Tiếng Việt |
| What is Cold Brew? A Guide to Making Proper Iced Coffee |
In a highly competitive beverage market like Vietnam, the appearance of Cold Brew is like a breath of fresh air and has become a favorite trend among coffee enthusiasts. The difference of this beverage lies in its delicate and unique flavor—less sour, less bitter, and with a characteristic aroma. Let’s explore the fascinating world of this refreshing cold coffee!
What is Cold Brew?
As a coffee enthusiast, you probably have 1-2 signature drinks and rarely switch to new choices. However, be sure that the appearance of Cold Brew will change your perspective.
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| Cold Brew Coffee with Unique Flavor |
In terms of form and ingredients, Cold Brew is not too different as it still uses coffee beans with a characteristic dark color. However, the uniqueness lies in the fact that it is entirely brewed using cold water.
Then, it undergoes a “steeping” process for a certain period of time to create a unique flavor profile. It is smoother, less sour, less bitter, and has a subtle aroma. Moreover, the coffee’s texture becomes denser due to the prolonged extraction process.
What Makes Cold Brew Different from Hot Coffee?
As mentioned, Cold Brew uses a specific extraction method. With differences in temperature, pressure, brewing method, etc., the concentration of compounds in the coffee beans will result in different coffee flavors. Therefore, it will bring distinct reactions and characteristics:
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| Instead of using hot water, Cold Brew is brewed using cold water |
Firstly, Cold Brew uses non-condensed water for brewing, so the coffee extraction is not damaged or wasted. With a longer steeping time, it maximizes the extraction of coffee essence, resulting in the most natural taste.
In contrast, hot coffee uses a shorter extraction time, and the soluble compounds in the coffee grounds are better extracted. The result is that Hot Brew Coffee has a fuller body and bolder flavor. Hot water can oxidize some compounds in coffee, leading to a more acidic and bitter taste.
However, this is completely different for Cold Brew. If you’re not a fan of sour and bitter coffee, you may want to try Cold Brew.
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| Cold Brew has a mild acidity and less bitterness compared to hot coffee |
Cold Brew – 6 Steps to Make Proper Iced Coffee
Appearing in Vietnam in recent years, Cold Brew has attracted a lot of attention from coffee lovers, especially the younger generation. However, contrary to the initial investment of the brewing process, the method to prepare this beverage is simpler than you might think. Let’s follow the step-by-step instructions below to make a perfect cup of cold coffee!
Step 1: First, you need to prepare 250g of ground coffee. The requirement is to grind the coffee to a medium texture because it will soak in water for a long time.
Step 2: Divide the freshly ground coffee into two equal portions. One portion will be placed in a glass container with 500ml of water and stirred well, then let it rest for 5 minutes. The other portion will
be mixed with 500ml of room temperature water and stirred well.
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| Proper Cold Brew Brewing Method |
Step 3: Close the lid of the glass container, stir well, and then refrigerate it for about 12 to 24 hours. The steeping time will depend on the amount of coffee used.
Step 4: After the specified time, take the coffee out and use a filter to strain it into a second glass container. Pour the coffee slowly into the filter to separate the coffee grounds from the liquid. After the coffee is fully drained, discard the coffee grounds, but do not squeeze them by hand.
Step 5: The coffee liquid that has passed through the filter will be strained again through a third glass container. Remember to place a wet food-grade filter paper on top of the container.
Step 6: Perform the second straining process by pouring the coffee slowly from the first container through the filter, and then wait for the coffee to drain completely. Now you have completed the simple yet quality cold brew coffee brewing process.
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| Enjoying a Tasty Cold Brew |
To enjoy, you can add a little sugar or fresh milk according to your taste preference. However, to avoid potential digestive issues, it’s best to limit using condensed milk.
Cold Brew can be described as a unique, delightful, and digestive-friendly beverage. After discovering the uniqueness of this refreshing cold coffee, don’t forget to diversify your taste experiences! It will undoubtedly bring you a fascinating coffee journey.