On a blazing hot day the last thing you may want to drink or hold is a steaming conventionally prepared beverage. A cold brewed cup of coffee would be more ideal before a morning jog or as an energizer in the afternoon. The cold brew trend has grown over the years as a worthwhile alternative to regular iced coffee.
Cold brew offers the benefit of not having a watered down taste. This is achieved by brewing the coffee in cold water check out Brewed Coffee Guide website for more details or with room temperature water instead of hot water. However, the process of brewing this popular drink goes beyond using cold water.
Making Cold Brew Coffee
Medium or coarse ground coffee is steeped in cool water for several hours and the grounds are filtered out for a clean cup that does not contain sediment. While regular coffee is exposed to heat, cold brew remains in cooler temperatures. It requires time to extract the caffeine, sugars and oils.
Brewing cold coffee involves proper planning. It is a process that is gradual, long and can take as much as 24 hours. This creates a smooth and rich infusion with minimal acidity levels. Low acidity levels make cold brew the ideal drink for anyone who has a sensitive digestive system.
Although, the cold brewing process takes time, it is more efficient than ice brewing. You can set it up and stay away until is time to begin straining the concentrate. Time replaces heat in the cold coffee brew process. High temperature enables the release of unwanted elements of flavor.
Extracting Compounds From Coffee Beans
Roasted coffee beans consist of several compounds that can be extracted while brewing. Compounds such as fatty acids and certain oils are soluble at high temperatures. Coffee beans are not exposed to high temperatures or heat. This only happens after the production of the rich liquid coffee concentrate.
Some caffeine and delicious flavorful compounds are extracted from coffee beans during cold water brewing. Undesirable elements like amides, esters and ketones as well as fatty acids and bitter oils are left behind.
Smooth And Balanced Coffee
Acids and oils typically rise to the surface of a hot cup of coffee, which gives hot brew a distinct acidic taste. This acidic taste is the reason why many coffee drinkers add cream or milk to their coffee in order to soften the taste. The cold brewing process provides a distinctively smooth and perfectly balanced cup of coffee that can be served with ice. However, if you have some cold brew ready but feel like having a warm beverage, you can heat up cold brew coffee on the stove and enjoy it hot.
Cold brew coffee became a mainstream beverage of choice as more outlets began including it in their stock and menus. Cold coffee is unique and much more than a trendy brew. Since cold water is used, it is usually mellower and creates a more rounded out or wholesome taste. You can expect less acidity and more body in your cup.
Conclusion
Cold brew was discovered years ago and a number of brands are well-known for producing their versions of the beverage. After steeping the coffee, you combine the strong coffee concentrate with water for a rich and dense cold brew. With an innovative approach, you can come up with different styles of cold brew and include components that range from spices to chocolate.
Great post! Cold brew has become my go-to for a refreshing cup of coffee. The detailed explanations and step-by-step instructions were incredibly helpful. I appreciate the author’s passion and the serving suggestions provided. Looking forward to more!