Cold Brew - the art of cold brewing coffee

What is cold brew?

Cold Brew, or cold brewing, is a method of preparing coffee that does not use hot water or high temperatures. This method is extremely simple; it only involves soaking ground coffee in cold water and letting it steep for an extended period (from 6 to 24 hours).

This type of coffee is renowned for its refined flavor thanks to its unusual brewing method, offering a novel taste, less acidity, less bitterness, and a more restrained aroma compared to coffee brewed with hot water.

As a breath of fresh air in Vietnam's highly competitive beverage market, Cold Brew is gradually becoming a trend embraced by tea and coffee shops in the past year.

The origins of cold brew coffee.

Cold Brew coffee originated in the Netherlands, the land of tulips. In the old days, Dutch sailors carried coffee on long sea voyages. To conserve fuel, the coffee wasn't brewed in the usual way but was steeped in water containers and stored in the ship's hold. This method allowed sailors to preserve the coffee for longer periods and took up less space, yet the flavor differed from hot-brewed coffee.

This method was later brought to Japan by Dutch merchants. The Japanese, intrigued by the unique flavor of cold-brewed coffee, learned the brewing technique and popularized it widely.

After much experimentation and research, the Japanese discovered that extracting small amounts of coffee resulted in a more palatable beverage than steeping large quantities of coffee in water. A barista in Kyoto invented a three-tiered brewing device for extracting coffee. The results were incredibly positive; this extracted coffee became popular and famous, becoming a signature drink of Kyoto.

In the 1870s, cold-brew coffee gradually spread to many countries, including England and the United States. Particularly in Peru, a man named Todd Simpson had an immense passion for cold-brew coffee. Simpson discovered his own method and patented a cold-brew coffee brewing kit. This kit used multiple filter cones and ice, resulting in coffee with 67% less natural acidity than hot coffee. This can be considered the foundation of modern cold-brew coffee.

The benefits of cold brew coffee.

Differences in brewing methods not only give coffee its unique flavor but also alter the nutrients within the coffee bean.

With conventional brewing methods, high temperatures cause the substances in coffee to dissolve faster, resulting in a richer flavor.

By cold brewing, the finished beverage will contain less acid, resulting in a milder and less sour flavor compared to hot-brewed coffee. Therefore, cold-brewed coffee will not cause that burning sensation in the stomach after drinking.

Because it's less acidic, cold brew coffee has a sweeter taste, so it can be enjoyed without adding sugar or milk to mellow the flavor. Additionally, cold brew coffee easily combines with other ingredients like alcohol or fruit to create unique and novel beverages.

Cold brew coffee also contains more antioxidants than hot brewed coffee. This is because high temperatures destroy a large amount of the natural antioxidants in coffee. After two steps of roasting and hot brewing, a significant amount of antioxidants is lost. Therefore, cold brew coffee is healthier.

One advantage of cold brew coffee is its longer shelf life. While hot brew coffee must be consumed on the same day, cold brew can be stored in the refrigerator for up to 10 days without affecting its flavor or nutrients.

How to make cold brew coffee at home

Materials and tools

250 g of coffee (you can use whole coffee beans or coarsely ground ground coffee).

2 liters of water.

The cold brew container should have a tight-fitting lid (a glass jar can be used).

Coffee filter paper.

Coffee pot.

Stirring spoon.

Making

Step 1: Grind 250g of pure, unprocessed coffee beans coarsely, not finely.

Step 2: Add 125g of the prepared ground coffee to the Cold Brew brewing pot, slowly pour in 1 liter of water, and stir well to allow the coffee to absorb the water.

Step 3: After the coffee has steeped for 5 minutes, add the remaining 125g of coffee to the brewing pot, then slowly pour in the remaining 1 liter of water.

Step 4: Cover tightly and place in the refrigerator, letting it steep for 12-24 hours depending on the mixing ratio and desired strength.

Step 5: After steeping for the required time, remove the coffee from the refrigerator, place a coffee filter over the pot, and slowly pour the coffee through the filter to remove the coffee grounds.

Notes when brewing Cold B coffeerew at home

- The deliciousness of coffee is determined by the quality of the coffee beans, so pay close attention to the coffee selection process. You can consider brands such as Robusta, Arabica (medium-roasted Arabica, light-roasted Arabica), etc.

- Make sure your coffee powder is coarsely ground, not finely ground like coffee used for drip coffee.

- During the coffee brewing process, avoid pressing the coffee grounds down with your hands, as this will prevent the coffee from being clear.

- Cold Brew coffee tastes best within 7 days of brewing.

Don't miss out on Cold Brew tea.

Besides coffee, tea can also be prepared using the cold brewing method. Suitable tea varieties for cold brew include:

White teaThe flavor of cold brew white tea is very pleasant, creating a smooth, mellow sensation when drinking, with low caffeine content.

Green teaThis is a popular and widely used type of cold-brewed tea. Cold-brewed green tea has a fresh, invigorating flavor and, importantly, is not bitter. You can also combine it with mint leaves for a delightful experience.

Oolong teaCold brew oolong tea delivers an explosive flavor, perfect for a long day when you need to stay alert.

Black teaBlack tea is often blended with flavored herbal teas such as peach, pineapple, mango, hibiscus, or any other flavor you like.

Herbal tea contains caffeine.This group includes teas such as yerba mate and guayusa. When brewed as cold brew, these teas have reduced caffeine and bitterness.

Caffeine-free herbal teaThis type of cold brew is well worth trying due to its pleasant flavor and suitability for almost everyone. Common herbs used in cold brew include hibiscus, lemongrass, mint, ginger, rose, chamomile, etc.

Rooibos tea (South African red tea)Rooibos cold brew tea has a delicious, mild flavor and is rich in antioxidants. South African rooibos tea does not need to be rinsed with hot water before cold brewing.

Bo Di