Cold brewing coffee: features of an unusual technology

Recently, the cold brewing method of coffee has become extremely popular. This is a relatively new technology with a number of advantages. It is easy to master the skills of unusual preparation of a coffee drink. The main thing is to know several important nuances of this technology.

What is cold coffee called?

The drink, which is usually brewed in a cold way, is called Cold brew. It is prepared by long extraction in ordinary water, which is not heated. This is its main difference from coffee Freddo and other coffee cocktails, which are brewed in hot water and then cooled.

How to cook it correctly

There are several options for making cold brew. If you do everything correctly, you will get a soft, pleasant-tasting drink. At the same time, you can create more sophisticated cocktails on its basis. For example, if you put whipped milk foam on the surface, you will get a cold cappuccino.

Infusion method

This recipe can be safely used at home. It is simple. When using it, you will need a glass container with a lid and medium-ground coffee beans.

The following ingredients are used:

• 100 g of ground coffee beans,
• 1 liter of cold water.

Preparation is carried out using the following technology:

• Pour coffee powder into a clean prepared container.
• Fill the container with water and cover with a lid.
• Let the resulting mixture sit for at least 12 hours.

Strain the finished drink using a sieve, but do not squeeze out the grounds. Otherwise, the coffee will be slightly bitter.
Instant coffee can be prepared in the same way. It does not require high temperatures for brewing. Even in cold water, the drink will be ready in a short period of time. It is enough to wait about half an hour.

Slow Drip Cold Brew

You can find special drip devices for cold brewing of coffee beans on sale. Among the most popular of these units are HARIO Shizuku and Toddy. They consist of three parts:

• the upper container. Ice is placed in it and water is poured in. There are holes in the bottom of this container through which liquid seeps,
• a medium tank equipped with a filter. Coffee powder is placed in it,
• a jug in which the finished drink is collected.

When using such teapots, preparation takes from 2 to 6 hours. In this case, 100 grams of ground coffee beans are also used per liter of water.

The difference between cold and hot brewed drinks

When preparing coffee drinks, regardless of the brewing method, the same ingredients are used. The composition includes water and ground beans. However, the result is different. The chemical reaction that occurs during preparation directly depends on the temperature of the water.

The main differences include the following:

• Cold coffee contains significantly more caffeine. This fact was proven during a scientific experiment conducted by US scientists. Therefore, it is recommended to dilute the finished drink with water or milk,
• Cold brew has a significantly higher concentration of chlorogenic acid, making the coffee tastier and healthier,
• the taste of a cold drink is more refined. It lacks astringency and viscosity. But berry and fruit shades, as well as caramel notes, are clearly noticeable. Its taste is often even compared to compote. It is incredibly bright and rich.
• That is why many coffee lovers say that this brewing method is the best.

Benefits and harms of cold coffee

Cold brewing coffee is recognized by many scientists as the best method of preparing coffee drinks. When consumed, it has the following positive effects on the body:

• replenishment of energy, getting a boost of energy. This is due to the high concentration of a natural stimulant,
• refreshing effect. It helps a lot on hot summer days,
• rapid removal of fluid from the body. Thanks to this property, it is possible to eliminate swelling,
• activation of the brain,
• improvement of psycho-emotional state,
• increasing work capacity and endurance.

It should also be noted that when using the cold brewing method, the acidity of coffee is significantly less. Accordingly, the intestinal walls are not irritated. This is an important point for people suffering from heartburn and problems with the gastrointestinal tract.

Despite the many positive properties, cold brew can also cause harm to the body.

Negative changes are observed when drinking coffee in excessive quantities.

In this case, the following problems may arise:

• under the influence of low temperatures, tooth enamel is destroyed,
• increased anxiety,
• sleep disorders,
• diarrhea,
• arrhythmia,
• osteoporosis,
• excessive weight gain (when adding sugar, cream and other high-calorie foods).

How to drink cold brew correctly

The drink is essentially a concentrate. Therefore, it is recommended to drink it in its pure form in minimal quantities. A maximum of two 50 ml servings per day is allowed.

This drink is a great base for coffee cocktails. It can be mixed with milk, condensed milk, honey, cream, ice cream and syrup. Cold brew goes well with lemon, cherry and orange juice.

The prepared cocktail is served in tall glass glasses. If the concentrate is consumed in its pure form, espresso cups are used. Ice cubes and an orange slice are also added to them.

An important advantage of this coffee is its long shelf life.

In a closed container, it can be kept in the refrigerator for up to two weeks. During this time, it will not lose its taste characteristics. Therefore, it can be prepared "in reserve".

Cold brew is a relatively new drink, but one that coffee lovers have already come to love. It is easy to prepare and has excellent taste qualities. In addition, it is considered healthier than coffee prepared in the classic way. This is often the deciding factor when deciding to brew coffee beans using the cold method.