In case you wonder “What is Cold Drip coffee anyway?” you have come to the right site! This Cold Drip Coffee Wiki is an encyclopedia full of coffee terms. Here we answer (almost) all your questions regarding cold brewed coffee:
- What is cold drip coffee?
- Cold drip basics: coffee preparation, types of coffee, caffeine in coffee, grinding degree, roasting, countries of origin, water
- Preparation: instructions, DIY, shelf life
- Equipment: cold dripper, filter, coffee pot, water tank, coffee grinder, cold brew coffee equipment
- What is cold brew coffee?
- Cold Drip vs. Cold Brew
Below you will find a more detailed definition of the term “cold drip coffee” as well as related topics and definitions in our Cold Drip Coffee Wiki:
Content
- Definition and Terminology
- Basics
- Taste, Flavor, Health
- Preparation and Shelf Life
- Equipment
- What is Cold Brew Coffee?
- Cold Drip vs. Cold Brew
- Origin
Definition and Terminology
What is cold drip coffee? Cold drip coffee basically is coffee brewed with cold water. It is a variant from the well known cold brew coffee. What makes cold drip so special is, on the one hand, that it is a coffee extract. On the other hand, cold drip coffee is manufactured in a unique process. Cold drip coffee has many names and is also called “Cold Brew Drip Coffee”, “Ice Drip Cold Brew” or “Dutch Coffee”. The name says it all, because this special form of cold brew coffee is made by dripping cold water onto ground coffee beans. Frequently, ice cubes are added to the brewing water. This also explains its alternative name “Ice Drip Cold Brew”.
As mentioned above, cold drip coffee, like all variations of cold brew coffee, is not infused with hot water but with cold water. However, the term “brewing” has nothing to do with the water temperature. Instead, it describes the process during which ground coffee comes into contact with water.
Basics
Below you will find a list of important facts and background information that are important for the preparation of cold drip coffee:
- types of coffee
- caffeine
- grinding degree
- roasting
- countries of origin
- water
Taste, Flavor, Health
Cold dripping is a very gentle way to prepare your coffee. As a result, this method extracts the aromas and oils from the coffee and creates a new taste experience. The deliberate avoidance of heat highlights the coffee’s sweet and fruity aromas. Besides, it gives the cold drip its natural sweetness.
Unwanted bitter substances that are usually caused by brewing coffee with hot water are, thus, eliminated. The result is a very aromatic, concentrated coffee. Cold drip coffee concentrate has a complex and intense taste. You can either enjoy it on its own, dilute it with water before drinking it or mix it with other liquids. Here are some recipes for cold drip coffee drinks and cocktails. Cold drip is a particularly refreshing summer drink. Hot coffee cannot keep up with that.
In addition, the refreshing beverage is healthy, as well: the slow preparation dissolves nutrients and valuable coffee oils from the coffee beans that are otherwise partially or completely destroyed by hot water. In addition, there are no undesirable substances that would otherwise be released by the heat of conventional coffee production.
Preparation and Shelf Life
To prepare coffee by the cold drip method, ice-cold water drips through a valve onto coarsely ground coffee grounds. Then, the resulting liquid is filtered and collected in a container. The dripping process extracts flavors and caffeine, allowing many different kinds of aromas to unfold.
When it comes to coffee preparation, the cold drip procedure is one of the most complex brewing methods. Generally speaking, you need a special device for this called a cold dripper. With detailed instructions and the appropriate accessories you can easily prepare your own cold drip coffee at home.
Unlike conventional coffee, cold drip coffee has a much longer shelf life – even longer than you might think. The maximum shelf life of cold drip coffee is three weeks if you brew it yourself. Professionally manufactured and bottled cold drip can even last over 6 months.
Equipment
Since cold drip coffee is produced following a very special method, you will need the appropriate cold drip coffee equipment:
- cold dripper
- water tank
- coffee filter
- coffee pot or coffee container
- coffee grinder
What is Cold Brew Coffee?
Cold Brew coffee is a generic term. In general, it refers to any coffee that is brewed with cold water instead of the customary hot water. A cold coffee extract, if you like. Only then do the various methods of preparation of cold brew differ from each other. The cold drip method and the immersion brew are the most popular among coffee lovers. With all cold brew procedures, time replaces the heat of the water. When you “cold brew” coffee, your coffee increases in aroma (and caffeine). In addition, it has hardly any bitter substances and acids. So by drinking cold brew coffee you enjoy an aromatically balanced coffee speciality that is low in acid.
Cold Drip vs. Cold Brew
There is a difference between Cold Drip and Cold Brew: in the cold brew process, the coarsely ground coffee powder is put in the same container as the water and remains there. Over a period of 12 to 24 hours, the water gradually removes the flavors and caffeine from the coffee powder. Meanwhile, during the cold drip process, the water gradually drips from a valve above onto the ground coffee and, then, flows downwards into a container.
Origin
Even if you may never have heard of cold brew coffee before, it is not a brand-new invention. Actually, it is said that Dutch traders invented the cold drip method as early as the 17th century. During their travels throughout Asia they often lacked the opportunity to brew their coffee with hot water on a daily basis. This is the reason why cold brewed coffee manufactured by the cold drip process up until this day is still called “Dutch Coffee” from time to time. The traders were able to pre-produce their coffee in large quantities and carry it with them throughout their travels.
This is how the cold drip method got to Japan. There, the Japanese adapted the art of brewing cold dripped coffee and refined it to perfection throughout the course of the centuries. From Japan the sleek cold drip towers came to the US and later to Europe where the caffeinated gold soon started to be increasingly popular. And since then the delicious cold drip coffee is, literally, on everybody’s lips.