Cold brew coffee is popping up everywhere, from the menu of your favorite coffeehouse to the refrigerated section of your local grocery store. But what is cold brew coffee, and why are people raving about it?
“Cold brew” refers to the way the coffee is brewed, not the way it is served. Cold brew coffee is slowly steeped in cold water using coarsely ground coffee beans. Unlike traditional hot coffee that you can brew in a few minutes, cold brew takes 12 hours to achieve the signature result.
When you taste a high-quality cup of cold brew coffee, the difference is apparent. Coffee made using the cold brew method has a smoother, naturally sweeter result that tastes less acidic than traditional hot-brewed coffee. The reason is the solubility of the organic acids inherit in coffee are extracted at higher brewing temperatures. The organic acids (like citric, malic, formic, quinic and acetic) are a signature aspect of hot-brewed coffee’s flavor and aroma yet only dissolve in hot water. The cold brew method doesn’t extract the bright flavors associated with these acids but extracts the rich chocolate and caramel notes that result in the rich and smooth beverage with a difference that you can taste.
☞ Uses a hot, fast brewing process
☞ Coffee grounds brewed at 200° for 3-5 minutes
☞ Hot water extracts acidity and aromatics quickly, which has a big impact on the coffee’s flavor
☞ Organic acids (like citric, malic, formic, quinic and acetic) are a signature aspect of hot-brewed coffee’s flavor and aroma yet only dissolve in hot water
☞ Uses a hot, fast brewing process
☞ Coffee grounds brewed at 200° for 3-5 minutes, then poured over ice to instantly flash-chill it
☞ Brewed at double strength because the ice melts and dilutes the coffee
☞ Commonly confused with cold brew because it is served cold over ice, but it is not prepared following a cold brew process (brewed cold over time, etc.)
☞ Uses a cold, slow brewing process using time rather than heat
☞ Coffee grounds gently steeped for 12 hours in cold water instead of hot water
☞ The water temperature doesn’t dissolve the soluble acids in the coffee, so the acidity and aromatics that some people do not prefer are not extracted into the finished product
☞ Instead, sweet caramel and chocolate notes are extracted, and the resulting flavor is smooth and mellow with lower perceived acidity and bitterness. Delicious served hot or cold.
Cold brewing from scratch at home can be quite the task, but that doesn't mean you must choose between expensive coffeehouse cold brew and the messy, time-consuming process of cold brewing at home.
JAVA HOUSE® Dual-Use Liquid Coffee Pods can be enjoyed hot or cold at home. To enjoy hot, place a pod into a single-serve brewer (works in all K-CUP®* brewers) with the tab facing up for a rich yet smooth cup of coffee. To enjoy cold, slowly peel open the pod, pour over ice and add water. For best results, use 8 fl. oz. of water, whether enjoying hot or cold.
The smooth, rich taste of cold brew can be savored by itself all year long. The caramel and chocolate notes extracted are characteristic features of cold brew and not something you'll naturally find using other coffee brewing methods. Now you can enjoy this top food trend at home without any hassle.
*K-CUP® is a trademark of Keurig Green Mountain, Inc. JAVA HOUSE® Dual-Use Liquid Coffee Pods are not affiliated with Keurig Green Mountain, Inc.
Keep in mind, JAVA HOUSE® does not use any preservatives, coffee additives, coffee derivatives or reconstituted coffee. It's just a great-tasting cold brew coffee that lets you become a home barista using four varieties: Colombian, Ethiopian, Sumatran and Decaf. Visit javahouse.com to learn more.
