Cold brewed coffee and cold drip coffee is receiving quite a bit of interest at the moment as coffee connoisseurs search for new and interesting ways to enjoy their favourite beverage.

Cold brewed coffee

Cold brewed coffee is produced by immersing coffee grounds in cold water and letting it seep for 12-18 hours. This simple and classic brewing system brings out coffee’s flavour and aroma by slowly allowing the coffee oils to infuse with cold water over an extended brewing time. Brewing your coffee with cold water preserves delicate flavour compounds, while eliminating the bitter oils and acids that would be extracted at higher temperatures. Once the grounds have steeped overnight, the fine-meshed filter is removed and the remaining liquid can be kept refrigerated for up to a week. This lovely smooth coffee can then be enjoyed over ice or ice cream, for a wonderful cool and refreshing alternative during the summer months.

Both the Hario Cold Brew Pot and the Toddy Cold Brew System are available from Witham’s Coffee, and both are very inexpensive items that would be perfect gift ideas.

Cold drip coffee

Cold drip coffee is produced by cold water slowly dripping through finely ground beans. The cold water produces coffee low in acidity, bitterness and astringency while extracting the best aroma. Brewing your coffee with cold water preserves delicate flavor compounds, while eliminating the bitter oils and acids that would be extracted at higher temperatures. A precision metal valve controls the drip, ensuring perfect drop-by-drop percolation. Coffee flows through the stainless-steel filter into the heat-treated glass pot below, resulting in a pure, richly flavoured brew.

An example of a cold drip apparatus is the Hario Water Dripper.