Caffeine Content
Starbucks Cold Brew Coffee is made from a concentrate blend of 100% arabica beans, steeped cold for several hours to extract a smooth flavor and naturally sweet finish. This cold-brewed coffee packs more caffeine than traditional Starbucks iced coffees: previous styles, such as Nitro Cold Brew and Cold Brew with Salted Cream Cold Foam, featured 110 mg of caffeine in a Tall, while the new Cold Brew with Vanilla Sweet Cream contains a whopping 130 mg per Tall.
Preparation Processology
The brewing process of Starbucks Cold Brew Coffee has some key differences from their traditional hot-brewed beans. First, the beans are coarsely ground to match the size of pebbles. This allows for a slower, gentler extraction process as compared to the heat-driven extraction of traditional brewing. Cold water is poured over the grounds and steeped for anywhere from 12 to 24 hours to extract a unique flavor that’s distinct from the core of a hot-brewed cup.
Taste Possibilities and Varieties
The concentrate, once brewed, can be served straight or combined with other ingredients to create a range of flavor possibilities. To give consumers even more choice, Starbucks recently launched two new cold brew styles. The Nitro Cold Brew and Cold Brew with Salted Cream Cold Foam both feature a creamy, rich taste, while the Cold Brew with Vanilla Sweet Cream, as previously mentioned, adds a hint of sweet vanilla.
Shelf-Life and Storage
The brewed Starbucks Cold Brew Coffee concentrate has a shelf-life of up to fourteen days in the refrigerator. To maximize its shelf-life and potency, it should be stored in an airtight container, away from light and heat sources. After the product is opened, it should be tightly sealed in the same airtight container and consumed within seven days.
Health Properties of Cold Brew
A 2017 study, published in the Scientific World Journal, investigated the levels of antioxidants found in a range of black and green teas, coffees and infusions. The results of the study showed that cold brew coffee contained the highest levels of antioxidants compared to hot-brewed coffee. These antioxidants help fight cell damage and some studies have even shown that coffee consumption can reduce the risk of serious illnesses, such as heart disease and cancer.
Acclaimed Benefits of Cold Brew Consumption
As coffee connoisseurs have discovered in recent years, cold-brewed coffee has many different properties and benefits that appeal to a range of drinkers. For example, cold brew reaction time to hot beverages is quicker, meaning that it can be enjoyed as soon as it is made. Additionally, it generally contains fewer acidity levels, making it easier on the stomach and more beneficial for digestion. Finally, its extended extraction time adds to its flavor complexity, giving it a more flavorful, robust taste than its hot-brewed counterparts.
Environmental Impact of Cold Brew
Cold Brew Coffee has the potential to provide some environmental advantages too. By choosing a cold-brewed option, you are reducing the emissions associated with the method of heating water to brew coffee. If done in large quantities, this could also make a big difference in global emissions levels. Additionally, cold-brewed coffee has a significantly lower acidity load than hot-brewed coffee, which means it has less of an impact on its surrounding environs when disposed of.
The Home Brewing Option
In recent years, with the popularization of cold brew coffee, home brewing has become an increasingly popular option. With simple recipes and preparation methods available online, more and more consumers are experimenting with brewing at home. This has been made easier with readily available cold-brew kits that contain all the necessary ingredients, such as a cold-brew bag, filter and airtight container.
Brewing Time and Experimentation
When it comes to perfecting the flavor of at-home cold-brewed coffee, the two most important factors to consider are the brewing time and experimentation. The best way to experiment is to start by steeping the coffee grounds for 12 hours and adjust from there to adjust the taste. The longer the grounds are left to steep, the more intense the flavor will be. Additionally, the ratio of coffee grounds to cold water should be considered when experimenting. Generally, a good starting point is 1 cup of coffee to 4 cups of cold water.
Safety and Reheating
When it comes to reheating your cold brew coffee, it’s important to do it safely. While it’s not recommended to microwave your brewed concentrate, it is possible to heat it up on the stove. However, it’s important to ensure that you keep the heat low enough so that you don’t burn or over-extract the coffee, as this will affect the flavor. Additionally, you should always ensure that your concentrate has been stored in an airtight container, away from light and heat sources, so that it is safe to drink.
Brew Ratios and Flavors
When it comes to brewing cold-brewed coffee, it’s essential to understand the different brew ratios in order to get the flavor you’re aiming for. Generally, when working with an 8 to 1 ratio, the cold brew concentrate will be light and balanced. If you want something bolder, then a 4 to 1 ratio is ideal. Experimenting with different flavors is also a great way to customize your cold brew, such as using different types of sweeteners and milks.
Conclusion
At the end of the day, it’s all about personal preference. Whether you enjoy your cold-brewed coffee hot or cold, sweetened or black, the possibilities are endless. It’s up to you to experiment and find the right combination of brew ratio and flavors that best suit your tastes. With Starbucks Cold Brew Coffee, you’re guaranteed to make something delicious every time.
