What is Cold Brew?

Cold brew (cold brew) ), in its simplest definition, is coffee brewed with cold water. With the increase in the number of third wave coffee shops in recent years, it has become increasingly popular all over the world. So what exactly is cold brew coffee? What is the difference between cold brew and iced coffee? Is it possible to make cold brew at home? Here are the questions about cold brew…

What is Cold Brew?

Cold brew, as the name suggests, is brewing coffee with cold water. It is a brewing technique. Contrary to conventional coffee, coffee beans never come into contact with hot water in cold brew technique. Cold brew uses time, not heat, to release the oils, sugars, and caffeine in the coffee bean.

Cold brew brews medium or coarse beans 12 to It is kept in room temperature water for 24 hours. In some techniques, this brewing process can also be performed in the refrigerator.

After the holding period, the mixture is filtered drop by drop.

Cold brew coffee can also be served hot.

The technique in which the flavor is softened by injecting nitrogen into the coffee concentrate obtained by this method is called nitro cold brew.

History of Cold Brew Technique

The origins of the cold brew technique go back to Japan. In Japan, where coffee has been traditionally brewed this way for hundreds of years, cold brew is also known as ‘Kyoto style‘. This technique is also known as ‘Dutch coffee’ in East Asia, referring to the coffee essences brought to the region by Dutch traders.

The Difference Between Cold Brew and Normal Coffee

Hot There are many differences between brewing and cold brewing in terms of aroma, acidity and taste. This is because coffee beans give different chemical reactions when they come into contact with hot and cold water.

Softer: Brewing coffee in hot water leads to greater release of compounds that are only soluble at higher temperatures, such as caffeine, fatty and fatty acids. Cold brew, on the other hand, provides less release of compounds that give the bitter taste to coffee, especially oils.

Low Acidity Ratio: Therefore, cold brew coffee has a lower acidity rate.

Therefore, it tastes softer and is easier to digest. Cold brew can be consumed much more easily by people with reflux and stomach ailments.

The Caffeine Ratio is Different: Let’s say from the beginning, it is not possible to make a fixed comparison about the caffeine ratio of hot and cold brewed coffees. . Because the amount of caffeine in any coffee will vary depending on the amount of coffee and water used, the type of coffee, how much milk or cream it is prepared with.

However, cold brew coffee usually contains more caffeine. As for the reason… In fact, assuming equal amounts of water and coffee are used, hot brewed coffee will always have more caffeine than cold brew coffee. However, a higher coffee-to-water ratio is generally used in the cold brew method. This means that cold brew coffee often contains more caffeine.

What is the Difference Between Cold Brew and Cold Coffee?

Those who are introduced to cold brew for the first time can rightly will ask the question: What is the difference between cold brew and iced coffee?

The iced) coffee, which we met long before the spread of third wave coffee makers, is actually obtained by adding ice to any coffee after it comes to room temperature.

But iced coffee has a higher acidity than cold brew, as does hot brewed coffee.

Making Cold Brew at Home

Do not be discouraged by the preparation of cold brew coffee with special and expensive brewing tools in setups including test tubes in coffee shops. Preparing cold brew at home is actually not as difficult as it may seem. Of course, you can get it from semi-professional devices sold on the Internet, but you can also handle this job with very simple methods.

You need three basic things to prepare cold brew coffee at home: coffee beans that suit your taste, the tool you will use in the brewing process (jar). or even French press) and time.

Preparing Cold Brew at Home with French Press

For the French Press, add 100 grams of coffee to 500 ml of water at room temperature. mix with. Stir gently to make sure all beans are in contact with the water. Cover the French Press in an airtight manner and leave it at room temperature or in the refrigerator for 14-16 hours.

After this time, strain by pressing the French Press.

In this method, combine 100 grams of coffee with larger beans and 500 ml of water at room temperature in a jar. Stir gently to make sure all the beans are in contact with the water and close the jar tightly. Let the mixture sit at room temperature or in the refrigerator for 12 to 24 hours. Shake occasionally during this process.

At the end of the time, place a strainer in a large bowl and put the paper filter in the strainer. Slowly pour the brewed mixture into the filter and let it drain drop by drop. Put the cold coffee concentrate you have obtained back in the jar and keep it in the refrigerator.

How to Serve Cold Brew?

To be cold or even hot with cold brew that you prepare at home You can prepare any type of coffee you want. The first thing you should do is to taste your own cold brew concentrate. The harmony of the hardness of the concentrate with your taste will determine how much water and milk you will use in the coffees you will prepare. During this palate test, remember that the longer the brewing time, the stronger the concentrate.

You can serve cold brew coffee ‘plain’ with just water and ice, as well as milk, cream, chocolate, caramel, vanilla, coconut. You can sweeten it with kahlua and various liqueurs.

You can use cold brew concentrate at home to make ice cream or in desserts such as tiramisu and cakes.

Hot Cold Brew!

Although it is not very common in our country, cold brew concentrate can also be served by mixing it with hot water.

In this method, the coffee brewed with the cold brew technique is kept in a barrel resembling a beer keg with nitrogen for 12 hours instead of being filtered immediately. Thanks to nitrogen, an extremely soft-tasting coffee is obtained.

Who Can Say No to Coffee Ice Cubes?

You can freeze the cold brew mix in ice containers and use coffee ice cubes. you can get. You can use these cubes while serving your cold brew coffee and to prevent your drink from getting watery in hot weather.