Coffee Concentrate versus Cold Brew: what actually makes them different?

We're calling it: cold coffee season is officially here. But let’s be real, navigating the iced coffee menu can get a bit tricky. You’ve got cold brews, flash brews, concentrates, and iced lattes all around. So which one should you pick (and for what reasons?)

If you’ve been staring at the fridge wondering which bottle actually hits the spot, here's your ultimate breakdown of the two heavyweights in our summer lineup—our Coffee Concentrate and our new wholesale Cold Brew—and exactly what makes them different.

Coffee Concentrate: flash-brewed magic

First things first: our Coffee Concentrate is not a cold brew. We believe that hot water is absolutely essential to pull out a perfectly balanced, complex coffee. So, we brew it hot, then immediately flash-chill it. This shock to the system extracts the full profile and locks in the delicate aromas you’d usually only get from a freshly pulled espresso.

• The beans: We use exceptional coffee from our partners in Minas Gerais, Brazil. It’s incredibly smooth, with notes of dark chocolate, hazelnut, and marzipan.
  

• How to use it: Think of this as instant expertise. It acts exactly like a fresh shot of espresso, minus the expensive equipment. Add ice and milk for an iced latte in seconds, or shake it up with vodka and our Coffee Liqueur for an Espresso Martini that actually tastes like coffee.
  

How to store it: Keep it in the fridge. It’s good for 3 months from purchase, and 28 days once opened (though we highly doubt it'll last that long).

Cold Brew: our slow & steady sweetheart

If the Concentrate is all about hot extraction and a quick chill, our Cold Brew is the exact opposite. Through immersion brewing, this drink is all about patience. We steep coarse coffee grounds in cold water for a solid 18 hours.

• The beans: We've just launched our Cold Brew in 3L Bag-in-Boxes specifically for our wholesale customers, made with The Estate (Fero, Ethiopia).
  

• The taste: A beautifully round, fresh, intense coffee with a much heavier body and massive natural sweetness. Expect notes of milk chocolate, orange, and toffee.
  

• The kick: Thanks to that 18-hour steep, it packs a serious punch (1110 mg/L of caffeine, if you're counting). If you need to shake off a slump, this is the one you should call.
  

• How to use it: Built for high-volume speed, it’s designed to be poured straight from the fridge or tap over ice. Drink it black, add a splash of milk, or throw in a slice of orange.
  

The verdict

So, which one makes the cut? If you want a versatile, punchy espresso substitute to easily whip up iced lattes and cocktails at home, grab the Coffee Concentrate.

If you're running a busy office or café and need a naturally sweet, highly caffeinated brew ready to pour on tap, the 3L Cold Brew BIB is your answer.

Or, do what we do, and just keep both in rotation all summer long! You can get them both now here.