Iced coffee
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Iced coffee as sold in the United States is a cold variant of the normally hot beverage, coffee.
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[edit] Preparation
Brew coffee, any type, any brew style, any way you desire. Add ice, and enjoy cold coffee. Some coffeshops freeze coffee, making coffee "ice" cubes, rather than using water ice cubes.
Iced Coffee is commonly brewed stronger than hot coffee to make up for the melting ice. Without a stronger brew, the ice coffee quickly becomes weak and watery.
[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 and 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] Other countries
[edit] Australia
In Australia, iced coffee is a flavoured milk drink more similar to Gloria Jeans Mocha Chillas and Starbucks' Frappuccino in the United States 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 and is often compared to a milk shake.
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 Coca-Cola, but less sugar.[citation needed]
Iced coffee has been sold commercially in Australia since the late 19th century in the form of a syrup, and more recently as a prepackaged drink that is ready to consume as soon as it is opened. An example of a ready-made iced coffee is Ice Break, a milk product by Parmalat with added caffeine and flavoured with real 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 wold-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]
[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 drunk both cold and hot, but it was usually drunk cold then.
[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 Asian 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[1], 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.
