4 reasons why people love cold brew
By now you have probably already heard the buzz around cold brew. To some, it has become the go-to alternative to classic hot-brewed coffee.
And no, it’s not just iced coffee. Iced coffee is basically hot coffee chilled over ice. Cold brew is made by extracting coffee using cold or room-temperature water instead of hot water. Because it’s using lower temperature for extraction, it takes longer to brew. (Anywhere between 12 to 24 hours.) This method brings out that delicious chocolatey, nutty flavor associated with cold brew. (More on this below!)
Now you know the basic differences between hot coffee and cold brew, let’s talk about some of the reasons why people LOVE cold brew. (Including us!)
Lower acidity
Cold brew is great for everyone, but it’s especially beneficial for those with a sensitive stomach. Have you been avoiding coffee because of heartburn or acid reflux? Don’t worry - with cold brew, you don’t have to say bye to caffeine forever. Cold brew is known to be 67% less acidic than regular hot brewed coffee. This is because using cold water to brew extracts less acid and oils.
If you want that extra protection against upset stomach, try using a dark roast, which can help your stomach produce less excess acid.
Flavor
Due to the way its brewed, cold brew brings out different flavors than its hot counterpart. Cold brew brings out more of the rich, chocolatey, nutty flavors and leaves out the bitterness.
Different roasts can also affect the flavor. Medium roasts tend to taste more crisp & bright. They’re great for drinking on their own over ice. Dark roasts, on the other hand, tend to have more chocolate, nuttier, richer tastes. They’re great for maing cold brew lattes. With milk or cream, you’ll get that super smooth, creamy texture.
Related: Why your cold brew is weak
Long-lasting
Unlike its hot counterpart, cold brewed coffee can be stored in the fridge for up to 2 weeks. That means you can make a big batch upfront and not have to worry about making a new cup until you’re out!
Versatility
Cold brew can be brewed in two ways. One way is to make it RTD (ready-to-drink) and the other way is as a cold brew concentrate. We prefer making concentrates because it’s more versatile.
Cold brew concentrate is made with a higher coffee-to-water ratio (for example, 1 part coffee to 4 parts water). Concentrates can be diluted with water or milk of your choice. Can’t quite let go of hot coffee? Don’t you worry. You can actually drink cold brew “hot” by mixing 1 part concentrate with 1 part boiling water.
And guess what? You can also use cold brew concentrate in cocktail recipes and baking recipes!
So now that you’ve read about the 4 reasons why people love cold brew, are you ready to start making your own at home? We have another post covering how to make delicious, failproof cold brew. So be sure to check that one out as well!
