Why Cumulus Is Always Cold (And Why That Matters)

At Cumulus Coffee, every step, from the beans we source to the way we roast them to a brew that never touches heat, is designed for cold. 

The End of “Iced Coffee Season”

Cold coffee isn't seasonal. Neither are cold coffee drinkers.

Cold coffee is a year-round drink and not just a summer trend. Every Fall, menus warm up and “iced coffee season” is quietly declared over. But the seasonal calendar was always a menu decision, not a drinker decision. People kept ordering cold brew as seasons changed and temperatures dropped. Cold coffee stopped being a summer refreshment and became a daily routine.

“Cold coffee has become a core part of daily rituals.”  — Mesh Gelman, Founder & CEO, Cumulus Coffee

Why Cumulus Has Always Been Cold

Cumulus didn't pivot to cold. It started there. While on Starbucks' executive team, founder Mesh Gelman noticed people were starting to prefer their coffee cold, and that premium cold coffee was nearly impossible to make at home. Years of development later, Cumulus was born. (Read the full story on our About page.)

“It's astonishing how challenging it is to craft premium cold brew at home. We're here to change that.”  — Mesh Gelman, Founder & CEO, Cumulus Coffee

There is no hot setting on a Cumulus Machine. It brews still cold brew, nitro cold brew, and chilled espresso, all from the same capsule, at the touch of a button. 

What “Always Cold” Means

Sourced for cold. We look specifically for coffees from around the world that are best for brewing and drinking cold.

Roasted for cold. Every Cumulus coffee is roasted specifically for cold extraction, to bring out chocolate, caramel, and a syrupy body.

Brewed cold, never hot. This is the heart of it. In Episode 3 of The Cold Brew Lab, Cumulus Head Coffee Educator Major Cohen explains why iced coffee (hot coffee, chilled) and cold brew are entirely different drinks.

“Cold brew was never hot. That single fact changes everything about what it is.”  — Major Cohen, Head Coffee Educator, Cumulus Coffee

Hot water pulls acids out quickly and aggressively. Cold water is selective, reaching sugars and oils while leaving many acids behind. The result is lower acidity, less bitterness, and a smoother, fuller body that holds its flavor and pairs beautifully with milk, cream, or syrup. 

“Cold brew does not taste smooth because it is weak. It tastes smooth because cold water is selective about what it takes.”  — Major Cohen, Head Coffee Educator, Cumulus Coffee

A Collective, Not a Season

The "cold coffee season" story lasted because cold coffee drinkers were scattered. Each one ordering cold brew after Summer ended felt like an exception. But when they grow and gather, the exception becomes the norm, and the question shifts from “Why are you drinking that in the winter?” to “What are you drinking?”

“How you choose, prepare, and drink your coffee is a deeply personal experience.”  — Mesh Gelman, Founder & CEO, Cumulus Coffee

Always Cold is a perspective shared by far more people than any seasonal menu admits. Cumulus Collective / 01 is the first gathering of the Always Cold community: the people who never stopped ordering cold, and anyone curious why. Come taste the difference a never-heated brew makes.

Stay tuned for details. Follow us on Instagram and sign up for our newsletter to be the first to know where Cumulus Collective is popping up next. 

Why Cold Coffee Isn't Just for Summer

The Fall season is the time the coffee world tells cold coffee to go home. That is exactly why it is when we decided to lean in. Through October and November, we're hosting Always Cold pop-ups, serving Cumulus cold coffee in sweater weather while the rest of the industry turns up the heat.

Cold Coffee FAQ

Is cold coffee only for summer?

No. Cold coffee is a year-round drink, and Cumulus Coffee is designed for cold from sourcing to sip, so it tastes just as good in January as in July.

Are cold brew trends here to stay?

Yes. Cold coffee has shifted from a seasonal treat to a daily ritual, and Cumulus Coffee was built for that shift from day one.

When is the best time to drink cold coffee?

Whenever you want it. With the Cumulus Machine, cold brew, nitro, or chilled espresso is ready in seconds, any time of day or year.

Is Cumulus cold brew ever heated?

No. Cumulus coffee is roasted specifically for cold brewing and brewed without heat at any stage.

What's the difference between cold brew and iced coffee?

Iced coffee is hot-brewed coffee that has been chilled. Cold brew is never heated, giving it lower acidity and a smoother body. Major Cohen breaks it down in Episode 3 of Cumulus Coffee's The Cold Brew Lab.

Always Cold Starts Here

Make every season cold coffee season. Explore the Cumulus Machine and our coffees roasted for cold.