If you aren’t too familiar with the idea of a cold brew, this guide's got you covered. Make your first experience the best one by getting all the information necessary to make a good purchase.
News for Newbies – What Exactly Is Cold Brew Coffee?
To find the best cold brew, you must first understand what it is. Cold brew coffee is commonly confused with iced coffee, but there’s a clear distinction between the two. I much prefer a cold brew over any old iced coffee. Cold brew is prepared without using any source of heat. Crazy, right?
You may be wondering how the coffee is brewed then. The usual process is to steep ground coffee beans in cold filtered water for long periods of time to extract the maximum flavor. This can take up to 12 hours, but, boy, is it worth it. Iced coffee, on the other hand, is prepared using regular brewed coffee poured over ice so you can enjoy the colder version.
If poured while still hot, the ice waters down the coffee. In simple words, the latter is brewed hot–just like any regular coffee. Once the coffee is cold brewed, however, the grounds are extracted, leaving you with a delicious cold brew coffee concentrate. Adjust the flavor of your coffee by adding more water as per your requirement, so the flavors aren't too overpowering.
Personally, I like it pretty strong with just a splash of cream, but you can doctor it up however you like. And while you can use a French press to prepare cold brew at home, you can also find cold brew makers to make a more authentic drink.
Temperature Affecting Taste – What You Need To Know
Surprisingly, the temperature at which the coffee is brewed can impact the flavor significantly. Regular, hot coffee is brewed between 195 and 205 F. In contrast, its colder counterpart is extracted between 35 and 70 F. Since the cold brewing method does not involve heating, you get a unique taste and texture that’s easy to distinguish.
However, brewing at colder temperatures requires double the amount of grounds and several hours before the coffee concentrate is ready, making it a delectable treat for coffee enthusiasts and newbies alike. Other factors that impact the flavor are the solubles and acids present in coffee beans.
Some of these can only be extracted when the coffee is brewed at a certain temperature. This is why cold brew has low acidic content and more flavor, which I'm all about. With the proper cold brewing method, you can guarantee a cup that’s both smooth and flavorful.
Thankfully, with so many ready-made options available in the market, you don’t have to get to those brewing technicalities yourself, if you don’t want to. I know I don't have that kind of time! So simply grab the coffee that you like best and enjoy the burst of flavors like never before.
What Makes an Excellent Cold Brew Coffee?
Type
With the increase in the popularity of cold brew, simple cold-brewed black coffee has evolved greatly. Today, you can find a variety of flavors and types to choose from. From picking the origin of the beans to trying out different types such as concentrate, nitro, New Orleans-style, and triple-shot, it's a whole world to explore. Learning about the different types and their distinguished features can help you narrow down your options and take you closer to a cup that fits you best.
Ingredients
Checking the list of ingredients can also help you pick a cold brew. Some prepared options may contain heavy amounts of sugar, which can ruin the nutritional value of your beverage. You can also look for organic options. This reduces the presence of pesticide residues. Also, avoid varieties that may contain preservatives or additives so that you can enjoy the authentic flavor of cold brew coffee.
Grind size
If you're making the cold brew yourself, it is important to remember that the grind size matters. For a cold brew, always choose a coarse grind. The finer grounds usually produce more bitter or harsher flavors.
Roast type
Choosing the roast type is more of a personal preference. If you are not too sure about the flavors you like, try experimenting with both dark and light roast. Just because you have a certain preference for regular coffee doesn’t mean it will be the same for cold brew.
However, some experts suggest choosing a roast that’s neither too dark nor too light. This helps keep the flavors naturally less acidic. On the contrary, others believe choosing a dark roast is a better idea to enjoy the rich flavors of earthiness, chocolate, and nuts cold brew naturally produces.
All in all, the right coffee - regardless of how it is brewed - depends on your personal preference. So choose accordingly and let all these factors help you pick the best one off the shelves.
