Califia Cold Brew Coffee: A Refreshing Alternative to Iced Coffee
At a glance: Califia Farms’ ready-to-drink cold brew coffee provides a smooth, less acidic alternative to traditional iced coffee. It is made with 100% Arabica beans, brewed without heat for up to 18 hours. This slow steeping process, which includes a proprietary immersion technique to enhance flavor extraction, yields a smooth, low-acid cup that contains roughly 40% more caffeine than typical iced coffee of the same size.
What Sets Califia Cold Brew Apart
- Smoother, Less Acidic Profile: The cold brew process extracts flavor compounds from the beans slowly, resulting in a coffee that can carry up to 66% less acidity and bitterness than hot-brewed coffee.
- Cold Extraction: Brewing at room temperature preserves delicate, rounded aromatics that hot brewing methods can lose.
- Quality Beans: The coffee is made with single-origin 100% Arabica beans sourced from South and Central America, chosen for balanced flavor notes.
- Straightforward Ingredients: The Pure Black line contains only water and coffee, with no added sugar and just 15 calories per 12 oz serving.
Cold Brew vs. Iced Coffee
The main distinction between cold brew and iced coffee lies in the brewing process. Iced coffee is typically brewed with hot water and then cooled down, often over ice. This rapid cooling can sometimes result in a brighter, but also more bitter or acidic taste. In contrast, cold brew's extended, heat-free steep results in a different flavor profile.
| Califia Cold Brew | Conventional Iced Coffee | |
|---|---|---|
| Brew method | 12–24 h steep, no heat | Hot brew, then chilled |
| Typical acidity | Low, rounded | Brighter, sometimes sharp |
| Caffeine (12 oz) | ≈150–200 mg | ≈120 mg |
| Flavor notes | Chocolate, caramel, mellow fruit | Citrus, light-bodied |
| Prep time | Ready-to-drink | 5 min brew + cooling |
Because cold water extracts fewer acids yet more caffeine, many drinkers find cold brew to be both smoother and stronger than iced coffee.
Flavor & Product Lineup
Califia Farms offers a wide variety of cold brew products, including unsweetened black options, blends with plant-based milks, and versatile concentrates.
Pure Black Cold Brews
These unsweetened coffees are designed to be consumed black or customized with milk and sweeteners. They are typically available in multi-serving 48 oz bottles.
- Medium Roast: A smooth, rich, and balanced flavor with notes of apple, caramel, and cocoa.
- Blonde Roast: A lighter, mellow, and bright option with notes of blackberry, cacao, and brown sugar.
- XX Espresso: A deeper, rich espresso taste with notes of berry, caramel, and walnut, designed to be smooth and not bitter.
- Organic Line: An organic version of their Pure Black cold brew is also available.
Ready-to-Drink Blends
For convenience, Califia offers cold brew pre-mixed with their plant-based milks, such as almond and oat milk. These often come in smaller, single-serving bottles.
- With Almondmilk: Flavors include Salted Caramel, Mocha, Vanilla Latte, and XX Espresso. The XX Espresso with Almondmilk is lightly sweetened with cane sugar.
- With Oat Milk: The Caramel Oat flavor blends cold brew with oat milk and caramel.
Cold Brew Concentrate
Available in 32 oz cartons, the unsweetened concentrate is a pure cold brew designed to be mixed. It can be diluted with water or combined with milk and other mixers to create a personalized coffee drink. The recommended ratio is one-to-one.
Nutrition & Caffeine
Nutritional content and caffeine levels vary significantly across the product line, especially between the unsweetened Pure Black coffees and the flavored blends. Always check the product label for the most accurate information.
| Product | Serving Size | Calories | Carbs (g) | Sugar (g) | Caffeine (mg) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Pure Black Medium Roast | 12 oz | 15 | 3 | 0 | 161–191 |
| Pure Black Blonde Roast | 12 oz | 15 | 3 | 0 | ≈150–170 |
| Pure Black XX Espresso | 12 oz | 20 | 3 | 0 | ≈200 |
| XX Espresso with Almondmilk | 10.5 oz | 80 | 11 | 8 | ≈150† |
| Salted Caramel with Almondmilk | 10.5 oz | 100 | 15 | 13 | ~120† |
| Caramel Oat Cold Brew | 8.45 oz (250ml) | ~70 | ~11 | ~9 | ≈38 |
| Cold Brew Concentrate | 4 oz | ~10 | 1 | 0 | 90 |
†Manufacturer does not publish an exact figure for all flavored bottles; comparable products average 110–150 mg.
Serving, Storage, and Preparation
- Drink straight over ice for zero-sugar refreshment.
- Split 1:1 with oat or almond milk for a quick latte.
- Blend with fruit and protein powder for a morning smoothie.
- Warm gently on the stove for a low-acid hot coffee on busy mornings.
Califia Farms Cold Brew is perishable and should be kept refrigerated at all times. For the best quality, consume within 7-10 days of opening the bottle.
Sustainability Snapshot
Califia reports saving 10.6 billion gallons of water and preventing 189,000 tonnes of CO₂ since shifting consumers to plant-based beverages. The company's Bakersfield facility is moving toward zero-waste packaging and increased use of recycled PET in its bottles.
Price & Availability
- Multi-serve (48 oz): A Pure Black bottle typically costs around US $5.69 at Target (approximately 12¢ per ounce).
- Single-serve (10.5 oz): Flavored bottles typically cost US $2–3 each.
- Distribution: Available nationwide at major retailers including Target, Amazon, Walmart, Instacart, and most supermarkets.
Potential Drawbacks
- High Caffeine Content: The higher caffeine levels may not be suitable for sensitive drinkers. It's recommended to start with a smaller serving if you are new to cold brew.
- Added Sugar: The flavored varieties contain added sugar and calories; check labels if you are monitoring your intake.
- Taste Profile: Some tasters describe a faint “papery” after-taste when compared with freshly made or other specialty brands.
Conclusion
For coffee lovers seeking a quick, convenient, and low-acid pick-me-up that still tastes like real coffee, Califia Cold Brew is an accessible and reliable option. It offers solid bean quality, straightforward ingredients, and broad grocery availability at a competitive price point.
Works Cited
Information in this article was compiled and synthesized from the following sources:
- Califia Farms Official Website, including product pages for Medium Roast, Blonde Roast, XX Espresso, Concentrates, and general coffee information
- Califia Farms official FAQ and Help Center articles
- Califia Farms 2024 Sustainability Report
- Product listings, nutritional information, and customer Q&A sections from major retailers including Target, Amazon, Walmart, CVS, and Publix
- Customer reviews from platforms such as Influenster
- Third-party food and beverage publications, including Bon Appétit, Allrecipes, Caffeine Informer, Simply Recipes, and industry blogs