Wawa is a popular convenience store chain on the East Coast that is well known for its fresh, delicious iced coffee. Wawa’s iced coffee has a smooth, rich taste that keeps customers coming back again and again, especially on hot summer days. But how exactly does Wawa make their famous iced coffee? What is their process from start to finish?
Selecting High Quality Coffee Beans
The first step in Wawa’s iced coffee making process is selecting only the highest quality coffee beans. Wawa has strict standards when it comes to sourcing their coffee. They use only 100% Arabica coffee beans which are known for their sweeter, more delicate taste compared to the harsher Robusta variety. The beans are sourced from Central and South America from specific growers that Wawa has long-standing relationships with. By controlling the bean selection process, they can ensure every batch of iced coffee meets their high standards.
Unique Blending Process
Once the beans arrive at Wawa’s facilities, they use a proprietary technique to blend them. Wawa’s blends are carefully balanced to create the ideal flavor profile for iced coffee – smooth and rich without any bitterness. Their blend contains only Arabica beans with a higher proportion of Brazilian beans which add sweetness. The beans are roasted to a medium roast that brings out their natural flavors without being too dark. Wawa keeps their blending procedure confidential to maintain their unique iced coffee taste.
Brewing a Strong Concentrate
The magic of Wawa’s iced coffee lies in how they brew it. Rather than directly pouring hot coffee over ice which waters it down, Wawa brews a super concentrated coffee extract. They use special commercial coffee makers that brew at higher than normal temperatures and in higher coffee bean to water ratios. This extracts more flavor from the beans and results in a coffee concentrate up to four times the strength of normal coffee. This concentrate packs in all the delicious coffee taste which will be properly diluted later.
Precise Time and Temperature Control
Wawa carefully controls the brew time and water temperature when brewing their iced coffee concentrate. The hot water is precisely held between 200-205°F, the ideal range for extracting the most flavor from the beans. It is passed through the ground coffee for no more than a few minutes. This short steeping time prevents overextraction which would make the coffee taste bitter. The result is a smooth but highly concentrated liquid coffee essence.
Mixing with Sugar While Hot
While the concentrated coffee extract is still hot, Wawa mixes in pure cane sugar. The sugar helps sweeten the coffee’s natural bitterness and adds another layer of flavor. But the key is adding the sugar while the concentrate is hot. This allows the sugar to fully dissolve and integrate with the coffee. Once mixed, the hot coffee concentrate is quickly chilled down to freezing temperatures.
Adding Cold Milk
The next step is adding cold milk to the frozen coffee concentrate. Whole milk is used as it provides a creamy, rich taste. The milk is kept ice cold before mixing. Pouring the frozen coffee concentrate over ice cold milk provides a thermal shock that helps pull out even more coffee flavor. The mixture is stirred thoroughly to create an emulsion, integrating the milk’s creamy texture with the coffee’s robust flavor.
Diluting and Icing
The final steps are diluting the coffee/milk mixture down with additional cold water and then pouring it over a cup filled with ice. The ice helps chill the iced coffee down to an icy cold 34-38°F temperature. The water dilutes the concentration to regular strength coffee while retaining all the flavor extracted during brewing. This multi-step process results in a smooth, sweet coffee taste with a creamy body while being refreshing and cold.
Maintaining Freshness
Wawa takes care to ensure their iced coffee stays fresh all day long. The coffee concentrate is kept frozen until needed and milk is kept well chilled. Brewed coffee has a short shelf life before losing flavor. By only mixing and diluting theconcentrate to order, they can serve freshly brewed iced coffee to every customer throughout the day. The iced coffee also contains no preservatives that could degrade the taste.
Secret Menu Items
While classic Wawa iced coffee is always delicious, some customers love to customize their drinks by ordering “secret menu” items. Some popular off-menu combinations include:
- Iced cappuccino – Adds foamed milk on top
- Iced latte – More milk, less water
- Frozen iced coffee – Blended with ice like a frappuccino
- Mocha iced coffee – Chocolate syrup added
- Iced coffee freeze – Like a slushy
Baristas are happy to accommodate these special requests when possible. Feel free to ask!
Nutrition Information
One 16oz serving of Wawa’s classic iced coffee contains approximately:
| Calories | Fat | Protein | Carbs | Sugar |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 140 | 2.5g | 4g | 29g | 29g |
The calories mainly come from the added sugar. But compared to some coffeehouse drinks, Wawa’s iced coffee is relatively low in calories for such a large serving size. Those watching their sugar intake may want to ask for light or no sugar added.
Why People Love Wawa Iced Coffee
Wawa has earned a cult following for their iced coffee over the years. Fans love it for the following reasons:
- Smooth, rich taste without bitterness
- Creamy, milkshake-like texture
- Refreshingly cold
- Customizable with flavors
- Available 24/7 at all locations
- Fast, convenient, and affordable
For many busy folks on the go, a fresh Wawa iced coffee has become an essential part of their daily routine. The ability to quickly grab a cold, creamy, caffeinated drink that tastes like a sweet treat no matter the time of day is a huge appeal.
A Beloved Brand
Wawa’s iced coffee has earned such popularity that it has become an iconic brand in its own right. Devoted fans proudly declare their love for Wawa coffee on t-shirts and social media posts. The company even sells Wawa iced coffee inspired merchandise that customers eagerly buy to show their enthusiasm. For many East Coasters, enjoying summer without a cold glass of Wawa’s famous coffee is simply unthinkable.
How to Order Like a Pro
Are you new to Wawa and feeling overwhelmed trying to order? Here are some tips for ordering their iced coffee like a pro:
- Know the sizes – Small (12 oz), Medium (16 oz), Large (24 oz)
- Specify ice amount – Light, Normal, Extra
- Choose milk type – Whole, Non-fat, Soy, Almond
- Specify sugar – None, Light, Normal, Extra
- Ask for flavors – Vanilla, Mocha, Caramel, etc
- Downsize to cut calories – Small or medium vs large
- Upsize for value – Large gives you the most coffee for your money
You can also take a peek at their menu board for inspiration. With so many options to make it your perfect drink, there’s no wrong way to order Wawa iced coffee!
Conclusion
Wawa’s wildly popular iced coffee is more than just a drink – it’s a cultural phenomenon. Its unique brewing process extracts maximum flavor while maintaining a smooth, creamy taste. Fanatical customers can’t get enough of the refreshing, sweet caffeinated beverage. So next time you visit a Wawa, be sure to order an iced coffee made just the way you like it. Once you try it, you’ll understand why people are so passionate about this iconic drink.