What is the difference between cold brew coffee and cold espresso?
I wanted to ask what is cold brew coffee and why that is different to just brewing coffee and then putting it in the fridge for ice coffee? I have seen cold brew being sold as a separate thing.
That's a great question about cold brew and how cold brew is different to brewing an espresso and putting a long black coffee in the fridge to chill. Its the difference of allowing espresso coffee to become cold, vs coffee brewed specifically for cold. The main difference is the brewing process, as you already no doubt guessed. Espresso preparation is actually quite harsh when you think about it, your taking coffee beans, grinding them fairly fine and then forcing 1.5 atmospheres of pressurised water, at 92 degrees to extract the coffee and coffee oils from the ground coffee. Its a great way to make a delicious coffee in around 30 seconds, but brings with it its own flavours.
By comparison, cold brewed coffee is very gentle. The coffee grounds are ground more coarsely compared to espresso machines, also there is no water pressure involved and the brew is performed over a 24 hour period with cold water. What is absolutely amazing is the flavour difference. Cold brewed coffee will bring out completely different flavours compared to espresso. The flavour is much more delicate, smooth to drink and almost tastes tea like. Its very hard to describe and I can guarantee you will be amazed at the transformation.
The best news is no specialist equipment is required to give it a go. Simply grind 80 grams of coffee for a litre of water (or 40 grams for 500ml). The grind size is quite coarse, more like cracked pepper consistency. Add your coffee grounds to a suitable jug, add the required amount of water, stir and then cover your container and pop it in the fridge overnight. When you're ready to enjoy your coldbrew coffee, simply pour the coffee into a glass and enjoy. Be gentle in the pour so as to not stir up the grinds that have settled and you wont need to filter the coffee.
Pour into a glass over ice, add milk if you'd like and enjoy!
That's a great question about cold brew and how cold brew is different to brewing an espresso and putting a long black coffee in the fridge to chill. Its the difference of allowing espresso coffee to become cold, vs coffee brewed specifically for cold. The main difference is the brewing process, as you already no doubt guessed. Espresso preparation is actually quite harsh when you think about it, your taking coffee beans, grinding them fairly fine and then forcing 1.5 atmospheres of pressurised water, at 92 degrees to extract the coffee and coffee oils from the ground coffee. Its a great way to make a delicious coffee in around 30 seconds, but brings with it its own flavours.
By comparison, cold brewed coffee is very gentle. The coffee grounds are ground more coarsely compared to espresso machines, also there is no water pressure involved and the brew is performed over a 24 hour period with cold water. What is absolutely amazing is the flavour difference. Cold brewed coffee will bring out completely different flavours compared to espresso. The flavour is much more delicate, smooth to drink and almost tastes tea like. Its very hard to describe and I can guarantee you will be amazed at the transformation.
The best news is no specialist equipment is required to give it a go. Simply grind 80 grams of coffee for a litre of water (or 40 grams for 500ml). The grind size is quite coarse, more like cracked pepper consistency. Add your coffee grounds to a suitable jug, add the required amount of water, stir and then cover your container and pop it in the fridge overnight. When you're ready to enjoy your coldbrew coffee, simply pour the coffee into a glass and enjoy. Be gentle in the pour so as to not stir up the grinds that have settled and you wont need to filter the coffee.
Pour into a glass over ice, add milk if you'd like and enjoy!
