Cold brew coffee has a special way of making coffee that is soaked in cold water for a long time, usually 12-24 hours for the essence of the coffee to be released. If done correctly and refrigerated for enough time, the coffee after brewing will definitely taste different from the hot brewed coffee you often drink. The cold brew is a smooth and less acidic concentrate that can be diluted with water or milk before drinking.
What is Cold Brew Coffee?
Origin of Cold Brew Coffee
The origin of this coffee is currently unknown, but it is believed to have originated in Japan in the 17th century.
It became popular in the United States in the 1960s and 1970s, especially in New Orleans, where it was used to make a traditional coffee drink called “cold brewed coffee”. In the 2000s, this kind of coffee started gaining popularity in the specialty coffee industry and has since gone mainstream in the United States and other countries around the world.
How to Make Cold Brew Coffee at Home?
- Coarsely grind your favorite coffee beans.
- Mix the ground coffee with cold water in a pitcher. Use a ratio of 1:4 for coffee to water.
- Cover the pitcher and let it sit in the refrigerator for 12-24 hours.
- After steeping, strain the coffee concentrate through a fine-mesh sieve or cheesecloth.
- Dilute the concentrate with water or milk to your desired strength.
- Serve over ice and enjoy!
Cold Brew Coffee Benefits
Antioxidants
Coffee has long been known to contain many antioxidants that help the body ward off the harmful effects of free radicals, reducing the risk of cancer. An interesting fact, however, is that cold brew contains more antioxidants than hot brew, as cold water extraction can preserve more antioxidant compounds.
Reduced risk of type 2 diabetes
Type 2 diabetes is a chronic condition in which your blood sugar is too high. If left untreated, it can lead to many serious health complications.
Many studies have shown that drinking cold brew regularly in moderation reduces the risk of type 2 diabetes because coffee contains compounds that can help improve insulin sensitivity and metabolism. glucose metabolism.
It can also regulate peptides in the gut, which are hormones in your digestive system that help control and slow digestion, keeping your blood sugar stable
Reduced risk of Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s disease
Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s diseases are neurodegenerative conditions, which means they are caused by brain cell death that occurs over time. Both diseases can lead to dementia, a decline in mental health that makes daily activities difficult.
Drinking a consistent dose of cold brew regularly may reduce the risk of Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s disease because caffeine and other compounds in coffee have neuroprotective effects. In addition to boosting your attention and mood, cold brew coffee can benefit your brain in other ways.
Lower risk of cardiovascular disease
Cardiovascular disease is one of the deadliest diseases in the world because of the number one mortality rate in the world. Some symptoms of heart disease include a heart attack, heart palpitations, or even a stroke.
The cold brew contains compounds that reduce the risk of heart disease, including caffeine, phenolic compounds, magnesium, and more. These substances increase insulin sensitivity, stabilize blood sugar levels, and lower blood pressure.
Cold Brew Coffee Recipe Variations
Add flavors
You can add flavors such as vanilla, cinnamon, or chocolate to the coffee grounds before steeping.
Use different beans
Experiment with different types of coffee beans to find your favorite flavor profile.
Change the ratio
Adjust the coffee-to-water ratio to make the concentrate stronger or weaker.
Some cold brew coffee products are being sold at VINUT: