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The art of brewing and enjoying coffee never stops evolving: one of the latest trends in coffee brewing is cold extraction, better known as cold brew. This alternative to traditional hot coffee appeals to novices and connoisseurs alike. In this article, we will explore what cold brew coffee is, its origins, how it is prepared and how it should be stored.
The origins of cold brew coffee date back to 17th-century Japan, where it was known as ‘Kyoto-style coffee’. This method of preparation has travelled through time and space, finding its place in modern Western coffee shops due to the growing demand for coffee drinks that offer more delicate and less bitter flavours than traditional hot coffee.
Cold brew coffee is a beverage obtained by soaking coarse ground coffee in cold water for a long period of time, usually 12 to 24 hours. This extraction technique uses time instead of heat to extract the flavours from the coffee beans, producing an end result that is typically less acidic and bitter than coffee prepared by traditional methods.
It is important not to confuse cold brew coffee with iced coffee, which is simply hot coffee cooled and served with ice. This fundamental difference in preparation method leads to quite different taste and consistency results. Indeed, if cold brew coffee tastes softer and less acidic, with hints of natural sweetness, iced coffee can be more bitter due to the rapid cooling process of hot coffee and tends to deteriorate more quickly.
The recipe for cold brew coffee is very simple. While in hot extraction, heat helps dissolve the solids, in cold extraction it will take longer to do so. The importance of the cold brew method revolves around its ability to slowly extract the fats and oils naturally contained in coffee while preserving them from oxidation. Therefore, one must first arm oneself with a little patience, quality raw material and – though not necessarily – suitable tools. De Roccis ground coffee is definitely a good starting point for preparing the perfect cold brew coffee.
Homemade cold brew coffee can basically be obtained in two ways: full immersion or cold drip. The immersion method involves the infusion of ground coffee in cold water for a whole day and subsequent filtering. The result is usually cloudier and the perception in the mouth is less clean due to small sediments. In contrast, the cold drip system consists of slowly dripping cold water onto a bed of ground coffee. This continuous flow of clean water droplets penetrating through the coffee has a greater extraction power and significantly shortens the extraction time.
Here is a step-by-step guide:
One of the advantages of cold brew coffee is its long shelf life: by not extracting the oily part of the coffee, which is more soluble with heat, the extracted beverage can be stored in the fridge in an airtight container for up to a week while maintaining its organoleptic properties. Moreover, cold brew coffee is particularly versatile: it can also be made in a concentrated version that, among other things, goes very well with ice cream, cakes or even cocktails. And if you are sensitive to caffeine, but do not want to give up this delight, opt for a decaf cold brew coffee and eventually adjust the intensity afterwards by simply diluting it with a little water.
Contrary to what one might think, coffee has been enjoyed cold for centuries – a habit that has been widely rediscovered by coffee shops and coffee lovers, especially on the eve of summer. Indeed, cold brew coffee offers a refreshing and unique way to enjoy coffee, with a preparation process that values patience and quality ingredients. Its fascinating history, distinctive flavour and versatility in consumption make it an excellent choice for anyone looking for something different from the usual hot coffee or iced coffee. And with a few simple steps, anyone can prepare it in the comfort of their own home.