Why Cold Brew Coffee is a real game-changer
If you are postponing a cup of delicious cold brew coffee thinking that it’s just some fancy, new version of iced coffee, you are missing out!
Cold Brew Coffee came to the attention of java lovers less than a decade ago. While it did not take the world by storm, it has steadily become a real game-changer in the brewing industry. Nowadays, you can find it in restaurant menus and coffee shops across the country.
We have compiled a short guide that will tell you everything you need to know about cold brew coffee, how it tastes like, and how to prepare it at home. Let’s get to it!
What is Cold Brew Coffee?
If you barely stand the summer heat, or if you live in a really warm climate, then you cannot choose a better refreshing drink than cold brew coffee. This delicious drink is the result of soaking freshly ground coffee beans into the water for a period that may extend anywhere between 12 and 24 hours or more.
The process of steeping the coffee in water results in a liquid with a high concentration of caffeine and a bolder taste. Next, removing and filtering the coffee grounds leaves you with a reliable amount of strong coffee that you can dilute as you please with milk, cream or more water.
Some companies specialize in offering the finest coffee beans to create an ultra-smooth, delicate cold brew. If this is your first time trying cold brew coffee, then your best choice is a batch of roasted coffee that has been specifically prepared for this process.
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How does Cold Brew Coffee taste like?
If you like your coffee to be rich in flavor, but also silky and smooth, you will fall in love with cold brew coffee. This drink has almost no bitterness or acidic aftertaste. It makes for a perfect cooling cup of java on hot, summer afternoons or when you are in a hurry and don’t have the time for hot coffee.
The taste also depends on the type of coffee that you choose to pass through the cold brew process. Some blends may offer a strong aroma, while others may carry a fruity flavor that is typical to their assortment.
How to make Cold Brew Coffee at home
A good way of trying out cold brew coffee for the first time is preparing it at home. It is a quick and easy process, and once you get the hang of it, you will be able to tweak it to your taste.
First things first, you should think about what you normally like to get from a cup of coffee. Is it the bitter taste, a fruity aroma, a smooth feeling on your tongue or all of these together? We mentioned that cold brew coffee has almost no acidity at all, but the great thing about it is that you can adjust this trait as well.
Without further ado, here are the three main ways of making cold brew coffee at home:
Immersion Cold Brew Coffee
This one is the most popular method of obtaining cold brew coffee in your kitchen. It is easy to do, it requires very little equipment and only a great deal of patience. Here is what you will need to get a cold, refreshing drink:
- Ground coffee
- Cold water, preferably filtered
- Two recipients
- A filter
The process is very simple. You mix the ground coffee with the cold water in a recipient, which may differ in size. Keep in mind that afterward, you will have to dilute the resulting coffee with almost the same quantity of water or milk. So, if you mix everything in a 500ml recipient, you will end up with almost 1 liter of cold brew coffee in the end.
Next, let the ground coffee soak up the water for any time between 12 and 24 hours. In time, you will identify the immersion time within this interval that suits your taste best. Some people prefer to leave the mixture rest for less than 10 hours, some like a strong brew and let it rest for 24 hours or longer. In the end, it all boils down to personal taste.
Once the steeping process is over, use a filter to eliminate the ground coffee from the liquid that you transfer to the second recipient. Now, you have obtained a concentrated coffee drink that you can mix with water, milk, cream or sugar to get a chilling cup of smooth java.
Japanese Style Cold Brew Coffee
This method of obtaining cold brew coffee requires a few extra steps including boiling the water, but the result is equally satisfying.
To get Japanese Style Cold Brew Coffee you will need to fill one of the recipients with a generous amount of ice cubes. Pour the freshly ground coffee into a filter, and place it over the recipient. Next, add a bit of boiling water to the filter and swirl through the mixture. The resulting liquid will drip onto the ice in the recipient little by little. Continue until you reach the quantity you desire.
The secret behind this way of preparing cold brew coffee is that the smooth, hot liquid mixes with the cold ice in the vessel creating a refreshing and diluted drink on the spot. It is an impressive method that you can use to serve a cup of cold java when you have guests over.
Ice Drip Brewing
This method requires time, dedication and a consistent investment in equipment. The ice drip brewing solution may take as much as 24 hours. It requires three vessels that you can place in a vertical, interconnected line, with the top two containing dripping faucets.
You need to fill the one at the very top with ice. You add freshly ground coffee to the one in the middle, and you leave the one at the bottom completely empty. Here is where the concentrated liquid will gather during the brewing process. Again, while this method delivers a smooth, silky drink, it will also prove satisfactory if you don’t mind waiting a full day to drink a cup of cold brew coffee.
Why is Cold Brew Coffee so popular?
Cold Brew Coffee has become a casual drink for many java lovers. There is something exciting in getting an energizing, yet smooth cup of coffee during the hot summer days, without having to wait for it to cool down.
Furthermore, cold brew coffee maintains its taste and aroma for an extended period. You can safely brew enough coffee to last you two weeks and keep it in the fridge without worrying about it becoming stale or bland.
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