My summer cold brew trial turned me into a believer
I used to shrug off cold brew as just trendy junk, but last July changed everything. A buddy kept going on about how smooth his homemade batch was, so I finally caved and put some together. I grabbed a bag of medium roast beans, ground them coarse, and let them steep in water for a full day. When I tasted it, I was blown away by how mellow and sweet it was, with none of the bitter bite I get from hot coffee. It totally flipped my view on what coffee could be. Now, I brew a pitcher every weekend, and it's my go-to when the sun's beating down. If you're on the fence like I was, give it a honest shot with your favorite beans.
Actually, lighter roasts often shine in cold brew. They keep more of their fruity or floral notes during the long steep, which can get lost with a dark roast. I found a nice light roast gives it a cleaner, more complex taste than just more body.
Totally agree on the mellow and sweet thing, that's what makes cold brew a GAME changer. I found that using a darker roast can give it even more body without the bitterness. Once you dial in your steep time, it's hard to go back to regular iced coffee.