I have always been a hot coffee woman.
It can be 95 degrees outside, and I will still happily start my morning with a warm cup of freshly brewed coffee. But when I do reach for something cold, it is going to be cold brew.
Not iced coffee.
Yes, they are both cold. Yes, they are both served over ice. But they are not the same drink.
Cold brew is made differently, tastes different and creates a completely different coffee experience. That is exactly why we created Legacy, the first cold brew from Me Time Coffee®.
What Is Cold Brew?
Cold brew is coffee that is brewed using cold or room-temperature water over an extended period of time.
Instead of using hot water to quickly extract the coffee, cold brew grounds are steeped slowly for approximately 12 to 16 hours. The finished coffee is then strained and served over ice.
That slow brewing method creates a cup that is often smoother, less sharp and full of flavor.
Cold brew is not a specific type of coffee bean or roast. It is a brewing method.
Just like coffee can be prepared as espresso, pour-over or drip coffee, it can also be prepared as cold brew. The grind size, coffee-to-water ratio and brewing time all affect the final cup.
Cold Brew vs. Iced Coffee
Traditional iced coffee is usually brewed hot and then poured over ice.
Because it begins as hot coffee, it can carry some of the sharper flavors associated with hot extraction. The melting ice may also begin diluting the drink before you have had a chance to enjoy it.
Cold brew is steeped cold from the beginning.
This produces a different flavor experience. It is often smoother, naturally sweeter and easier to enjoy without covering the coffee in flavored syrup, sugar or heavy cream.
That does not mean you cannot add your favorite creamer. It simply means the coffee already has enough flavor to stand on its own.
Why Cold Brew Tastes Smoother
Hot water extracts coffee quickly. It pulls out oils, aromas, acidity and flavor compounds in a short amount of time.
Cold water works more slowly.
The extended brewing process creates a concentrated, full-flavored coffee without the same sharp bite some people experience with traditional iced coffee.
That smoother taste is one of the reasons cold brew has become a favorite among coffee drinkers who thought they needed several pumps of syrup to enjoy a cold coffee.
You may discover that you did not dislike coffee.
You disliked poorly brewed coffee.
Meet Legacy Cold Brew
Legacy is made with a specialty-grade African espresso blend featuring coffees from Uganda and Ethiopia.
The Ugandan coffee brings notes of brown sugar, caramel and vanilla. The Ethiopian coffee adds floral, berry and vanilla characteristics.
Together, they create a bold cold brew with enough flavor to enjoy black and enough depth to hold its own with milk, cream or your favorite cold foam.
We selected this blend because cold brewing can soften certain flavors. Legacy begins with enough complexity and strength to remain flavorful after steeping and serving over ice.
This is not weak coffee poured into a cup of ice.
This is coffee made specifically for the cold brew experience.
How to Enjoy Legacy
Legacy can be prepared as a ready-to-drink cold brew or as a concentrate.
For a ready-to-drink 32-ounce pitcher, use 3.5 ounces (100 grams) of coarse-ground coffee. Add the coffee to your pitcher, fill the remainder with cold water and stir gently to make sure all the grounds are wet. Cover and refrigerate for 12 to 16 hours before straining.
For a stronger cold brew concentrate, use 6.4 ounces (180 grams) of coarse-ground coffee in a 32-ounce pitcher. Fill the remainder with cold water, stir gently and refrigerate for 12 to 16 hours. After steeping and straining, combine equal parts concentrate and water or milk when serving.
Always use a coarse grind with a texture similar to coarse sea salt. Coffee that is ground too finely can create a cloudy, bitter or difficult-to-strain cold brew.
Cold Coffee Should Still Taste Like Coffee
A cold coffee should not become flavorless as soon as the ice begins to melt.
It should not require excessive sugar to make it enjoyable.
And it should not taste like yesterday’s leftover coffee sitting in the refrigerator.
Cold brew is intentional. It is slowly prepared, full of flavor and ready when you are.
Pour it over ice before work. Add your favorite milk during your afternoon break. Enjoy it black while you sit in the quiet for ten minutes before the day begins asking things from you.
Cold brew is not just iced coffee with a different name.
It is the better iced coffee.
Ready to taste the difference?
Shop Legacy Cold Brew from Me Time Coffee® and keep a flavorful cold coffee waiting in your refrigerator.
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