Blue Bottle vs La Colombe
Why They Make The Cut?
Review Summary
Flavor Profile
The flavor profile of the Three Africas blend is truly exceptional. It offers a complex mix of jammy notes from the natural Ethiopian coffee, pleasant acidity from the washed Ethiopian, and body and sweetness from the washed Central African. When cold brewed, it produces a drink with impressive depth and luminosity that spans the coffee spectrum.
I found the cold brew to be smooth and well-balanced, with a nice interplay of fruit notes and deep sweetness. It's refreshing and easy to drink, yet still complex enough to satisfy more discerning palates.
La Colombe's Cold Brew Concentrate offers a coffee-forward flavor profile. Made from single-origin Brazilian coffee, it provides a rich, authentic taste that true coffee lovers will appreciate. The concentrate allows for customization, so you can adjust the strength to your liking. Some users might need to experiment with the ratios to find their perfect balance, but the result is a smooth, refreshing cold brew with no bitterness or acidity typically associated with hot brewed coffee.
Flavor Notes
Caffeine Content
Blue Bottle doesn't provide specific caffeine content for their cold brew set. However, cold brew generally contains more caffeine than regular coffee due to its concentrated nature. Based on my experience, it provided a good energy boost without feeling jittery.
It's worth noting that you can adjust the strength (and thus caffeine content) by changing the coffee-to-water ratio or diluting the final product to your liking.
Each serving of La Colombe's Cold Brew Concentrate contains 170mg of natural caffeine, equivalent to about 2.25 cups of regular coffee. This high caffeine content makes it a potent energy booster, perfect for those who need a strong pick-me-up. However, the ability to dilute the concentrate allows users to adjust the caffeine level to their preference, making it versatile for different caffeine tolerances.
Convenience Factor
The Blue Bottle Cold Brew Set is quite convenient, especially for those who enjoy making cold brew at home. The set comes with everything you need to get started, including the coffee and brewing instructions.
One minor inconvenience is that you need to plan ahead, as cold brew typically needs to steep for 12-24 hours. However, once brewed, you can store it in the refrigerator for up to two weeks, which is great for having coffee ready to go.
Convenience is a strong point for La Colombe's Cold Brew Concentrate. The 32 oz bottle makes 1 gallon of cold brew, providing multiple servings from a single purchase. It's shelf-stable until opened, and then lasts up to 2 weeks in the refrigerator, allowing for easy storage and extended use. This makes it ideal for those who want to enjoy cold brew regularly without daily preparation. The concentrate format also saves space compared to ready-to-drink options.
Ease of Use
The cold brew set is straightforward to use, even for those new to making cold brew. Blue Bottle provides clear instructions on their website and with the product.
The process involves combining ground coffee with cold water, letting it steep in the refrigerator, and then filtering. While it's not as instant as some concentrate options, the process is simple and yields great results.
La Colombe's Cold Brew Concentrate is straightforward to use. The recommended ratio of 1 part concentrate to 3 parts water is simple to follow, whether making a single serving or a large batch. Some users might prefer more precise measurements for consistency, but the flexibility allows for personal taste adjustments. The concentrate mixes easily with water and can be customized with ice, milk, or other additions as desired. Overall, it offers an easy way to enjoy cafe-quality cold brew at home.
Scoring Breakdown
Coffee
Blue Bottle Coffee Cold Brew Set
La Colombe Cold Brew Concentrate
Attribute Ratings
Origin
Blue Bottle Coffee Cold Brew Set
La Colombe Cold Brew Concentrate
Quick Facts
Recommended Preparations
Best prepared as a cold brew by combining ground coffee with cold water and steeping for 12-24 hours in the refrigerator. Can be diluted to taste and served over ice. The concentrate can be stored for up to two weeks when refrigerated.
Mix 1 part concentrate with 3 parts water. Can be customized with ice, milk, or other additions according to taste preference. Works well for both single servings and large batches.
Ideal For
Pros and Cons
Blue Bottle Coffee Cold Brew Set
- Exceptional flavor profile
- High-quality, freshly roasted beans
- Versatile brewing options
- Requires advance preparation
- More expensive than some alternatives
- Lack of specific caffeine content information
La Colombe Cold Brew Concentrate
- Rich, coffee-forward flavor
- High caffeine content (170mg per serving)
- Convenient and long-lasting
- Customizable strength
- Makes large quantity (1 gallon) per bottle
- Plastic bottle packaging
- May require experimentation to find ideal ratio
- Slightly more expensive than some competitors