7 Cool Facts About Cold Brew Coffee and Why You Should Drink It

Now we are at the height of summertime, you may be tempted to consider reaching for an iced coffee. But, why not try something a little different this year? We recommend you give Cold Brew coffee a go!

So what is Cold Brew?

Cold Brew coffee is made from coffee beans that have been steeped in cold water for 12 to 24 hours. During this time, its flavour, caffeine content and sugars are extracted. The steeping process is to ensure you don’t end up with a bitter tasting coffee. The soluble compounds including the oils and acids that give hot beverages its signature taste and aroma are less easily released in cold water than in hot water, hence the use of more coffee ground relative to water and a longer infusion time. Cold Brew coffee is different to your regular iced coffee which is made by pouring hot brewed coffee over ice.

Nitro Brew coffee is similar to Cold Brew coffee, except it is a nitrogen-infused brew stored in beer kegs and served on draft, just like a pint of Guinness. The idea behind using a beer tap to serve Nitro coffee is that is produces a creamier, sweeter flavour and foamy head. If you like your coffee cold, creamy and strong then Nitro coffee is the one for you to try this summer. Read more about Nitro here.

1. No Heat is Required with Cold Brew

No heating elements are required in the process of making cold brew. This is ideal for those summer months, when the last thing you need is a beverage that is going to raise your temperature! A cold brew can make you feel more chilled, relaxed and refreshed.

2. It Tastes Sweeter

Cold brew coffee tastes much sweeter than regular coffee because it has approximately 67% less acidity than a hot brew. Cold brew can be just as full-bodied and smooth as a hot beverage, but without any bitter aftertastes. It allows for a different flavour profile to appear. When produced cold, the oils and acid that accompany hot coffees are softened The result is a stronger flavour profile that enhances the fruity, vanilla and milk chocolate notes of the coffee beans.

3. Cold Brew Contains More Caffeine Than Regular Coffee

Due to the long steeping process, cold brews coffee-to-water ratio is at about 1:60 in comparison to the drip coffee ratio of 1:20. Regular coffee is also often diluted with milk, cream or water which reduces the caffeine concentration. It is not recommended however, to add milk, cream or water to Nitro coffee because it can destroy the taste. A 16-ounce cup of cold brew can give you around 200 mg of caffeine, whereas a cup of hot brew will give you between 160 – 180 mg depending on the coffee beans you use, how long the coffee is steeped for and how much milk, cream or water is used to dilute the brew.

4. Cold Brew is a Great Pre-Workout Drink

Thanks to its high caffeine content, cold brew can give you the motivation you need to face your workout session. By having a cold brew before a workout, you will double your chances of making it through without feeling fatigued and experiencing muscle pain.

You will increase your post-energy expenditure or after-burn effect, which is the term used to describe the body’s ability to continue burning calories after exercise. Regular coffee has this effect too, but in the summer months it is more than likely you will be wanting to replace your hot brew with a cold brew. This way you will still be experiencing your caffeine hit without waiting for your coffee to cool down!

5. Drinking Cold Brew is a Better Alternative for Those with Sensitive Stomachs

The heat used in the process of making regular coffee can product bitter flavour profiles. Heat is not required in the making of cold brew so the flavour tends to be smoother and the coffee is less acidic. This is more suited to those who struggle with sensitive stomachs, or suffer from acid reflux as cold brew is more tolerable.

6. Cold Brew is Good for Dieting

If you are looking to shed a few pounds this summer, or just want to have better control over your weight, then cold brew is the drink for you. Nitro brew is recommended especially for kicking the sugar habit. Adding sugar, milk and cream to your brew can add up to about 70 calories per cup, whereas Nitro brew is without these extras and has zero calories. The nitro infusion used in the creation of the coffee gives the end result a rich, creamy taste without the need for any additives.

7. Leftover Cold Brew Can Be Used to Make Ice Cream

That’s right. Cold brew has many uses, even after it has been consumed. Cold brew liquid concentrate can be used to make coffee ice-cream, ice-cubes to make your regular iced coffee taste better, or for other sweet treats like coffee-infused brownies. Even coffee smoothies, when mixing some of the concentrate with banana, soy milk or yoghurt.

Bottom line is Cold Brew is definitely worth a try this summer. It is useful for dieting purposes, has a sweeter taste profile, is a great pre-workout drink and has double the caffeine content but less calories than a regular coffee.