Brewing an iced coffee requires a more delicate balance than a hot cup. Starbucks baristas are masters at making cold coffee drinks that are blended to perfection. The process for making iced coffee requires mastering more than a few key steps in perfecting the drink.
First, the beans for iced coffee need to be ground a bit coarser than for hot coffee. This allows for more area on the bean to come into contact with the hot water, providing more overall flavor. Secondly, what temperature the water should be when steeping the grounds is important. For iced coffee, the water should be slightly cooler than the standard temperature of 205 degrees Fahrenheit. This not only creates a sweeter, more flavorful cup, but it also eliminates the acidity of the coffee.
The ideal steep time for cold coffee also differs from hot. Instead of brewing for three to five minutes, Starbucks baristas use a modified cold-water process that can take up to thirty minutes or longer. This allows the flavor of the coffee to release slowly and consistently. After the time has elapsed, the filter is then submerged in cold water ending the brewing process.
Next, the brewed coffee is left to cool for at least two hours. This helps the ice to cool the coffee more quickly after it is poured. By allowing the liquid to cool on its own, it also retains more of the flavor profile and body of the drink than if it were poured into a cold cup. Finally, the art of pouring the coffee over the cold milk and ice comes into play. If a barista pours too quickly, the milk and ice might get watery, and if poured too slowly, the milk might not properly mix.
Starbucks iced coffee is a complex process that takes a bit of time and skill to perfect. Yet, the result is an amazingly fresh and flavorful iced beverage. With their experience creating iced coffee, Starbucks baristas have mastered the art of Coffeehouse Cool.
Brewing Cold Brew Coffee
Starbuck’s cold brew coffee is made with a different process than their traditional iced coffee. This method is done with coarsely ground coffee that is steeped in cold water for up to twenty-four hours. The process of steeping for longer results in a less acidic, and milder cup with a deep, rich flavor.
The process starts by grinding the beans, and then a filter is inserted into a container to be filled with cold water. The grounds and water are stirred together, and then the container is put in the refrigerator and left to rest for up to twenty-four hours. The grounds gradually release their flavor into the cold water, creating a delicious cup of coffee.
Once the grounds have steeped, the coffee is filtered and then kept either in a keg or bottle before being served. At Starbucks, the cold brew coffee is poured straight into a cup of ice cubes. Milk and sweeteners can also be added if desired.
The low acidity of cold brew coffee makes it a great substitute for those who may have difficulty drinking acidic drinks. While cold brew coffee is more of an acquired taste, the creamy, smooth flavor is one that many people, especially coffee enthusiasts, enjoy.
Starbucks serves its cold brew coffee all year round, however, the chain does give customers the option of adding it to other popular drinks. The coffee chain hosts a selection of cold brew coffee-infused lattes and blended drinks that customers can enjoy if they’re feeling adventurous.
Adding Extras To Starbucks Coffee
At Starbucks, customers can add extras to their coffee to customize their experience. This could include anything from adding dairy or dairy alternatives to using syrups or flavorings. Toppings such as whipped cream and flavored sprinkles are also available.
Starbucks’ range of dairy alternatives is extensive, featuring options such as oat, almond and coconut milks. Most of these milks are also available in light and nonfat versions, giving customers more choice when it comes to their coffee.
Adding syrups is another way to customize a Starbucks coffee. Most of these syrups are made with cane sugar and are free of preservatives and artificial flavors. Popular flavors include vanilla, caramel, almond and raspberry. Customers can also add chai-flavored syrups to their drinks for a unique flavor.
Aside from syrups, Starbucks also has a range of flavored powders that can be added to beverages such as hot chocolate or caramel macchiatos. These powders come in interesting flavors such as salted caramel and mocha coconut.
Adding extras to iced coffee drinks can make them more enjoyable. For example, if someone was to add salted caramel to an iced latte, the combination of cold, sweet and salty ensures a delicious, balanced cup of coffee. It is the customer’s choice of when, and how much of, extra ingredients they can add.
Coffee Making Equipment
Starbucks has a range of tools and equipment that can be used both in-house and in the home, to make perfect coffee. Starbucks baristas are trained in the knowledge of coffee making and the use of all the equipment.
The type of coffee a customer chooses will determine which equipment to use. For example, if someone wants an espresso-based drink, a machine must be used. Whereas if someone orders an Americano, a manual machine may be used.
Starbucks also sells their own coffee making equipment for those who want to brew coffee at home. The popular coffee chain stocks machines such as espresso makers, coffee grinders, frothers and coffee presses. They also stock manual coffee makers, aeropress, pour-over coffee makers and cold brewers.
The coffee chain also offers machines tailored to match their customers’ individual preferences. For example, they sell most of their espresso machines in various sizes and models. This allows customers to choose their own machine based on the size of their kitchen, budget and coffee preferences.
Starbucks’ assortment of coffee-making equipment could be overwhelming for some customers. Nevertheless, the chain does offer instructions for each product. They can also provide advice for any customers who are uncertain about which machine is best for them.
Grinding Coffee Beans
Grinding coffee beans is an important stage when brewing the perfect cup of coffee, and even more so for iced coffee. The larger the grind, the more surface area there is for the water to extract the flavor from the beans.
Starbucks’ Baristas use their own unique blend of beans, along with their own specific grinder. A custom Starbucks grinder is used to grind the beans, as it has a range of different grind settings that allow the barista to customize the grind based on the type of coffee. For example, if a customer orders iced coffee, the beans will need to be ground a bit coarser than for a hot cup.
The grinder is designed to adapt to temperature changes, so the grind size remains consistent during different times of the year. The grinder also has a built-in timer, so the barista will know exactly how long the beans need to be ground for.
Starbucks recommends that customers try grinding their own coffee beans at home. This will ensure a more consistent grind size and will allow for more of the flavor to be extracted from the beans. The chain also sells home grinders for those who want to replicate the Starbucks experience at home.
Storing Coffee Beans
Once Starbucks’ beans have been ground, they need to be stored correctly to ensure they remain fresh. The chain suggests using an air-tight container, and keeping it dry, dark and cool. The container should be stored away from direct sunlight and any sources of heat, as too much heat and moisture can cause the beans to go bad.
It’s also important to use the beans within one to two weeks of grinding for best results. Storing beans for longer than this is not recommended as the oxidation process will begin and the flavour of the coffee will start to deteriorate.
Starbucks’ baristas also recommend buying smaller quantities of coffee beans and grinding them only when needed. This way, the flavour of the beans will remain intact and the drink will be as fresh as possible.
Storing coffee beans correctly is an important part of the coffee-making process. Starbucks’ baristas are trained in the best way to store beans and grind them to ensure the best tasting cup of iced coffee each and every time.
