Imagine yourself on a plane traveling to an exciting place, or on a road trip. Imagine yourself going out with your friends on a camping mission upon getting that much awaited vacation. No matter where you are, what you’re doing – a great cup of coffee would definitely be the cherry on the top, wouldn’t it? 

Brewing on the move sounds a bit tricky in the onset but once you get into it, you’ll know it’s less difficult than you thought it is. It doesn’t matter whether you like it hot or cold. A decent brew can be the gateway to that perfect cup of coffee. However, the availability of hot water during traveling or on a trip is just largely unlikely. Unless you’re that person who actually prepares for each and every possible situation, there isn’t going to be a hot water source to use.

In such cases, cold brew is the only way out. You can also check out Leascoffee to get some ideas about portable coffee makers. 

What is Cold Brewing?

In short, cold brewing is steeping coffee grounds in water maintaining a fairly low temperature level for a considerable period of time. Thus, take coarse-ground coffee beans, soak them in room-temperature water (or chilled water, if required) for a period of 12 to 24 hours to extract sugar and fats. Now, you just need to filter the steeped beans out of the water. You should use a paper coffee filter for that matter. If not, use a fine metal sieve or a French press to your aid.

You’re done! What you have in front of you is a diluted coffee concentrate, ready to be served hot or chilled. It works best if you have milk or water added. The coffee can be served over ice or even blended with chocolate.

Originated in Japan, cold brew has made it to all over Asia in the recent past. This has duly resulted in multiple variations and options of cold brew all throughout and has definitely managed to eliminate the need of hot water during traveling or camping in order to have a decent cup of coffee.

How to Use Cold Brewer

1, Pick a container of your preference and mix the coffee with the water. Keep stirring the mixture until you’re certain they’ve combined. It’s advisable to let the mixture rest for a few minutes, stir and keep repeating this because in this way the beans are more exposed to water. Ensure that your container has a lid on it. Seal it tightly and refrigerate it for up to 24 hours. Make sure to have your measurements up to mark for a perfect start.

2. After you’re done refrigerating the mixture for such a period, take it out. Use a coffee filter paper to separate the coffee concentrate from the mixture. You may also use a thin napkin or handkerchief over a mesh sieve and pour the concentrate into a measuring pitcher. Again, let it rest for a couple of minutes for full effect.

3. It’s time for an eye catching serve! Take a glass and ice into it. Fill it halfway with water. Take the coffee concentrate you prepared and pour it into the rest of the glass.

4. Remember to finish the cold brew concentrate within a week because the best flavor is arguably consistent throughout this time. However, it’s noticed to maintain its standard in the refrigerator for about an entire fortnight. 

What Sets Cold Brew Apart from Hot Brew?

It’s pretty clear from the very first sip that brewing with cold water would be different from doing the same with hot water.

1. Cold brew coffee possesses low levels of acidity and bitterness: When water pulls sugar, acids and oils from coffee grounds, we call it extraction. The high temperature levels maintained in hot brew makes the acids decay into very bitter resultant compounds. On the other hand, if the temperature whilst hot brewing is too low, you’ll experience a sour cup of coffee because the temperature’s unable to dissolve the required non-acidic substances for balancing the flavor. 

But cold brewing changes the extracted compounds to its advantage. Acids which cause the bitterness in hot brew aren’t extracted if we use cold brew. Additionally, cold brew can’t oxidize acids adding sharpness to the coffee. The result is a worthwhile cup of coffee.

1. Added versatility of cold brew coffee: You would not consider hot brew coffee to be versatile. There just aren’t enough variants it can pull off. Whereas cold brew coffee introduces a coffee concentrate ready to be paired with a handful of ingredients and to produce a plethora of combinations. You name it – iced coffee, cold brew cocktails, latte and soda, it’s essentially an entire drink making canvas to paint on.

1. Plethora of flavors in cold brew: This is another crucial difference in discussion. High levels of oxidation and degradation in hot brew coffee refers to a rounded flavor and aroma, coupled with a dint of sweetness and solid acidity with just a little bitterness. Whereas cold brew is just a smooth flavor with sweetness, alongside little acidity and null bitterness. As oils in cold brew remain cold, they don’t evaporate away unlike hot brew does. Thus, a vibrant punch of flavors while having cold coffee due to the presence of those oils might take your experience up a notch.

1. Miniscule difference in caffeine levels: There’s always been a myth around town that cold brew holds unequal caffeine compared to hot brew. An experimented look at well-known cold brew products suggest that both hot coffee and cold coffee can go berserk while settling for the amount of caffeine in a fixed volume of coffee. Thus, you’re ought to moderate your caffeine intake duly. Consider that cold brew coffee contains as much caffeine as black coffee per ounce and be your own facilitator.

Whether traveling or camping, cold brew is always a savior when hot brew isn’t available to avail. Hopefully with the aforementioned instructions, you’ll enjoy cold brew in full swing. Caffeinate in style!