Cold brew coffee soars in popularity during warm weather

Cold brew coffee, not iced coffee, is surging in popularity. But, is the long, cold brew process worth the taste?

Cold brew coffee is a hot trend. With warmer weather, traditional brewed coffee can be less appealing. Few people want a steaming cup of coffee when it’s 90 degrees. As people discover cold brew, this time consuming brewed beverage is appearing everywhere.

For those who aren’t big coffee drinkers, iced coffee and cold brew are two different types of coffee. While they may look the same to some, the way that the coffee is brewed is completely different. Simply stated, iced coffee is traditional brewed coffee poured over ice. Cold brew is brewed differently.

To create cold brew, course ground coffee beans are steeped in room-temperature water. Although not “cold,” the room temperature water is very different than hot water used in traditional coffee brewing. The coffee grounds steep for six to 20 hours. The resulting liquid is a strong, concentrated coffee. Generally, this cold brew is served over ice, with or without cream.

Cold brew’s increase in popularity is mostly due to taste. Cold brew tends to be less bitter. Sometimes, cooling regularly brewed coffee creates a highly acidic taste. The cold brewing method removes much of the acid, bitter taste.

Lavazza cold brew coffee, photo by Cristine Struble

The newer trend in coffee is appearing all over. From large chains like Starbucks and Dunkin’ Donuts to local coffee shops, cold brew is becoming a favorite summer drink. At this year’s National Restaurant Show (NRA), Lavazza showcased premium cold brew options. Even the well-established Italian coffee roaster understands the importance of integrating this new coffee trend.

This drink trend expanded to the home brewing market too. KitchenAid released its KitchenAid Cold Brew Coffee Maker at the International Home and Housewares Show in March. This coffee maker creates the flavorful coffee in three steps. The machine grinds the beans, brews the coffee and pours the concentrate. The coffee brews for 12-24 hours and creates up to 28 ounces of coffee concentrate. The KitchenAid Cold Brew Coffee Maker retails for $129.99.

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As summer hits its peak temperatures, don’t worry about drinking your morning cup of coffee. Now, even on the hottest days, coffee lovers can enjoy a rich, flavorful coffee to start their day with a cup of cold brew coffee.