How to make iced coffee

2023-03-28 09:02:56 By : Ms. Lisa Qiao

In the world of coffee, there’s a big difference between cold brewed coffee and hot coffee gone cold. One is delicious and refreshing while the other is bitter and generally unpalatable. The reason for that is a chemical reaction that happens when hot coffee cools, exposing its bitterness and overt acidity. 

When that cooling process happens rapidly over ice, it’s less likely to produce unappetizing results, but the quality of the coffee matters. Lower quality coffees really only taste good hot, so cooling them will only exacerbate their less-than-stellar characteristics. Higher quality coffees, or those roasted specifically to be iced, will maintain good flavor even when rapidly cooled.  Fruit Juicer

How to make iced coffee

The best method for making cold coffee that tastes as good as its hot counterpart is cold brewing. This is the process of slowly steeping coarsely ground coffee in cold water for a long period of time–usually 12 to 24 hours. Since this coffee is never exposed to heat, it doesn’t experience any of those chemical reactions that negatively impact flavor. 

Making cold brew is technically even easier than making hot coffee because it doesn’t require a machine. Just combine 1 ounce of coarsely ground coffee for every 1 cup water in a large container (this is a ratio you can adjust to your own tastes over time). A large mason jar works, but we recommend the Takeya Deluxe Cold Brew Coffee Maker because you won’t need a strainer or coffee filters. 

Steep the grounds for 12 to 24 hours, depending on your taste preferences, shaking or stirring the mixture every so often. If you’re using a mason jar or other large container, strain the mixture through a fine mesh strainer lined with a coffee filter. If you’re using a dedicated cold brew maker, pour over ice and enjoy! 

If you don’t have the patience for this method, be sure to pour your high-quality hot coffee over a large quantity of ice to cool it down completely and quickly. 

►Coffee tips: The science of cold coffee and why you need to brew it right.

►Iced coffee at home: Precise measurements and exacting supplies for your best iced coffee.

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How to make iced coffee

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