What is Cold Brew Coffee?

Gain insight about what is cold brew coffee, the special methods used to create cold brew coffee, how it differs from regular cold coffee, and why coffee aficionados have come to love it. Find more about its history, advantages, and how to prepare it at home.

Why Cold Brew Coffee is a refreshing twist?

Lately, cold brew coffee has taken over the coffee industry. Coffee aficionados opt for this cold brew coffee over other beverages for its creamy and mellow flavour. Also, it is comparatively less acidic. 

To begin with, what is cold brew coffee exactly and how is it different from the common iced coffee? Let's examine these questions in this article. This post explains a comprehensive recipe to learn the nuances of brewing this coffee. Also, acquire some secret tips to make the beverage appealing. 

What is Cold Brew Coffee?

Cold brew coffee is made from coarsely ground coffee beans by steeping it in cold or room temperature at least for a day or half (12-24 hours). The result is a strong and less acidic savour which can be drunk plain or along with milk or water. 

This procedure depends on time for procuring perfect relish as extracting coffee’s natural oils, sugars and caffeine is a time-consuming process. On the other hand, traditional hot coffee making relies on heat to obtain the taste and invigorating fragrance. 

 Another advantage is texture and the nature of the cold brew coffee. It is smoother and less acidic relative to conventional hot brewed coffee. Hence it poses a best option for people with sensitive stomachs as the low acidity drink acts softer on the gut wall.

The Distinction Between Cold Coffee and Cold Brew

There exists a big confusion amidst people between the cold brew coffee and other cold coffee drinks like iced coffee. A whole lot of contrast is present based on the flavours, methods of preparation of both beverages.

Iced coffee: 

A coffee made hot, cooled under room temperature and poured over ice is termed as iced coffee. Taste can be enhanced by addition of flavoured syrups, whip cream, milk etc. 

It can be enjoyed with sweeteners too. Such a recipe retains the bitterness and acidity which was there in the hot coffee. The hot water brewing method occasionally makes it harsh to sip when chilled.

Cold Brew Coffee:

On the other hand, cold brew is never heated. The drink is smoother and less harsh as a result of the cold, lengthy extraction procedure. 

Although cold brew is usually served cold, you can drink it hot by diluting it with hot water because it's a concentrate.

The Origin and Convergence of Cold Brew

The thought of cold brew coffee is not contemporary and dates centuries back. By tracing back in time, in the 1600s Japan was newly exposed to this brewing technique by Dutch traders.

Primitively it was named Kyoto-style coffee by the natives. Back then this method introduced by Dutch merchants entails trickling cold water over coffee blends for many hours producing a concentrated coffee. So, it was also called the slow-drip method.

Early 2000s saw a rise in popularity of cold brew coffee among the coffee connoisseurs dwelling in the US. The ease of drinking it at any time and the smooth flavour made the beverage supreme among other coffees.  

Perks of Coffee in Cold Brew

1. Smooth and Mellow Flavour: Less bitter chemicals are extracted during the cold brewing process, giving the beer a smoother, sweeter flavour. This helps those who find normal coffee too bitter to tolerate cold brew.
   
   2. Lower Acidity: A good choice for people with digestive issues as this coffee is gentler on the stomach than others. The chances of acid reflux is much less due to its low acidity quotient. 

3. Greater Caffeine Content: The amount of alkaloid (caffeine) is higher because of the lengthy steeping period. The dilution at the end before intake will affect the total dissolved caffeine concentration in the beverage.
4. 
   Flexibility: The beverage is versatile and has various artistic uses due to its concentration. Several ways are there to make it more appealing and delicious. We can enjoy it by adding syrups, whip cream, milk, ice or can be tasted plain. This can be used as an additive even in cocktails.
5. Convenience: The storage time for the coffee is usually long, up to two weeks. It can be brewed in large quantities, refrigerated, and used when required. 

Creating Cold Brew Coffee at Home

It is really easy to make cold brew coffee at home with very little equipment. Here's a quick start guide to get you going:

Ingredients:

• One cup of coffee, ground coarsely
• Four glasses of room temperature or cold water

Equipment:

• Large pitcher or jar
• A strainer with fine mesh or cheesecloth
• Coffee filter—optional

Guidelines:

1.Mix the water and coffee together: Transfer the coarsely ground coffee into the pitcher or container. Make sure the coffee grinds are completely wet by pouring cold or room temperature water over them. Mix with a gentle stir.

2.Steep: Place a lid on the jar or pitcher and leave it for 12 to 24 hours at room temperature or in the fridge. The stronger the brew, the longer you steep.

3.Strain: Pour the mixture into another container using cheesecloth or a fine-mesh strainer after it has steeped. You can strain it through a coffee filter once more for a more refined brew.

4. Plating: To serve, dilute the concentration of cold brew with water, milk, or a milk substitute according to your preference. The usual ratio of concentrate to diluent is1:1, although you can change it to suit your tastes. Enjoy your meal with ice on top!

5.Store: Keep any remaining concentration refrigerated in a sealed container. It keeps for up to two weeks when kept fresh.

Variations and Ideas for Serving

You can alter cold brew coffee to your preference because it is so adaptable. Here are some suggestions:

Sweetened Cold Brew: For sweeteners prefer honey, simple syrup or flavouring syrups over the usual sugars.

Creamy Cold Brew: Go for a frother to blend in milk, cream, or a non-dairy substitute such as coconut, oat, or almond milk for a creamy touch.

Flavoured Cold Brew: To emphasise the taste, add spices such as cinnamon sticks, vanilla beans, or even a few drops of vanilla extract during the steeping phase, to give your cold brew some flavour.

Nitro Cold Brew:  The addition of nitrogen gas to the cold brew intensifies the sweetness and gives it a creamy texture. For a bubbly, beer-like savour try nitro cold brew.

The Prospects for Cold Brew Coffee

New discoveries and innovations in cold brew kept the sector vibrant and growing. The popularity gained among the coffee explorers is still increasing as the product is groomed according to the present-day trends. 

It includes the cold brew coffee kits, nitro cold brew and ready-to-drink cold brews which have swept off the industry. Novel tastes, fusions instilled and experimented by the baristas in cafes and bars invites more consumers making cold brew coffee a standard drink.    

The drink acts as an eco-friendly measure as it overrules the need for use and throw cups due to its storage capability. It is sustainable and can be made at large scale. So companies are looking at implementing nature-friendly packaging options.

Conclusion

A healthier and exquisite alternative to the regular hot brewed coffee is cold brew coffee.

The lower acid index and bitterness makes it the most favourite among consumers under all age groups. The reason is its low sensitivity on the gut line. The time taken for steeping is the major contrast between cold brew and normal iced coffee. 

The preparation, and flavour profile make the cold brew coffee a most loved beverage of a coffee enthusiast. A revolution that has been created by the beverage is evident as it is accessible, available and adaptable. It can be enjoyed straight, with milk, sweetened or even with cocktails. 

Also in Blog