Over the past ten years, cold brew coffee seems to have broken through to the mainstream. It’s fairly common nowadays to walk into a coffee shop and see cold brew coffee on the menu. In fact, your local supermarket probably has a variety of different cold brew coffees for sale on their shelves. You’ll even see people drinking cups of cold brew coffee in the midst of winter. There’s no denying it, cold brew has become a very popular specialty. So you might be surprised to learn that cold brew is just as multifarious as hot coffee. There are a million different ways to prepare cold brew coffee for consumption. In this article, we’ll answer “What is cold brew coffee?” and “Does cold brew have less caffeine?”, as well as differentiate cold brew vs iced coffee.
What Is Cold Brew Coffee?
Cold brew coffee, also known as cold brewed coffee, is made by steeping coffee grounds in room temperature water. The amount of time it takes to steep varies, but usually tends to be around 12 to 24 hours. After this time has passed, the grounds will be strained out and chilled. You can then serve the coffee as it is, with ice, or diluted with water. Cold brew drinkers typically enjoy a cup with cream, sugar, or milk, the same as with regular coffee. The difference between a hot cup of coffee and a cold brewed cup is that the taste tends to be smoother and milder. Brewing with cold water doesn’t bring the more acidic chemical changes to coffee as it does with hot water. In addition to this, cold brew coffee tends to be less bitter.
The first records of cold brew coffee date back to 17th Century Japan. In the city of Kyoto, cold brew became popular. Dutch sailors discovered cold brew there and brought it on their long voyages. By the 1800s, cold brew had traveled from Japan all the way across Asia, Europe, and North America. Cold brew gained mass popularity in the U.S. about a decade ago. This is due to a succession of cafes in the Pacific Northwest adopting the cold brew process and selling it to customers.
This wave has continued to grow as national chains like Starbucks have adopted cold brew on their menus. In the mid-2010s, this caused a huge spike in the amount of people ordering iced drinks from the chain. Since then, cold brew has found a place on most small cafe menus in the United States. The love for cold brewed coffee doesn’t seem like it’s going to die out any time soon.
Cold Brew vs. Iced Coffee
Now that you know what it is, you might be wondering what the difference is between cold brew and iced coffee. There’s no debating the fact that a cup of cold brew or iced coffee on a summer day is absolutely refreshing. Sometimes you crave the taste of coffee but find yourself needing a refreshing drink. You get the best of both worlds when you choose cold brew or iced coffee. But what is the difference? And how do you choose cold brew vs iced coffee? Well, the two types of coffee are similar at first glance. But iced coffee is brewed using the standard method for hot coffee then chilled in a refrigerator or poured over ice. Cold brew coffee takes a longer time to make, but connoisseurs claim it makes the coffee even more delicious.
5 Things to Know About Cold Brew Coffee
Now that you know the basics about this delectable drink, let’s take a look at some fun facts about cold brew coffee.
Cold Brew and Caffeine
You might be wondering the answer to “Does cold brew have less caffeine than traditionally brewed coffee?” The answer here is a little complicated. Typically, people assume that cold brew is stronger in caffeine than other types of coffee. This is because it is brewed with a higher coffee-to-water ratio. However, it’s true that most cold brew concentrates are watered down either with milk or water. This waters down the amount of caffeine back to a normal cup of coffee.
Cold Brew Requires No Heat to Make
You might have deduced this after reading about the process of brewing. Cold brew coffee does not ever require to be put over heat to make. While some people do heat this type of coffee after it’s been brewed, it’s not a super common practice.
Cold Brew Is a Great Drink Before a Workout
Because it is typically high in caffeine, cold brew can give you consistent, reliable energy to take on a big workout. Cold brew and traditionally brewed coffee increase your post-workout energy expenditure. This means that it boosts your body’s ability to burn calories after a workout.
Cold Brew Is Better Coffee for Sensitive Stomachs
Since cold brew lessens the acidity of coffee, it’s a great way to consume coffee if you have a sensitive stomach. The bitterness of coffee is diluted when served as a cold brew. So, if you suffer from acid reflux but can’t help drinking coffee, cold brew might help.
Cold Brew Lasts Longer Than Traditionally Brewed Coffee
If you’ve ever had a day-old cup of coffee, you know that it doesn’t save well. The best kind of traditionally brewed coffee is freshly served. In contrast, a batch of cold brew coffee can last for up to two weeks.
Take Command of Your Day
Stop by Command Coffee in Indianapolis to get a taste of Indiana’s best coffee. Now that you know the answers to “What is cold brew coffee?” and “Does cold brew have less caffeine?”, you can order a cup of traditionally brewed or cold brewed coffee with greater appreciation. Order it however you like best. You can also feel free to chill out in our cozy cafe. And, if you can’t make it to our physical location, you can always check us out online. Purchase bags of our coffee so you can enjoy it wherever you go. For more information about our products, check out our website.