Iced coffee
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Iced coffee is a cold variant of the normally hot beverage coffee.
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[edit] Preparation
There are several ways of preparing iced coffee. Ordinary hot-brewed coffee can be served cold, although this may result in a bitter-tasting product. Cold brewing relies on time, rather than heat, to transfer the coffee flavor to the water. In order to achieve this, ground coffee is soaked in water for hours and then filtered. This may be done in any container, such as a mason jar, although commercialized cold brewing systems also exist[1].
In more recent times it has become common for coffee shops to offer 'iced' versions of their most popular coffee drinks. The iced latte and iced mocha are the two most common examples of this. A quick way of preparing such drinks is to make a small quantity of strong, hot espresso, dissolving the required sweetener/flavorings in the hot liquid and then pouring this directly into a cup of ice cold milk. This method is particularly common in busier coffee shops where rapid customer turnover is required.
[edit] Serving
Depending on the brewing method, iced coffee can be served already chilled, or poured hot, double strength, over an equal amount of ice. Because sugar does not dissolve readily into cold liquids, it must be added either directly to the hot base, or to the finished product in the form of simple syrup, which can be made by mixing quantities of water, dairy, soymilk and/or sugar, then simmering over low heat until the desired viscosity is attained. Instead of sugar, most synthetic substitutes such as aspartame (Equal, Nutrasweet) or sucralose (Splenda) will dissolve readily into cold coffee.
[edit] Variations by Country
[edit] Australia
In Australia, iced coffee is a cold flavoured milk drink as opposed to simply coffee that has been chilled or cold-brewed. Home made iced coffee is often served with ice cream and whipped cream. The result is something like an un-blended milk shake.
There are many restaurants and cafes which also serve iced coffee made from chilled coffee and water (with or without ice) with ice cream, syrup, cream and cocoa powder or coffee beans on top.
Some commercial varieties of iced coffee are made from real coffee while others contain only coffee flavouring. Most commercial varieties of Australian iced coffee have 2-3 times the caffeine of cola.
Iced coffee has been sold commercially in Australia since the late 19th century in the form of a syrup, an example of which is Bushells Coffe and Chickory Essence, and more recently as a prepackaged, ready to consume drink.
One popular brand is Farmer's Union Iced Coffee, which outsells Coca Cola in South Australia and has become an official icon and legend in that state [2] This particular brand is now widely available in Queensland (as far north as Mackay), Northern Territory, Victoria, New South Wales and Tasmania. The product is not yet available in Western Australia.
Pauls Iced Coffee is the second most popular drink in the Northern Territory, after beer. It is not available outside of the Northern Territory, save for rare instances when it is sold in Dili, East Timor.[citation needed]
Other varieties include Big M, Ice Break, Brownes Iced Coffee Chill, Brownes Coffee Chill, Brownes Dome Cappucino Supershake, Brownes Mocha Chill, Dare, Masters Espresso, Masters Iced Coffee and Max Iced Coffee.
The formulation of the original Max Iced Coffee was changed in September 2001 from full cream milk to low fat. Despite a number of appeals by consumers to the Max Iced Coffee owners (Dairy Farmers) to switch back to the full cream formulation, the low fat variety has remained as the only available Max Iced Coffee in South Australia. However, in other parts of Australia, full cream Max Iced Coffee is still available (known as Oak Iced Coffee).
[edit] Germany
In Germany there are different types of Eiskaffee (iced coffee). The most widespread form is a flavoured milk drink similar to Australian iced coffee, generally spelled as Eiscafé (from the French café) and available in German coffeehouses and in Eisdielen (ice-cream parlours). However, this type of iced coffee is rarely available in German supermarkets. The most widespread form of iced coffee in supermarkets is a canned version from a variety of brands with different flavours such as Cappuccino and Espresso. This iced coffee is very similar to the canned iced coffee in the UK and in the case of some brands (particularly Nestlé) actually the same product.
[edit] Greece
In Greece one of the most popular coffees is a variation of iced coffee, called Frappé invented by Yiannis Dritsas. Its is stirred in an electric mixer and thus has a foam on top. Milk is optional. It became well-known during the Athens 2004 Olympic Games when many tourists became fond of it and an article on the Los Angeles Times was written about it.[1]
Other popular cold coffee beverages in Greece are espresso and capuccino freddo.
[edit] Israel
Iced Coffee, or "Ice Caffe" as pronounced in Hebrew, is more of a coffee slushie with blended ice and not simply chilled coffee.
[edit] Italy
In Italy Nestlé introduced the Greek frappé coffee under its Nescafé Red Cup line, with the name Red Cup Iced Coffee.
[edit] Japan
In Japan, iced coffee (アイスコーヒー iced coffee in Japanese) has been drunk since Taishō period (around 1920s) in coffee shops. It is served with gum syrup and milk. Cold tea was already popular, so it was natural to drink cold coffee. In 1969, UCC Ueshima Coffee released canned coffee, which made coffee available everywhere. Today, Japanese canned coffee is consumed both cold and hot.
[edit] Thailand
Thai iced coffee is brewed using strong black coffee, sweetened with sugar, heavy cream (or half-and-half) and cardamom, and quickly cooled and served over ice. Some variations are brewed using espresso. Thai iced coffee can be served with whipped cream on top for a layered effect, and garnished with cinnamon, vanilla and/or anise. It is a common menu item at Thai restaurants and works well after a spicy meal.
[edit] United Kingdom
In United Kingdom, iced coffee comes in a variety of forms. There is a canned version, produced by Nestlé, who make a variety of flavours such as Cappuccino and Mochaccino. These cans are found in most (if not all) supermarkets and are usually found in the tea/coffee aisle, as opposed to being ready chilled, which is meant to be done by the customer at their own home. The second type of iced coffee comes in a glass bottle, this version is made by a small company called Cafe Met[3], they produce Chocolatte, Hazelatte and Mochalatte varieties. The bottles are found in chilled cabinets and must be kept chilled at all times, likely due to the content of fresh milk. A further type is offered by Dinkum [2], and is aimed at the mobile vendor market.
[edit] Vietnam
Vietnamese iced coffee is drip coffee with condensed milk served over ice. In Vietnam, it is typical to use a coffee press to brew the dark-roasted beans often used to make iced coffee. It is generally a sweeter, heavier drink than its Thai counterpart.
[edit] India
"Cold coffee" has become an extremely popular drink in India over the last several years. Typically it consists of Nescafe instant coffee mixed with cold milk in a blender, producing a thin, coffee-flavored smoothie. A more upscale version is popular in the espresso bar chains Barrista and Cafe Coffee Day. This is made with a shot of espresso and cold milk, like a latte.
[edit] See also
[edit] References
- ^ ICED COFFEE? NO SWEAT New York Times, June 27, 2007 (subscription req.)
- ^ Icons & Legends. Government of South Australia.
- ^ Cafe Met's official website
[edit] External links
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