Cold brew coffee is a very popular coffee drink in recent years. It has a unique aroma and attractive taste, making it the first choice for many coffee lovers. Unlike other types of coffee, cold brew coffee has a special preparation method. In this article, you can learn about the best way to make cold brew coffee and what is special about cold brew coffee.
What is Cold Brew Coffee?
Cold brew coffee is made by soaking coffee powder in cold water for a long time and then filtering out the coffee grounds. It must be finely ground and slowly extracted, usually taking about 10 hours. Unlike traditional hot water brewing, it uses cold water or room temperature water to soak the coffee powder for 12 to 24 hours and then filter out the coffee liquid.
Because cold water is used, the bitterness and acidity in the coffee will be reduced, and the flavor will be smoother and richer. Cold brew coffee can be drunk directly or added with ice, milk, or sugar. And its shelf life is very long, you can keep it in the refrigerator for about a week.
What is Cold Brew Espresso?
Cold brew espresso refers to a more concentrated cold brew coffee. Because it uses a higher ratio of coffee powder and less water, usually about 1:4 or 1:3. This method of making can produce a higher concentration of coffee liquid.
Usually, cold brew espresso needs to be diluted before drinking. You can dilute it by adding milk, ice cubes, water, etc. At the same time, cold brew espresso has a long shelf life and can be stored in the refrigerator for some time.
What is the difference?
The main difference between them is the ratio and concentration. You can make cold brew coffee according to different ratios and concentrations.
- The ratio of coffee powder to coffee: the ratio of cold brew coffee is 1:5-1:8. and the ratio of cold brew espresso is about 1:3-1:4.
- Coffee concentration: The concentration of cold brew coffee is lower, but it can be drunk directly. Cold brew espresso has a higher concentration and needs to be diluted with liquid before drinking.
However, their production methods are roughly the same. Cold brew coffee is suitable for lovers of cold coffee, while cold brew espresso is more suitable for people who like to make various coffee drinks at home.
What's so special about cold brew coffee?
Smooth Taste
Cold brewed coffee usually tastes smoother, less acidic, and less bitter than hot brewed coffee. This is because the low temperature extraction during the cold brew process reduces the acidic components and bitterness of the coffee. Therefore, it is less irritating to the stomach and suitable for those who are sensitive to acidic drinks.
Improves Mood
Due to its caffeine content, cold coffee helps improve mental state, reduce stress, boost mood, and prevent fatigue and sleepiness. On the other hand, a study of 370,000 participants showed that regular coffee drinkers had a lower risk of depression (up to 8%).
Speed up metabolism
Metabolism is the process by which the body uses food to generate energy. In simple terms, the higher the metabolic rate, the more fat you burn at rest. Just like hot coffee, cold brew coffee also contains caffeine, which can increase the resting metabolic rate by 11%. Caffeine can increase the body's fat-burning rate, thereby increasing the metabolic rate. In an experiment involving 8 men, consuming caffeine increased calorie burning by 13% and fat burning by 2 times, which shows the benefits of caffeine.
Reduces risk of heart disease
Coffee contains compounds such as caffeine, phenols, magnesium, trigonelline, quinine, and lignans that can reduce the risk of cardiovascular disease. Drinking cold brew coffee can help stabilize blood sugar, lower blood pressure, and avoid diseases, heart disease, and stroke. Compared with people who do not drink coffee, it can reduce the risk of cardiovascular disease by 15%. However, people with hypertension should not consume caffeine regularly because it can cause blood pressure to rise.
Reduces risk of type 2 diabetes
If left untreated, high blood sugar levels can lead to diabetes and a host of dangerous health complications. But did you know that drinking cold brew coffee can help you prevent this disease? Studies have shown that cold brew coffee helps regulate gut peptides, controlling and slowing down the digestive process, thereby keeping blood sugar at a stable level, which can help you reduce your risk of the disease by up to 30%.
Limit Parkinson's and Alzheimer's disease
Many studies confirm that drinking coffee helps protect the brain from the effects of aging and neurodegenerative diseases that occur over time. Specifically, it can prevent Parkinson's and Alzheimer's, limit memory loss, mental health decline, and the impact of poor memory or hand tremors and joint stiffness on daily life. Drinking 2-3 cups of coffee in middle-aged and elderly people can reduce the risk of these two diseases.
Avoid negative effects on the stomach
Coffee is acidic, so some people who are not used to drinking coffee may experience acid reflux indigestion, and heartburn. However, some studies have shown that cold brewed coffee is slightly less acidic than hot coffee. This may reduce irritation to the stomach. In addition, cold brewed coffee also has a higher polysaccharide content, so it may also help boost the immune system of the digestive system.
Traditional method of making cold brew coffee
Grind the coffee beans
Grind the coffee beans to a coarse salt-like particle size. Coarse ground coffee allows for even extraction during long steeping and avoids over-extraction.
Mixing coffee grounds and water
Mix coffee grounds with water in a 1:8 ratio. For example, 100 grams of coffee grounds can be mixed with 800 ml of water. Make sure the coffee grounds are completely submerged in the water to ensure even extraction.
Steeping time and temperature
Leave the mixture at room temperature or in the refrigerator for 12 to 24 hours. The longer the steeping time, the richer the coffee flavor. You can adjust the time according to your personal preference.
Filter and store
Filter the steeped coffee through a filter to remove the coffee grounds. Pour the filtered coffee into an airtight container and store it in the refrigerator. Cold brew coffee can be kept in the refrigerator for up to one week.
ITEHIL Cold Brew Coffee Maker Best Practices
Prepare materials and tools
- 22g coffee powder
- 350ml water
- ITEHIL cold brew coffee machine
Preparation method
Pour 22 grams of coffee powder and 350 ml of water into the ITEHIL portable cold brew coffee maker, cover the cup lid, and press the cup lid button to start. During the brewing process, you can observe the operation of the coffee machine. Its operating noise is as low as 48 decibels, and within 30 seconds, you will see the color of the coffee change.
Advantages of ITEHIL Cold Brew Coffee Cup
- Quick cold brew technology, brewing time only takes 15 minutes.
- Portable and lightweight design, suitable for home, outdoor, office, etc.
- Built-in 1200mah battery, USB-C charging.
- Using baby-safe Tritan + environmentally friendly ABS+PC materials.
Related: The Ultimate Guide to the Best Cold Brew Coffee Cups of 2024
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the difference between cold brew and iced coffee?
Cold brew has a stronger flavor than iced coffee, which is usually milder. Cold brew has a smoother taste, while iced coffee can be a bit thinner.
Is cold brew stronger than regular coffee?
Yes. Cold brew coffee is usually stronger than regular (i.e. hot brew) coffee.
Should l grind my own coffee for cold brew?
If you like fresh coffee and are willing to spend the time and money, then grinding your own coffee to make cold brew coffee is a very good option. If you only drink cold brew coffee occasionally or are not very interested in the process of making coffee, then using pre-ground beans is also a good option.
Is cold brew healthier than energy drinks?
Cold brew coffee is generally healthier. It is made mainly from coffee beans and water, without additives or high sugar content. In contrast, many energy drinks contain a lot of sugar and other additives, which can have a certain impact on health. But you need to choose low-sugar or sugar-free cold brew coffee, which is a healthy choice.
Can you use regular coffee grounds to make cold brew?
Yes. But you need to control the grind size, steeping time, and ratio to enjoy a delicious cup of cold brew coffee.
