Does Iced Coffee Justify Its Extra Cost Or Are Consumers Being Overcharged? – CoffeeTalk

Rabbit Island Coffee, a Motueka-based coffee roaster, offers a variety of iced drinks, including espresso-based and cold brews. The company sells beans wholesale to cafes and focuses on coffee accessories while also serving cold brew and high-end hot filtered coffee. The hot coffee costs $5 in a 240ml cup with unlimited refills, while cold brew costs $7 for 360ml, with 70g of that being ice. Cold brew is made in concentrated form by allowing coffee to permeate the water for about 24 hours, creating a rich flavor. Nitro brew is cold brew infused with nitrogen that comes out of a tap like beer.

Lloyd encourages customers to try the cold brew black to get the full experience, as it requires a good bean. He plans to install a kegerator to serve nitro brew, which has been popular in the US but not yet taken off in New Zealand. The nitrogen-infused cold coffee comes out with a crema similar to a Guinness beer, providing a fluffier, richer type flavor versus the clean taste of the cold brew.

Asia Coffee in Whangārei also offers espresso-based iced coffees at around $7, with most people having theirs white rather than black. Milk that goes in is flat rather than steamed, meaning more milk is needed. Milk alternatives like almond, soy, or oat milk will likely add to the cost of iced coffee.

Ice is a dilemma for many coffee shops, as an ice machine can cost hundreds of dollars and take up valuable space in a tightly fitted shop. Most cafes buy ice bags from a supermarket or supplier, but Lloyd at Rabbit Island Coffee has found that ice made from unfiltered water messes with the flavor of his cold brew. He has a deal with a local café that supplies him with ice made from filtered water.