Iced coffee has been around for centuries, and the concept seems to have originated as far back as Vienna and France, so don't feel ashamed if it's your go-to. Cold brew coffee has quickly earned its own reputation over the past five years or so as it has become more readily available. The difference between cold brew and iced coffee comes down to how it's made and the flavors that process produces.

What is iced coffee?

Iced coffee has been around for a long time, but its popularity has never quite surpassed hot coffee. Iced coffee is actually just what it sounds like. Simply pour cooled coffee over ice. You can add any flavors or creamer you want, sometimes making it more like an iced latte than iced coffee, but the key is keeping it cool with plenty of ice.

Keep in mind that half of your cup might end up as ice, so the taste of the coffee will change as the ice melts. If you're drinking iced coffee at home, you can fill this cup to make sure your ice doesn't melt as quickly.

What is cold brew coffee?

The benefits of cold brew come down to taste. Unless you're sticking to mass-produced Starbucks or Dunkin' options, every place you go will be different. One cold brew will never taste exactly the same as the next, but all cold brews tend to share similar characteristics—milder, sweeter. Coffee's reputation for bitterness fades away along with the heat. Some days call for a bold flavor, but when you just want to sip and relax, cold brew is ready for you.

 

The best cold brew should be enjoyable without ice, but adding ice to stay cool during an extra-long day shouldn't ruin the flavor too much.

How do you make cold brew coffee?

The difference between cold brew and iced coffee goes back to the process of making each one. It's a long process, but nothing is very complicated. We've discussed before how to make iced coffee and cold brew, which you can find here.

Cold Brew What does it taste like?

Regular iced coffee is more acidic, which for most people leads to the need to add creamer. Too much creamer is just a bunch of sugar and unnecessary calories. That's not to say some acidic coffees don't have rich flavors at the same time, but it's not for everyone.

On the other hand, cold brew tends to have a rich, smooth flavor. When done well, cold brew usually only needs a little milk (even that's a bit much; black cold brew is another kind of magic). If you're trying to cut back on creamer and move more in this direction, cold brew is a great way to get your taste buds used to black coffee.

Why is cold brew coffee so popular?

All cold coffee has changed the game, but it's also worth noting the culture surrounding cold brew. Shops seem to compete over the cutest cold cups and cold drinks.

The difference between iced coffee and cold brew, according to Front Street Coffee: each coffee has its own characteristics and is very delicious. As for which one tastes better, it depends on personal taste, because everyone's taste is different, so there's no absolute answer for which one is better. For example: Mandheling coffee—some people like that herbal taste, while others don't; Kenya coffee—some people like that acidity and berry flavor, while others don't. Front Street Coffee (FrontStreet Coffee) has many varieties of specialty coffee, and everyone is welcome to come and taste!

The above content is compiled by CoffeeHunters, a coffee news website.