Iced coffee season is upon us and there seems there is one big question being asked:
“What kind of iced coffee would you like?”
Since us crazy Third Waver Coffee people had to get our hands on every aspect of coffee, you have lost the ability to simply order an iced coffee without being subjected to follow up questions (Regular? Cold brew? New Orleans Style?). And we apologize. Genuinely. But now, you have been given not only options but according to some iced drinkers, better options.
“Regular Iced Coffee” is brewed hot and served over ice. Since our preferred brewing method at Coffee Corral is the Pour-Over, we implement the “Japanese Iced Method”. This allows us the ability to offer all of our single origins iced, as well as brew it fresh. Despite what might happen when pouring a whole cup of hot coffee over ice (it melts and waters down your coffee); the pour over is a slower, more controlled method of pouring (as well as brewing) and therefore does not melt the ice all at once. The perks? You’ve maintained the aroma, flavor, and appealing acidity from hot to cold. This is your “regular” iced coffee.
Cold Brew has officially swooned its’ spectators and has a cheering squad following it around most coffee shops in North America these days. This overtly simple method is done by letting coarsely ground coffee sit from 10 to 15 hours in cold water and, as you can imagine, brew. The heat used in brewing hot coffee is being replaced by the time used to brew, well, cold. What do you get? A super, super smooth concentrate with intense choclatey notes. Our favorite to use is our Sulawesi; though, we encourage you to experiment at home! Ethiopian, Nicaraguan, and Bali are some of our baristas’ recommendations. My personal favorite aspect of cold brew is the ability to stumble down my stairs at 5:06 with one eye open, after hitting the snooze button twice, and be able to have a coffee in my hand by 5:07. Brew it, store it, add 2/3 water to the concentrate and you have coffee. Just. Like. That.
Now that you think you’ve figured it all out, we’re going to throw one more at you: New Orleans Style Iced Coffee. At Coffee Corral, we choose to offer NOS two ways: done with the Japanese Iced Method and done by cold brewing. The common denominator? Both are brewed with chicory, giving it a unique peppery taste. We’re going to level with you, this is a hate it or love it combo. However, if you love it, you just might never be able to go back. Add some milk and simple sugar to this Third Wave combo to make it “Traditional” and you’re starting your day off strong.
The good news? You have approximately four months to figure out which iced coffee you prefer. But if you’re anything like us, you won’t be able to just choose one…
