Why Is Cold Brew Coffee So Hot?

What is Cold Brew Coffee?

Cold Brew Coffee has enjoyed a meteoric rise in popularity over the last couple of years but it is by no means a new drink. Believe it or not, the first record of a cold brew coffee is from 17th century Japan where Dutch sailors were using the cold brew method to enjoy coffee without having to risk a fire on their ships. 

In the 1800s, French soldiers were given a coffee syrup mixed with cold water which they tended to prefer because of the desert heat. These same soldiers took the drink back to Paris with them at the end of the war where the concept of a Cold Coffee began to take hold, paving the way for the modern frappe (we know, not a Cold Brew drink, but still interesting!).

Coffee is Cold Brewed by steeping the coffee grounds in cold or room temperature water for a minimum of 24 hours and then poured over milk, ice or just diluted with water.

A reason why Cold Brew coffee is so popular the difference in flavour and mouth feel. It's a smoother, sweeter and less acidic drink and tends to have a lot more caffeine. With life going as fast as it does nowadays, that extra pick-me-up is always welcome.

But how can we talk about Cold Brew Coffee without mentioning Nitro Brewed? Very quickly, Nitro Brewed coffee is basically Cold Brewed coffee that's been infused with nitrogen and is stored in kegs. It is served on draft and the bubbles from the nitrogen create a foamy layer on top and provide a creamier texture to the drink.

And Why is it Popular? 

So here's the real reason that cold coffee variants are becoming more popular. Us. That's an insultingly simplistic answer, so let's explore it a little. 

Over the last decade, the coffee drinking public's age has shifted towards millennials who are just more likely to have their coffee cold than the older generations. The reason for this is that, to us, coffee is so much more than just a drink. It's a lifestyle, a passion, an experience.  Because of the deeper connection we have to coffee and coffee culture, we're more likely to explore and try new kinds of coffee drinks meaning that, when something new comes along or an old brewing method resurfaces, we're on the front lines ready to try it.

There are also two more key factors at work here. The first is convenience. It's just quicker and easier to grab a cold coffee and get on with your day. The second is that Cold Brew Coffee is better for the environment; by not needed to heat the water for a hot brew, we're taking baby steps to helping save the planet.

So next time you're thinking of trying something new, you might want to consider a Cold Brew.