What is Cold Brew, the coffee that reminds us of black beer?

The new trend in iced coffee is a foamy, silky coffee, which is served by a barrel and looks like dark beer. What exactly is Nitro Cold Brew?

Cold Brew is cold extraction coffee, that is, coffee that is extracted from the beginning in cold water. Of course, while the coffee that is extracted in hot water unfolds its aromas in a few seconds or at most in a few minutes, the low water temperature slows the process significantly, resulting in the cold extraction lasting from 12 to 36 hours. As a method, cold extraction has its roots in Japan, in which has been followed for centuries, but Cold Brew has gained popularity in recent years, part of the trend called the "Third Wave of Coffee". Beginning primarily from USA, Cold Brew has gradually conquered the countries of Europe until it arrived in Greece where, due to climate and Greek temperament as well as Greek coffee culture, the demand for iced, refreshing coffee beverages is always high.

Due to the process of extraction, Cold Brew is quite different from any other coffee beverage, and is surely offset by the hot coffee that has cooled after its extraction. The main characteristics of the flavor of the cold extraction coffee are the natural sweetness and the absence of bitterness, while it is characteristic that it has the lowest acidity than any other type of coffee. Due to these characteristics, Cold Brew is the basis for many alcoholic cocktails that combine coffee and alcohol, as the taste of the coffee, free from bitterness and acidity, marries superbly with the taste of many different beverages.

Those who do not particularly like Cold Brew have as their main argument the absence of  body that characterizes it. In spite of its highly complex flavor, Cold Brew lacks body and texture: this invention is based on the invention of its Nitro Cold Brew!

What is Nitro Cold Brew;

Nitro Cold Brew is nothing but nitrogen-enriched cold extraction coffee. Nitrogen not only helps keep coffee fresh, but improves its texture significantly, creating creamy sensation, richer body and a light foam similar to beer. Nitrogen, unlike carbon dioxide, used in sodas and frozen beverages, generates foam instead of bubbles, while the "burning" characteristic of carbonated soft drinks is absent.

The proportions of Nitro Cold Brew with beer do not stop only in the sense that leaves it in the mouth: nitrogen is an element used to give the desired texture to draft beers like Guinness, while many stores serve Nitro Cold Brew from barrels, similar to those used for serving beer.

Nitro Cold Brew appeared in the early part of the 00ies, and for his paternity, he had several cafes, mainly in America, but his popularity was launched from 2015 onwards, when it make a breakthrough from the hipster culture and the specialty coffee shops and made it to the mainstream audience.

Is Nitro Cold Brew healthier than other coffees?

Often, Nitro Cold Brew is marketed for being healthier than other coffees. Although scientifically, this claim has no basis, it is true that its natural sweetness makes the addition of sugar unnecessary, so the drink has significantly fewer calories, especially for those who tend to enjoy their coffee moderate or sweet. Still, the low acidity of Cold Brew makes it more easily digestible in people who have stomach sensitivity to coffee acids. On the other hand, we should not forget that several times, Nitro Cold Brew has a higher caffeine content than other extracts, especially since Nitro Cold Brew served in cafes is usually quite concentrated to enhance its flavor.

Is it possible to prepare Nitro Cold Brew at home?

While Cold Brew can be made very easily at home, following some very simple steps, as it does not require special equipment or specialized know-how, Nitro Cold Brew does not. Nitrogen coffee production requires specialized (and relatively expensive) equipment, while adding nitrogen is a process that needs a specific know-how. Still, Nitro Cold Brew, due to its nature, is usually prepared in large quantities, and it is difficult to prepare it in individual doses, which also hampers household consumption.

With the weather slowly warming up and appetite for frozen, refreshing coffees growing, Cold Brew, with or without nitrogen, is starting to look more and more appealing. Prepare a Cold Brew bottle at home for your daily afternoon relaxation and enjoy a frozen Nitro Cold Brew when you are given the opportunity. Meanwhile, what matters is good coffee!