Coffee drinkers throughout the globe, especially those in warmer climates, choose iced coffee and iced lattes. With this popularity, various vendors have come up with other variations to cater to the different preferences of their patrons. Despite their superficial similarity, there are several important distinctions to be aware of before you drink any of these beverages. Knowing these differences will allow you to buy the right drink for your needs.
Coffee Grinds and Espresso
While iced coffee is made with coarsely ground coffee, an iced latte is usually made with espresso, which is a finely ground coffee used to create Italian coffee drinks. Iced coffee drinkers don’t have the option of using espresso because the high-pressure process that creates espresso is unsuitable for a cold beverage.
If you’re drinking an iced latte, you’re likely to find that the taste is stronger than iced coffee, as espresso is more concentrated than coffee. Iced coffee drinkers may want to add a small quantity of sugar or some sweetener to their beverage.
Amount of Milk
In contrast to iced lattes, which often include a significant quantity of milk, iced coffee is typically prepared with just a few tablespoons of milk. Because iced coffee often contains less milk than iced lattes, the latter beverage has a creamier consistency than the former.
Iced lattes, on the other hand, are made with milk. As a result of the added milk, the calorie count of iced lattes will most certainly be much greater than that of iced coffee. Iced coffee consumers may reduce the calories consumed by lowering the milk they add to their beverage or switching to a non-dairy milk option such as almond milk or coconut milk.
The amount of milk added to the beverage may be altered per the preferences of the person drinking it. Milk is something that many like drinking, but some consume far more milk than others do.
Sweetening Options
Although iced coffee is often served without any added sweetener so that it may appeal to customers with a wide variety of tastes, some establishments do provide the option to add sugar or syrup to the beverage. On the other hand, iced lattes usually have some syrup added to them, such as caramel, vanilla, or hazelnut, to add sweetness.
Drinkers of iced coffee always have the option of adding syrup to their beverage in order to make it sweeter. In contrast, iced lattes, on their own, are always excessively sweet and do not need further adjustment.
Preparation Process
The brewing process is where another difference between iced coffee and iced lattes comes out. Iced coffee is made with coarsely ground coffee poured over ice, while iced lattes are made with hot espresso poured over cold milk. The main difference here is the temperature of the beverage.
Iced coffee is brewed at a lower temperature than iced lattes, which means it lacks the same richness and sweetness as its latte counterpart. This means iced coffee has a more bitter taste than an iced latte, which relies on sugar and hazelnut syrup or vanilla extract for flavor. The addition of ice also dilutes the drink’s caffeine content.
Texture and Flavor
Iced coffee is served over ice and therefore has a beverage texture and consistency. In contrast, iced lattes are made with espresso and milk and have a creamy texture, almost like a thick milkshake. The difference in texture is mainly due to the amount of milk used in each drink.
Iced lattes are also often flavored, especially the ones ordered at coffee shops, so there are a few differences in flavor. Iced coffee is usually black, making it a simple drink, while iced lattes are often flavored with syrups that give them a more complex flavor. The specialty coffee beans used to make iced lattes are usually roasted differently than iced coffee, so the quality of each drink is also often different.
If you’re at a coffee shop looking to drink your coffee cold, you should specify whether you want iced coffee or an iced latte. If your drink comes out with a creamy texture instead of a beverage consistency, then it’s likely that you were served an iced latte instead of iced coffee. If you enjoy drinking hot coffee over ice and want to do so in the summer, consider brewing it at home and pouring it over ice to mix things up!
