Hot isn’t it? We hate to talk about the weather… but it's hard to avoid at the moment! 

We love when the sun comes out and this summer, it looks to be coming out with a vengeance! But as coffee lovers everywhere know, there’s a couple of ways to cool down with our favourite beverage… but we face an important question: cold brew or iced coffee?

At Ueshima Coffee Company, we're passionate about helping people discover exceptional coffee, crafted the Japanese way. So, if you've ever wondered what separates these two refreshing favourites, here's everything you need to know.

First Things First: They're Not the Same Thing

Despite often being grouped together, cold brew and iced coffee are made using completely different brewing methods.

Iced coffee starts life as hot coffee. The coffee is brewed using hot water and then cooled before being served over ice. Depending on the brewing method, this can result in a bright, vibrant cup that retains many of the coffee's aromatic characteristics. Our coffee masters often describe iced coffee as having a livelier flavour profile because the hot brewing process extracts more of the coffee's delicate aromas.

Cold brew, on the other hand, is brewed entirely without heat. Coffee grounds are steeped in cold water for several hours (often anywhere from 8 to 18 hours) before being filtered. The result is typically smoother, less acidic, and naturally sweeter than traditionally brewed coffee.

For those at the back or who have nodded off in the heat…

• Iced coffee = brewed hot, served cold

• Cold brew = brewed cold from the start

Do they taste different?

Well, yes. If you're looking for a coffee that showcases bright, complex flavours, iced coffee may be your perfect match.

Because hot water extracts more aromatic compounds from the beans, iced coffee often delivers more pronounced acidity, fruit notes and floral characteristics.

Cold brew tends to be smoother and more mellow. The extended cold extraction creates a richer body with lower perceived acidity and a naturally sweet finish.

Neither is better than the other, definitely not in our opinion, it simply depends on your taste preferences and what you're craving on a hot day.

Chill. We've Got You. 

When the weather heats up, you just want things to be nice and easy don't you?

That's where our ready-to-drink coffee range comes in.

Our Iced Latte is crafted for coffee lovers looking for a balanced and refreshing drink with notes of smooth chocolate and sweet toffee. Best served chilled, it's ready to enjoy whether you're commuting, heading to the park or simply relaxing in the garden. With just 75 calories per can, and lower sugar content than other canned coffee, so that ex coffee of yours? We're not the same. 

A Matcha Made In Japan

And if you're looking for something a little different, our Iced Matcha Latte delivers a sweet taste with delicate matcha notes and a hint of white chocolate. Served cold, it's an ideal choice for sunny afternoons and offers a refreshing alternative to traditional iced coffee drinks.

Not Sure Which Cold Coffee to Choose?  

Here’s our advice.

Choose iced coffee if you enjoy:

• Brighter, more aromatic coffee flavours

• A refreshing coffee experience with character and complexity

• Coffee that highlights the unique qualities of the beans

Choose cold brew if you enjoy:

• Smooth, mellow flavour

• Lower perceived acidity

• A naturally sweet, easy-drinking cup

Or, if you'd rather skip the brewing altogether and spend more time enjoying the sunshine, reach for a chilled Ueshima ready to drink Canned Iced Coffee and let us do the hard work for you. After all, with weather like this, there is no time to waste! Great coffee should be ready when you are.

Shop our Canned Iced Coffee Range Now >>>