For coffee enthusiasts, even scorching weather can't deter the craving for that perfect cup of joe.

If you're stuck indoors and craving an iced coffee, don't worry.

You can still savor a refreshing, cold cup of iced coffee with just a few simple tools: coffee beans, basic hand-brewing equipment, and ice.

The question is, should you add the ice before or after brewing your coffee? Let's explore this.

Preparation

1. Ice: Ice is the essential ingredient.

2. Coffee beans.

3. Hand-brewing equipment: You'll need a V60 filter cup, filter paper, a pour-over kettle, an electronic scale, a thermometer, and a hand-brewing pot.

The Brewing Process

Adding Ice First:

1. Begin by adding 15g of coffee powder, 120g of ice, and 120g of hot water. Make sure to pre-rinse the filter paper, and there's no need to warm your cups or pots.

2. Select the water temperature and grind. Opt for a 92°C water temperature, slightly higher than the usual hand-poured coffee temperature. Grind the coffee beans finer than you typically would for hand-poured coffee.

3. Pour 30g of hot water and let it steep for 30 seconds. You can adjust the extraction rate by experimenting with stirring or extending the steeping time.

4. Complete the process within one minute. Ensure that the water level doesn't rise too high, avoiding contact with the edge of the filter paper.

Adding Ice After Brewing:

1. Start with 15g of coffee powder and 120g of hot water. No need to pre-warm your cups or pots.

2. Use the same water temperature and grind as mentioned before, aiming for a 92°C water temperature and a finer grind.

3. Add 30g of hot water and let it steep for 30 seconds, making adjustments as needed to control the extraction rate.

4. Continue with the regular hand-brewing process.

5. Wait for the coffee to finish brewing. Since the grind is finer, the filtering process may be slower, but it won't over-extract the flavor. This gradual extraction will maintain a fresh and bright flavor profile.

6. The entire extraction process should take around a minute and a half. Shake the coffee liquid evenly, then add 120g of ice to cool it down.

What's the difference in flavor?

Adding Ice First: When ice is added initially, each portion of the extracted liquid directly contacts the ice, instantly cooling and preserving the flavors. This results in a cleaner taste, heightened acidity, a stronger coffee aroma, and a hint of floral notes, making it incredibly refreshing.

Adding Ice After Brewing: With this method, the extraction is complete before adding ice, allowing for gradual melting and dilution. The aroma leans towards acidity, and the taste transitions smoothly from strong to mild while retaining the floral and fruity notes.

In summary, when using a reasonable water-to-coffee ratio, the flavor difference between adding ice first and later isn't significant. However, variations in ice quantity and melting speed can occur when brewing at home.

As long as it falls within a reasonable range, whether you add ice first or later, you'll still enjoy the essence of your coffee beans.