During your last morning coffee shop run, you may have noticed a new item on the drink menu: nitro cold brew. Throwing iced coffee, cold brew, and nitro cold brew in the same box is a big no-no!
PSA: Not all iced coffee is created equal!
We don’t blame you. Not even the most dedicated coffee drinkers may know the difference between cold brew and nitro cold brew. With cold coffee options becoming more and more accessible, you may want to know what makes them unique.
Keep reading for the ultimate breakdown of your beloved cold brew and nitro cold brew!
What is Cold Brew?
Cold brew goes way, way back. A century-old recipe has now become one of the trendiest drinks to pass through hip coffee shops and grocery store isles. Let’s get to know cold brew’s roots!
Cold brew was first popular with Japanese drinkers in the 17th century after Dutch trading ships introduced it to the country. Cold brew was an attractive alternative since it did not require fire, making it a safer way to brew.
Now, cold brew is a staple coffee order in the US, especially on a hot summer day. It is made by steeping coarse, ground coffee in room temperature water for at least 24 hours. After the magic happens, you’re left with a delicious, rich concentrate!
This potent concentrate is usually diluted about 50% with water and served chilled. The cold brew ratio can range from 1:3 to 1:8 coffee to water, depending on how bold a brew you need.
Since it is steeped over a long time without hot water, cold brew is less acidic than hot coffee, providing a less bitter and harsh sip. Cold brew is a smoother and even sweeter option than your usual hot cup of joe, pairing almost decadently with creamer and milk.
The Cold Brew Process
High Brew is inspired to be the best-tasting cold brew on the market. Our simple process yields more antioxidants, more caffeine, and less acid. How do we do it?
High Brew uses 100% Direct Trade beans from Colombia, roasting them to enhance their natural flavor. We coarsely grind our beans. The coarser coffee grounds make for a cleaner brew. Then, we allow them to soak for hours. Using time instead of heat to extract flavor, our coffee is extra smooth, sweet, and still bold. Ever hear of the saying good things take time?
Built for a stronger buzz -- our cold brew caffeine content is twice the amount of regular hot coffee! The caffeine content is water-soluble, meaning a higher percentage is extracted during the lengthy brew.
The rest is easy! We filter out the grounds, leaving a beautiful cold brew to customize with our flavor formulas. High Brew created a vast selection of quality cold brew to please everyone, from adventurists to trend-setters.
If you’re a purist, keep it simple with our uncomplicated Black & Bold Cold Brew for a smoother, less acidic taste. If you want a little more from your morning coffee, try our Creamy Cappuccino + Protein. Packing 12 grams of protein and 3 grams of fiber, you can have it all.
What is Nitro Cold Brew?
Imagine the smooth taste of coffee with the bubbly foamy goodness of beer. Meet nitro cold brew coffee. A newcomer to the coffee game that has recently exploded. Here’s what you need to know:
Nitro cold -brew is basically cold brew coffee charged with nitrogen - a colorless, odorless gas. This combination yields a foamy, fluffy version of your cold brew, almost resembling a stout beer. Coffee geeks (like ourselves) call the gradation-in-motion a “cascade."
Bringing your smooth taste and boosted caffeine in ultra-creamy delight. The velvety and thick nature of nitro cold brew may help you slow down your drinking pace and enjoy each sip!
You can usually find nitro cold brew on tap at your local coffee joint or stock up at home with High Brew’s canned Nitro Cold Brew.
Pro-tip: Beware of the ice cubes. Nitro cold brew should be served without ice as this will disrupt the beautiful flow of foam. We also recommend ditching the straw when it comes to sipping on a nitro cold brew so you can get the whole experience (watch out for the foam mustache).
This may change the way you think about black coffee. The nitrogen provides a unique texture while also enhancing the brew’s flavor, giving it an even smoother taste.
Canned Nitro Cold Brew
We elevated our cold brew, making a sugar-free, dairy-free Nitro Cold Brew. Every can contains a widget to release tiny nitrogen bubbles when you crack it open—releasing a fresh dose of creaminess and sweetness along with 200mg of natural caffeine.
How to use High Brew Cold Brew? Tilt our can sideways once and then pull the tab to activate the nitrogen widget and release tiny fresh bubbles for a creamy smooth taste! If you are on your Saturday morning hike, drink it straight from the can. If you’re at home, try pouring it in a cold glass. Not a straight black coffee type of person? Just add your milk of choice for a relaxing coffee break.
Past the Morning Ritual
Like all coffee lovers, we love the morning ritual of bold, smooth coffee to start the day. High Brew is inspired to enhance your morning and the rest of your day with innovative and creative coffee, giving you more than just an energy boost but a moment of mindfulness to fuel your day!
High Brew is inspired to reinvent your energy, embracing the go-getters, trend-setters, and the do-ers to take on each day to pursue their passion, even in the smallest of ways.
