Japanese-style iced coffee vs cold brew: Which is best? – CNET [CNET]

August 8, 2021 Thomas Giboney technology

img-20180929-105054 — Cold brew coffee certainly has some things going for it.

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Cold brew

Despite its name this beverage can either be brewed at room temperature or in the fridge. It’s typically made in concentrated form. That means its flavor won’t be diluted by extra ingredients like ice, milk, and chilled water.

The process calls for an approximate coffee grounds to water ratio of 1:4. Commonly used brewing containers include mason jars, a French press or a dedicated cold brew coffee maker. Brewing is complete after the coffee grounds have steeped for 12 to 24 hours. The last step is to filter the brew from the solid grounds.

The result is a super-strong liquid that’s sweet, silky smooth and with no hint of bitterness or acidity. If the thought is making you thirsty, check out our full guide on how to make your own cold brew.

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Japanese-style iced coffee brews up fast.

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Speed

Cold brew coffee takes the longest time to prepare by far. Its 12 to 24 hour brew time requires patience and planning ahead. That’s not for everyone, especially those who need their joe pronto.

By contrast, Japanese-style iced coffee brews in the same amount of time as regular drip (5 to 8 minutes). That alone makes it the top choice for busy morning coffee drinkers.

Winner: Japanese-style iced coffee

Flavor

This next category really comes down to personal preference. Many seek out cold brew for its unique sweetness and lack of acidity. The brewing method tends to conjure deep chocolate notes too, especially from darkly roasted beans.

If you’re a fan of light and medium coffee roasts then cold brew likely isn’t ideal. Coffee roasted this way often requires the brightness of acid to bring out their full flavor profile. And that can only happen during hot brewing.

Winner: Draw

Difficulty and convenience

Cold brew sounds easy to prepare. You just add coffee grounds to water and wait. No heat or special brewer is required. Even so, separating the brewed liquid from solid coffee grounds can be a pain. Unless you invest in a stand-alone cold brew gadget, straining grounds and cleaning up is often messy.