What is cold brew coffee and how is it made? What is the difference between cold brew and versus iced coffee?

#1 | HOW IS COLD BREW MADE? 

Coffee grounds (usually coarse) + water (cold or room temp) + time (8 to 24 hours) = most cold brew. Cold brew coffee is usually made by steeping coffee in water for a number of hours at cold or ambient (room) temperature. This slow, low temp brew makes cold brew taste very different from hot brewing the same type of coffee beans: mild chocolate and mellow, low acidity fruits are common flavor notes. We tested this for ourselves, and you can read our findings in our blog, “Cold Brew Taste Test: 5 Coffees, Hot vs. Cold”.

Cold brewing – or in many cases ambient temperature brewing – uses time in place of temperature to ensure extraction. Cold brewing can take between 8 and 24 hours, depending on who you ask and what your target cold brew taste is. Cold brew coffee is also often made as a concentrate which is then diluted – or “watered down” – to taste from there. So, while pour-over coffee and most drip coffees have a brewing ratio of about 1 to 16 coffee to water (ex: 20 grams of ground coffee brewed with 320 mL of water), cold brewing is usually done with less and with a wide range of possibilities to suit different tastes.

#2 | COLD BREW VS. ICED COFFEE

Iced coffee used to mostly be just what it sounds like: normal brewed drip coffee or espresso to which one adds ice. It was not — and maybe still isn’t — uncommon to watch a barista or diner employee simply take some coffee from batch brew, throw some ice in it, and call it “Iced Coffee”.

“Flash chill” or “flash brew” coffee is a more recently popularized innovation on iced coffee. These “flash” methods take two steps to increase the quality of iced coffee:

1. reduce the ratio of water to coffee to account for the added ice that would otherwise dilute the coffee, and
2. cool down the hot-brewed coffee immediately by brewing directly into the ice-filled vessel.

Cold brew is slow-steeped for longer periods of time. It differs from iced coffee, which has been hot brewed specifically to extract those additional layers of flavors and other natural coffee compounds that don’t get extracted much or at all in cold brew.

Oh yeah! I love the fall/autumn specials. Granted we here in this part of the world do not have a fall season they way they have it in North America or Europe but that doesn’t mean we can’t enjoy the Pumpkin Spice Frappuccino. Pumpkin Spice Frappuccino Blended Beverage is a delicious drink that captures the essence of autumn. It’s a concoction of Frappuccinos’ velvety texture and comforting pumpkin pie spice flavors. The aroma of cinnamon, nutmeg, and cloves transports you straight to a cozy fall day.

The cup before me was a sandier colour than a regular coffee Frappuccino. Almost a pinkish hue. The texture is thick and creamy. It’s sweet but not sickly, the autumnal flavours, such as the pumpkin, nutmeg, cinnamon and caramel burst through with every sip. It’s a very pleasant and tasty concoction, that doesn’t get boring. The coldness, added sweetness and texture make it very distinguished from the regular Latte version. It might be too cold for some but I like it a lot.

Ah yes September! When the leaves start to change colour and it looks so beautiful and then they fall – well not really where I live but I can see them nonetheless. Starbucks’ Pumpkin Spice Latte goes on sale August 24th in the U.S. and Canada, as it does each year when the nights start getting longer and the fall winds gather. But this year it was slightly earlier than usual. Starbucks India will also see the seasonal favourites come out to the delight of their patrons (as of now, I don’t see them on the menu).

Tim Hortons’ too have brought out their seasonal specials for their customers on AUg 29th. Tims customers across Canada can now try a new Pumpkin Spice Latte, Pumpkin Spice Cold Brew, and a Pumpkin Spice Iced Capp. Offered either hot or cold, the lattes are made with freshly brewed espresso, frothy steamed or ice chilled milk, and delicious pumpkin spice flavour and are topped with whipped topping and a sprinkle of cinnamon sugar. As for the new Pumpkin Spice Cold Brew and the Pumpkin Spice Iced Capp, both come with a pumpkin spice twist. Once again, they haven’t yet arrived in India but they will. I am not worried since most of India does not really have a falll/autumn season. Just like most of of us do not really have a winter season.

For Starbuck It’s the coffee giant’s most popular seasonal beverage, with hundreds of millions sold since its launch in 2003 in the US alone. In the year ending July 29, U.S. sales of pumpkin-flavored products reached $802.5 million, according to Nielsen. Starbucks tested the Pumpkin Spice Latte in 100 stores in Washington, D.C., and Vancouver, British Columbia, that fall. The company quickly realized it had a winner and rolled it out across the United States and Canada the following fall.

It’s time to accept it, I am a basic bitch! Hehehe, I am a Starbucks Grande boy. The last couple of months has seen me going to the Starbucks in Vennala, which I think is their newest outlet in Cochin, several times. Usually after work and when I need a sweet pick-me-up after the working day is done and if I have time, I will head to that particular Starbucks and order me a frappuccino and let the sweet liquid take the day’s toil away fro me.

And their Caramel Frappuccino is my current favourite drink. These Starbucks Caramel Frappuccinos are delicious and despite the sweet caramel, overall it isn’t overpoweringly sweet. I love the combo taste of caramel and whipped cream. Considering its name, it’s has an obvious caramel-like taste. CheatSheet describes the taste of a Caramel Frap to be “the perfect blend of sweet and salty,” thanks to the mix of sweet Frappuccino Roast syrup and salty caramel syrup. Since a general consensus about the Starbucks Caramel Frappuccino is that the drink is not for people who don’t like sweet beverages, it comes as no surprise that a Caramel Frap has A LOT of sugar.

It’s ok to have it a few times in a year but I wouldn’t want to go to Starbucks on a daily basis for frappuccinos. But when I feel that craving, I will definitely try to go to one of them and enjoy a sweet beverage in the evening.

A cappuccino is a classic espresso and milk drink. It starts with a bottom layer of one or two espresso shots, with a second layer of steamed milk on top, followed by a thick layer of foam which gives it a luxurious velvety texture.

Originated in Italy, cappuccino consist of 100–140ml of fresh whole milk, expertly frothed and poured in equal measures of liquid and milk foam over 25–30ml of espresso contained in a 150–200ml cup at a temperature of 60°–65°C.

1. Inspired by a “Capuchin friar” named Marco D’Aviano, cappuccino frequented a Viennese coffee house at the end of the 17th century.
2. The quality of your Cappuccino depends on the quality of the espresso, as espresso is the essential element of a cappuccino.
3. Cappuccino is originated from Italians and is now the most consumable espresso-based milk coffee across the world.
4. In Italy, people only drink cappuccino during breakfast time.
5. Italian engineer Achille Gaggia patented the first modern espresso machine in 1938, making today’s Cappuccino.
6. Cappuccino usually should be one-third of milk foam, one-third of milk and one-third of coffee.
7. Classic cappuccinos earlier being served with elements sprinkled are ginger, cinnamon or cocoa powder.
8. The correct temperature for a cappuccino shouldn’t be more than 65-70 degrees. This is the perfect temperature for getting a lovely silky milk texture and the natural sweetness of protein in the milk.
9. The person who makes an excellent cappuccino is known as a “Barista”. It’s an Italian term for coffee maker.
10. Every year, the world championship for the best cappuccino happens in London.