Chameleon vs Grady's
Why They Make The Cut?
Review Summary
Flavor Profile
So, let’s start with the positives of Chameleon. What I like about it, is that it tastes clean and gentle. The flavor isn’t too harsh, and it feels smooth when drinking it. The only downside, is that some coffee drinkers report Chameleon having an unpleasant sour taste. Now, I didn’t experience that myself, but a few of the people I’ve talked to, as well as people online have reported that sour taste.
And compared to many of the other cold brews on the market, I’ll say that Chameleon ranks pretty close to the top. I don’t have a lot to complain about here, and I had a pleasant time drinking it during the last week. However, I will also say that it’s not the BEST coffee I’ve tasted. In my opinion, pure coffee concentrates usually taste a lot better, as long as they aren’t freeze dried, and the company doesn’t add in a lot of chemicals. (For example, Javy is a good alternative).
Grady's Cold Brew offers a unique flavor profile that sets it apart from other cold brews. The New Orleans-Style blend, infused with chicory and spices, creates a rich, smooth taste that's both bold and nuanced. Many customers rave about its velvety texture and the fact that it's enjoyable even without added milk or sugar.
The flavor is described as robust yet smooth, with no bitter aftertaste often associated with cold brews. The addition of chicory adds a subtle depth to the coffee, while the proprietary blend of spices contributes to its distinctive taste without overpowering the coffee notes.
Customers particularly appreciate the consistency of flavor across batches, indicating Grady's commitment to quality control in their brewing process.
Flavor Notes
Caffeine Content
I’m going to be honest here, and this is something that really irked me. The Chameleon packaging doesn’t tell you how much caffeine is in the cold brew, and their website doesn’t say anything either.\
I don’t know how a company can get away without providing that information, it just doesn’t make sense to me. However, what I can say is that after drinking their concentrate, I got a pretty strong buzz after drinking it. So there’s definitely caffeine in the brew, but I’m not quite sure how much. (And it also makes you wonder, if they’re leaving out crucial information like that, what else are they leaving out?)
While Grady's doesn't explicitly state the caffeine content on their packaging or website, cold brew coffee generally contains more caffeine than regular brewed coffee due to its concentrated nature. Based on customer reviews, the caffeine kick from Grady's Cold Brew is substantial, providing a strong energy boost.
It's important to note that the caffeine content can be adjusted based on how you dilute the concentrate. This flexibility allows users to control their caffeine intake according to their preferences and tolerance levels.
For those sensitive to caffeine or looking to monitor their intake, it would be beneficial if Grady's provided more specific information about the caffeine content in their product.
Convenience Factor
Now, while I was pretty disappointed that I didn’t find the caffeine information I was looking for.I was even more disappointed with their concentrate. And here’s why:
To make normal hot coffee with Chameleon, it takes 2 parts concentrate, and 1 part water. (For example, that would be 2 cups of concentrate, and 1 cup of water). And that’s super annoying, because what’s the point of using a concentrate if it takes SO MUCH of it to make your coffee with? I’ve used other concentrates that only take 1 tsp to make a full cup of coffee, and that makes the bottle last a lot longer.
And in other words, this means if you’re using Chameleon’s Concentrate to make your coffee every day. Well, you better stock up on bottles, because you’re going to need A LOT of them. (And you’ll have to spend a lot more money as well!)
Grady's Cold Brew scores high on convenience. The concentrate format allows for easy storage and quick preparation of coffee drinks. Each 32 oz bottle provides multiple servings, reducing the need for frequent purchases.
The fact that it's readily available for home delivery or in many grocery stores adds to its convenience factor. Customers appreciate the ability to have their favorite cold brew on hand without the need to visit a coffee shop.
The concentrate's versatility is another convenience factor. It can be used to make both hot and cold coffee drinks, catering to different preferences and seasons.
However, the need for refrigeration before and after opening might be a slight inconvenience for some, especially when traveling or in situations where refrigeration isn't readily available.
Ease of Use
Ugh….
Honestly, I can’t stand the way that you have to measure their concentrate. I don’t have time to pull out a notepad and a pen just to calculate how much concentrate and how much water that I’ll need. PLUS- they also recommend that you use different ratios for different kinds of drinks!
WHAT!
We’re making coffee here, and it shouldn’t have to be like rocket science to make your favorite drinks. And I might be exaggerating a little bit here, but I just like the idea of being able to use 1 tsp of a concentrate for ANY drink that I want. This 1 part concentrate, 2 part water thing is just annoying…
Grady's Cold Brew is designed for easy use. The concentrate format allows for simple preparation - just mix with water or milk according to your taste preference. This ease of use is particularly appreciated by customers who want a quick, hassle-free coffee experience.
The product comes with clear instructions on the recommended ratios for mixing, making it easy even for those new to cold brew concentrates. The ability to adjust the strength by varying the amount of concentrate used adds to its user-friendly nature.
One potential area for improvement could be providing more detailed guidelines or recipes for various coffee drinks that can be made with the concentrate, which would enhance the user experience further.
Scoring Breakdown
Coffee
Chameleon Cold Brew
Grady's Cold Brew
Attribute Ratings
Origin
Chameleon Cold Brew
Grady's Cold Brew
Quick Facts
Recommended Preparations
Different ratios required for different drinks, with a basic ratio of 2 parts concentrate to 1 part water for hot coffee.
Ideal For
Pros and Cons
Chameleon Coffee
- Convenient to use
- Available in grocery stores
- Only a few servings per bottle
- Bitter tasting
- Bulky in a fridge
Grady's Cold Brew
- Unique New Orleans-Style flavor
- All-natural and dietary-friendly
- Convenient concentrate format
- Versatile for hot and cold drinks
- Lack of specific caffeine content information
- Requires refrigeration
- Limited recipe suggestions