What’s the Deal With Cold Brew?

Cold brew. You’ve seen it in mason jars, on café menus, and probably in your coworker’s weird motivational water bottle. But what is cold brew, really—and why does everyone suddenly think they’re a coffee connoisseur just because they steeped beans in the fridge overnight?

Let’s break it down. The hype, the flavour, and the reason your cold brew might taste like chocolate-covered dreams—or straight-up battery acid.

First Off, How the Heck Is Cold Brew Made?

Cold brew isn’t just iced coffee. (If you learn one thing here, let it be that.) Iced coffee is hot coffee poured over ice, which is usually a one-way ticket to watery disappointment.

Cold brew, on the other hand, is brewed using cold water—usually over 12 to 24 hours. Coarse-ground beans are steeped like a tea, filtered out, and what you’re left with is a concentrated coffee that’s smoother, naturally sweeter, and way less acidic than your average hot cup.

Why Is It Less Acidic?

Science time. Hot water pulls acidity and bitterness out of coffee faster. Cold water, being the chill one in the relationship, extracts flavour more slowly and skips over some of those harsher acids.

The result? Cold brew is typically up to 60% less acidic than hot brewed coffee. That’s great news if you’ve got a sensitive stomach, or if you just don’t want your morning coffee to punch you in the throat.

So Why Does Cold Brew Taste So Damn Good?

When made right—with the right beans—cold brew can taste like melted chocolate, brown sugar, stone fruit, or even subtle floral notes. It’s bold but not bitter. Sweet but not sugary. Strong but not sour. It's basically coffee's cool older cousin who shows up late to brunch but brings really good vibes.

But here’s the catch...

...It Can Also Taste Like Garbage

We said what we said. Cold brew made with the wrong roast—or worse, the wrong beans entirely—can taste flat, musty, sour, or weirdly dusty.

Lighter roasts can be tricky. They sometimes lack the body and sweetness needed for cold extraction. And overly acidic beans? Those are just begging to go sideways when brewed cold.

Here at Silver Scooter Coffee Co., we use medium to medium-dark roasts with big, bold, balanced flavours. Our cold brew blends are roasted with cold steeping in mind—rich enough to shine without heat, smooth enough to sip straight, and strong enough to hold up to milk or alt-milks (if you’re that person). Right now our favourite roast for cold brew is Pleasure Cruise. You gotta try it. 

Pro Tips for Brewing It Right

Want to make killer cold brew at home? Here’s your no-nonsense guide:

• Use coarse ground beans. Like breadcrumbs, not sand. Finer grinds will over-extract and make your cold brew cloudy and bitter.

• Use filtered water. Your tap water has personality, and it’s not always the good kind.

• Steep for 12-24 hours in the fridge, not at room temp. Trust us.

• Dilute to taste. Cold brew concentrate is strong. Mix it 1:1 with water or milk before sipping, unless you're trying to blast off.

The Verdict: Cold Brew Is Worth the Hype (If You Do It Right)

Cold brew can be a total flavour bomb—but only if you use fresh roasted coffee that’s meant to be steeped slow and cold. Don’t just grab whatever’s lying around. And please, don’t think that giant jug from the grocery store is even in the same league.

Want to try cold brew the Silver Scooter way? We’ve got roasts ready to chill. Bold, balanced, and anything but boring.