparation of beans between them. Cold brew coffee is brewed by soaking coffee beans in cold or room temperature water for a minimum of 12 hours. This allows the extraction of sugar, oil, and caffeine from the coffee beans. Iced coffee is made by using hot water to extract the flavour of the coffee beans, then poured over ice for a glass of iced coffee.

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As the technique of cold brew coffee extracts the sugar, oil, and caffeine from the coffee beans, this will result in a smoother and more chocolatey taste of the coffee. Cold brew coffee also contains half acidity which will definitely be easier on the stomach, and great for those who can’t take much of acidic coffee.

The taste of iced coffee will definitely be rougher and more bitter than cold brew coffee, however, it may be slightly thinner due to the melting ice.

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The best thing about cold brew coffee is that it can be served either hot or cold, with or without milk. My favourite cup of cold brew coffee is served cold with milk, as the blend of smooth coffee and creamy milk is balanced and refreshing.

Due to the technique of coffee beans extraction, cold brew coffee actually does contain a higher amount of caffeine than iced coffee, so for those who’d like an extra kick in the morning without making your stomach queasy, this might be your next favourite kind of coffee!

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