Addicted to iced coffee? Experts reveal why you can’t get enough of it

No matter the weather or how cold their hands are, there’s always one person you know who is opting for iced coffee.

But there might be a method to their so-called madness, according to experts, who say there is a psychological reason ice coffee devotees can’t give up the chilled java — even when the temperatures dip.

The simplest answer is that iced coffee has likely become a daily fixture in the morning.

“As with many routines, once formed, it becomes ingrained, and if iced coffee is part of a daily ritual, one might stick with it out of habit,” psychologist Dr. Deborah Gilman told PopSugar, explaining the making the same decisions every day “saves mental energy” for other tasks and decisions.

“Routine provides a sense of stability in an otherwise unpredictable world, and knowing what to expect can make people feel more secure and less anxious.”

Not to mention studies have found that caffeine in either hot or cold java could have a positive effect on mood, although too much of it can trigger anxiety.

One of the deterrents of coffee, though, is in its flavor profile — the sharp, hallmark taste that gives coffee its kick is not beloved by some.

But the hotter the coffee, the more intense the flavor, since the high temperature of java — approximately 160 degrees Fahrenheit — opens up TRPM5 channels, “the temperature-sensitive proteins on our taste buds,” explained Jessica Gavin, a food scientist, culinary scientist and recipe developer.

Cold temperatures, however, diminish TRPM5 channels, “which makes iced coffee popular for those who are sensitive to coffee’s natural bitterness and acidity,” she added.

“The cold temperature also suppresses TRPM5 channels, the temperature-sensitive proteins on our taste buds, reducing flavor perception, which makes iced coffee popular for those who are sensitive to coffee’s natural bitterness and acidity,” she explains.

And, of course, there’s nothing like a crisp, chilled cup of coffee that can “make people feel alert and refreshed,” Gavin added, “even in cold weather.”

A hot beverage, on the other hand, is more relaxing.

“Beyond the taste factors, iced coffee offers a lifestyle appeal that resonates with younger consumers, and major chains like Starbucks have helped propel iced coffee into a cultural phenomenon through buzzy seasonal offerings and trendy flavored lattes,” Johny Morrisson, a coffee connoisseur and barista, told PopSugar.

“With so many opportunities to share innovative concoctions on Instagram and TikTok, a pretty iced coffee has a huge marketing pull that hot drinks can’t match visually.”