So what do I order in 2025?

While the rest of the world is riding the cold brew wave, we’re still stirring caramel syrup into a lukewarm ice-blended milkshake and calling it coffee.

Cold brew is rewriting the coffee menus in Melbourne — and with Polar Bear, the UK’s finally got a chance to catch up.

Cold Brew Isn’t New—But This Time, It’s Personal

Vanilla Iced Latté has long been your go-to Summer coffee order, and that's fair. it's cold, sweet and let's be honest, mostly about the vanilla. 

Meanwhile, the rest of the world is drinking cold brew and fast making it the preferred choice for a refreshing summer caffeine hit.

The global cold brew market grew by 22% in 2024, hitting $3.16 billion—and that’s just the beginning. Forecasts put it on track to reach $16 billion by 2032. We don't like to use Starbucks as an example... or the USA come to think of it... however In the U.S., 75% of Starbucks drinks sold are now cold.
Back in civilised coffee society, In Australia, cold brews are starting to rival cappuccinos and flat whites. Social feeds are filled with iced glass jars, neon straws, and recipe hacks.

It's time we caught up.

Enter: Polar Bear.

Why Cold Brew Is Different (And Better)

Let’s get one thing straight: cold brew is not iced coffee. It’s brewed cold, slowly extracted over 12–18 hours in cold or room-temperature water. It never touches hot water, so fundamentally it's just different. 

This shift in method means:

• significantly** less acidity** than hot brewed coffee

• Lower bitterness, more natural oils (which are super good for you)

• Super Silky texture, even without milk

• No burnt notes or harshness

Hot water pulls out sharp acids and bitter compounds. Cold water doesn’t. What you get is a smoother, more refined experience—and because cold brew typically uses more coffee per brew, it’s got a serious caffeine kick to match. Also you can make it in concentrate and dilute to serve.

We Designed Polar Bear for This

All of our coffee is sourced, profiled and roasted for brewing hot. Polar Bear is a brand new, back to the drawing board experiment.

We’ve selected origins carefully, adjusted out roast profile and grind super coarse specifically to bring out the best in cold brew:

• Origins chosen for chocolate, nutty, and rich fruit notes that shine when brewed cold.

• Roast profile developed for maximum solubility and sweetness, leaning towards a medium roast.

• Coarse grind designed for cold extraction, perfect for 12–18 hour steeping without over-extraction.

• You can even brew it in your old cafetiere...!

It’s built for people who want brilliant cold brew with zero equipment, zero faff, and maximum flavour.

Cold Brew Culture: Why the World’s Already Switched

Let’s talk about momentum:

• In Australia, cold coffee isn’t a niche—it’s mainstream. Cold beverages now make up the majority of coffee sales.

• The global cold brew scene is thriving, especially with Gen Z. Ready-to-drink options, café taps, and coffee cocktails are pushing it into everyday use.

• The Espresso Martini boom has created an entire genre of cold brew-based cocktails, with hard coffee drinks popping up in bars and shops.

• On TikTok, “proffee” (protein coffee) has exploded. People mix cold brew with protein powder or shakes—easy, energising, and Instagrammable.

In short: cold brew is no longer a trend. It’s a movement. We're riding that wave right into shore, and bringing you along with us!

Cold Brew for Everyone

Cold brew has one massive advantage: it’s unbelievably easy to make.

There’s no need for a fancy espresso machine, no kettle or scale drama. Just coffee, water, time—and fridge space.

Even pre-ground coffee like Polar Bear works perfectly, because:

• Cold brew is more forgiving than hot brew. You literally cannot brew it wrong (unless you're the kind of person who could burn soup... but even then, we reckon you've got this)

• Longer steep times mean medium-coarse grinds extract well. We take care of this by grinding immediately before shipping so it's as fresh as possible. 

• The rich oils and lower acidity will mean you're an instant pro. Guaranteed.

You can brew it in a mason jar, a water bottle, or...

💡 Old Cafetière Trick

If you’ve got a French press, you’ve got a cold brew maker:

1. Add ~80g of Polar Bear to your 4 cup cafetière.

2. Fill with cold water. Stir.

3. Leave it in the fridge (lid on, plunger up) overnight.

4. Plunge slowly in the morning. Serve over ice. Done.

   4b. If this is a little too much like rocket fuel, let it down by diluting with ice cold water.

 

Creative Cold Brew Recipes to Try

• Vanilla Pod Brew: Add a split vanilla pod during steeping. Subtle sweetness and smooth as silk.

• Cardamom & Cinnamon: Toss in a few cardamom pods and a stick of cinnamon while steeping. It’s iced dirty chai energy.

• Cold Brew Tonic: 1:1 tonic + cold brew. Add orange peel. Stir. Sip. Smile.

• Cold Brew Martini (aka Lazy Espresso Martini): Shake cold brew, Kahlúa and vodka with ice. Strain into a chilled glass. Game over.

• Coconut Mocha Cold Brew: Mix brewed Polar Bear with coconut milk and a touch of cocoa. It’s basically dessert.

Healthier, Too? Yes Actually

Cold brew often contains fewer bitter acids and needs less sugar or milk to balance the flavour. It’s also gentler on digestion—ideal for people who suffer from reflux or sensitive stomachs.

And if you’re cutting calories or eating clean? A cold brew over ice is basically zero-calorie fuel. Add protein, and it’s your morning workout boost.

Why We’re Launching Polar Bear Now

The world is clearly ready for cold brew. And we think the UK is next.

We wanted to create a product that made it easy—with coffee that’s specifically designed for cold extraction.

With Polar Bear:

• You don’t need gear.

• You don’t need to grind.

• You don’t need to worry about ratios or roast.

Just steep. Strain. Chill. and Enjoy.

And if we get enough demand, we’ll launch our Cold Brew Flask this summer. It’s brewing made brainless.

(image)

Final Thoughts

Cold brew isn’t just a summer fling. It’s reshaping how the world drinks coffee. It’s easier, smoother, more versatile, and packed with flavour. And with Polar Bear, it’s finally as accessible as it is delicious.

This summer, leave the iced latte behind.

The cold brew era has arrived... and it's here 

 

 

 

References:

HardTank – Global Cold Brew Market Growth

Nature.com on Coffee Acidity and Antioxidants

Food Institute on Proffee Trend

Healthline on Cold Brew & Digestion

The Coffee Price Crisis (SCA)

SCA: Impact of Storytelling on Coffee Professionals' Sensory Perception

Challenges Facing Coffee Farmers

Fairtrade Coffee Supply Chain