Are There Differences in Flavor and Taste Between Cold Drip Coffee and Cold Brew Coffee? Can Cold Drip Coffee Be Consumed Directly?

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Many customers visiting FrontStreet Coffee often discuss whether there are taste differences between ice drip coffee and cold brew coffee. Both are common methods of making cold coffee, but these two coffee brewing methods and flavor profiles have different characteristics. Below, FrontStreet Coffee will provide a detailed introduction to the differences between ice drip and cold brew!

Different Brewing Methods

Simply put, ice drip coffee is a drip extraction method, while cold brew coffee is an immersion extraction method.

Ice drip coffee is made by allowing ice water to drip drop by drop through the coffee grounds, extracting rich coffee substances. The process is quite lengthy and requires professional ice drip equipment. FrontStreet Coffee's typical parameters for making ice drip coffee are: 60 grams of coffee, ground finer than pour-over coffee (85% pass-through rate on a #20 sieve), dripping at a rate of 7 drops every 10 seconds, producing 600ml of ice drip coffee over approximately 6 hours. The finished coffee liquid should be stored in the refrigerator for 12 hours before consumption.

Many friends ask FrontStreet Coffee how much water and ice to add. Regarding this question, FrontStreet Coffee explains that as long as you ensure it's a mixture of ice and water throughout the entire process, it will be fine. This is because we use a method where extraction stops once the target amount of coffee liquid is reached, so excess ice water in the upper chamber won't affect the coffee liquid.

Cold brew coffee, also known as cold brew, as the name suggests, is extracted by steeping coffee in cold water. FrontStreet Coffee recommends using a coffee-to-water ratio of 1:12, with the coffee ground slightly finer than pour-over (85% pass-through rate on a #20 sieve). Place the coffee grounds in a sealed bottle, add 12 parts of water, shake well, and refrigerate for 12 hours. Then use filtration equipment to filter out the coffee grounds thoroughly. Store the clean coffee liquid in the refrigerator for 4 hours before consumption.

Different Appearances and Flavors

Due to the differences in brewing methods, they also exhibit different appearances and flavor profiles. Ice drip coffee has a clearer and more transparent appearance.

In terms of flavor, the same coffee beans will also perform differently. Ice drip coffee, which has undergone overnight fermentation, will have stronger fermentation notes, tasting fresher with distinct fermented wine-like flavors. Cold brew coffee retains more of the coffee bean's original flavors (for example, coffee beans with fruity characteristics will retain rich fruit flavors), with a richer and fuller mouthfeel.

Flavor Comparison Using the Same Coffee Beans

Using the same light roast FrontStreet Coffee washed Yirgacheffe to make both ice drip coffee and cold brew coffee, their flavor profiles are as follows:

Ice Drip Flavor:

Refreshing, clean mouthfeel, rich fermentation notes with some wine-like characteristics. Slight berry-like sweetness and acidity.

Cold Brew Flavor:

Relatively full-bodied mouthfeel, more uniform flavor profile, with very noticeable fruit sweetness. The fermentation sensation is not as strong.

Ice drip coffee and cold brew coffee each have their own merits. If you want to explore the cold coffee flavor profile of coffee beans, you might try cold brew coffee. If you're interested in the unique characteristics expressed through the brewing method, why not give ice drip coffee a try.

Important Notice :

前街咖啡 FrontStreet Coffee has moved to new addredd:

FrontStreet Coffee Address: 315,Donghua East Road,GuangZhou

Tel:020 38364473