All Recommendations
Counter Culture Hologram
$$Flavor: Bright, fruity, chocolate finish
Why it works: Fruity notes shine when cold, balanced sweetness
Best for: Iced pour-over, cold brew
Stumptown Hair Bender
$$Flavor: Citrus, dark chocolate, caramel
Why it works: Complex flavors hold up to ice dilution
Best for: Iced lattes, cold brew
Blue Bottle Giant Steps
$$$Flavor: Chocolate, stone fruit, creamy
Why it works: Rich body cuts through milk and ice
Best for: Iced lattes, iced americanos
Onyx Coffee Lab Tropical Weather
$$$Flavor: Tropical fruit, bright, sweet
Why it works: Designed specifically for cold brewing
Best for: Cold brew, iced pour-over
Peet's Baridi Blend
$Flavor: Bright, citrus, floral
Why it works: Affordable, designed for cold brew
Best for: Cold brew, budget option
Roast Level Guide
Light Roast
Bright, fruity, can be tea-like
Pros: Complex flavors, interesting cold
Cons: May taste sour if under-extracted
Best method: Cold brew, Japanese iced
Medium Roast
Balanced, versatile
Pros: Works with all iced methods
Cons: Less distinct character
Best method: All methods
Medium-Dark Roast
Rich, chocolatey, bold
Pros: Stands up to milk and ice
Cons: Can taste flat without milk
Best method: Iced lattes, iced mochas
Dark Roast
Smoky, bitter, bold
Pros: Strong flavor through dilution
Cons: Can be harsh, bitter cold
Best method: Iced americanos (with caution)
Flavor Profile Guide
Fruity/Bright
Examples: Ethiopian, Kenyan origins
Iced result: Refreshing, complex, tea-like
Pairs with: Light milk, simple syrup
Chocolatey/Nutty
Examples: Brazilian, Colombian origins
Iced result: Smooth, familiar, comforting
Pairs with: Milk, vanilla, caramel
Caramel/Sweet
Examples: Central American origins
Iced result: Sweet, approachable, crowd-pleaser
Pairs with: Any milk, minimal sweetener needed
What to Avoid
❌ Very Dark/French Roast
Why: Bitter compounds amplified when cold
Exception: Unless you like very bold, bitter coffee
❌ Stale Beans (4+ weeks old)
Why: Flat, cardboard flavors more noticeable cold
Exception: None - always use fresh
❌ Pre-Ground Coffee
Why: Oxidizes quickly, loses brightness
Exception: If consumed within days of grinding
❌ Single Origins (some)
Why: Delicate flavors can get lost in ice/milk
Exception: Bold Ethiopian or Kenyan work well
Match Beans to Method
Cold Brew
Ideal beans: Medium roast, chocolatey, sweet
Grind: Coarse
Low acid extraction highlights sweetness
Iced Pour-Over
Ideal beans: Light-medium, fruity, bright
Grind: Medium-fine
Quick extraction preserves brightness
Iced Espresso/Latte
Ideal beans: Medium-dark, bold, chocolatey
Grind: Fine (espresso)
Needs to cut through milk and ice
Japanese Iced Coffee
Ideal beans: Light-medium, complex, fruity
Grind: Medium
Thermal shock locks in aromatics
