Find Out The Difference Between Iced Coffee and Cold Brew with Kauai Coffee
Kauai Coffee Co.’s experts share the difference—and offer two recipes to try now.
Summer is here, and cold coffee season is upon us! When it comes to chilled coffee drinks, there are two main options: iced coffee and cold brew. What’s the difference? Our Kauaʻi Coffee Co. experts will explore this and share some delicious Kauaʻi coffee recipes.
The Difference
Simply put, iced coffee is brewed hot and cold brew is brewed cold. In iced coffee, hot water extracts flavors from coffee grounds quickly and retains more robust and brighter flavors. By contrast, cold brew uses cold water to extract flavors over time, retaining more chocolatey flavor notes and resulting in a smoother, richer and less acidic coffee.
Photo: Courtesy of Kauai Coffee Co.
How to Brew Iced Coffee
To make iced coffee, simply use your favorite hot brewing method to brew double strength coffee. Once brewed, let the coffee cool a bit before pouring over a glass of ice.
How to Brew Cold Brew Coffee Concentrate
You don’t need fancy equipment to make a delicious batch of cold brew at home. You DO need time, though.
Preparation:
- Add 2 cups of coarse ground coffee to a 2-quart pitcher.
- Slowly add 8 cups of filtered water.
- Stir gently until all grounds are saturated.
- Cover and let sit in the refrigerator for 12 to 16 hours. The longer your coffee steeps, the more concentrated it will become.
- Filter the grounds out of the pitcher and store the concentrate in the refrigerator for up to 7 days.
Photo: Courtesy of Kauai Coffee Co.
Kauai Coffee for Cold Brewing
We love cold brew coffee so much that we created a 100% Kauai Coffee for cold brewing at home. This coarse ground coffee produces a smooth, rich, and flavorful cup of coffee with a hint of sweetness.
However, many of our Estate Reserve and 100% Kauai Coffees are also excellent in a cold brew preparation:
- Estate Reserve Typica Medium is naturally sweet-toned with a delicately complex flavor and lingering hints of sweet berry.
- Roastmaster’s Choice McBryde Estate is pleasantly sweet with hints of chocolate, dry berry, and floral notes.
- Coconut Caramel Crunch is the perfect choice when you want coffee, but also dessert! Sweet notes of nutty caramel are blended with tropical coconut.
Two Cold Brew Recipes to Try
Creamy Coconut Caramel Crunch Cold Brew
Pour 1 cup of Kauai Coffee Coconut Caramel Crunch cold brew concentrate over ice and top with ¼ cup cold frothed milk. Add a little whipped cream and chocolate syrup for a decadent dessert.
Photo: Courtesy of Kauai Coffee Co.
Tropical Cold Brew Popsicles
- Combine one 13.5-ounce can of coconut milk, 1 cup of cold brew concentrate, 1/3 cup of honey and ¾ cup of cocoa powder in a blender.
- Pour into popsicle molds; freeze for at least 4 hours.
- Remove popsicles from the mold, dip them into chocolate sauce and coconut flakes and enjoy!
Savor the Flavors of Hawaii with Kauai Coffee
Whether you prefer the robust, vibrant flavor of iced coffee or the smooth, rich taste of cold brew, Kauai Coffee is perfect for you.
Visit kauaicoffee.com to shop our selection of 100% Hawaiian coffees and bring the taste of paradise to your home. Cheers to a cool and caffeinated summer!
