Although the good old Americano is perfect for waking you up every morning, scorching summers call for a tall glass of refreshing iced coffee! First brewed in 2012, nitro brew coffee is slowly but steadily becoming the talk of the town among coffee enthusiasts. From being known as draft coffee to nitro cold coffee – the beverage was concocted to increase efficiency and meet the growing demand for iced coffee among customers.
Interestingly, some nitro beers are even brewed with strong coffee flavors. As such, it is no rocket science that the frothy texture and creamy taste of nitro beers work with cold coffee as well.
As a result, popular coffee chains and restaurants like Starbucks and Dunkin Donuts have ditched the slow-drip coffee-brewing process, and your local coffee shop might be next. But what is nitro coffee? Well, as the name suggests, it is basically cold brew coffee infused with nitrogen. Sounds insane? Then read on to know the nitty-gritty of the coolest coffee trend!
What Is Nitro Coffee?
Adding gasses to cold beverages is not a new concept. If nitrogen in coffee sounds strange, think about carbonated drinks like Coca-Cola! In fact, nitrogen is already a common ingredient in beers, which are then termed “nitrogenated.” Interestingly, some nitro beers are even brewed with strong coffee flavors. As such, it is no rocket science that the frothy texture and creamy taste of nitro beers work with cold coffee as well.
Nitro Cold Brew Equipment
Infused with nitrogen gas, nitro coffee is only available “on-tap” through a pressurized valve. Nitro cold brew is stored in a dedicated keg system, keeping the coffee at high pressure. And this pressure is what makes the coffee creamy and frothy; the texture is reminiscent of Guinness beer. While most coffee shops prefer to serve nitro cold brew straight from the tap for better efficiency, some places are opting for cans. The latter makes it easier for customers to sip their coffee on the go, adding to their convenience.
What Does Nitro Coffee Taste Like?
Nitrogenated coffee is smooth and silky to taste, though the sweetness and milkiness can be tweaked by adding other ingredients. Typically, it offers a silky, melt-in-the-mouth feel, which is exactly why its popularity is growing exponentially in the specialty coffee world. Notably, nitrogen gas does not dissolve in the coffee as carbon dioxide does.
Hence, the nitrogen bubbles are much smaller, thereby lending that smooth yet frothy texture. Moreover, nitrogen does not change the taste of the coffee. So, you could drink nitro cold brew in its original form, i.e., black, or add some ice, milk, sweetener of choice, etc. Interestingly, some coffee shops that serve alcohol even use nitro coffee in cocktails or whip up a nitro float with a scoop of ice cream! In fact, Josh Kim, owner of Mighty Brew Bros in Manhattan, claims that, compared to other types of coffee, nitrogen-infused cold brew is more compatible with various flavors.
What Does Nitro Coffee Look Like?
As we have already mentioned before, nitrogenated coffee is frothy and creamy. So, you can imagine the nitro faucet producing a coffee cascade on the cup. This visual appeal is mainly what draws customers into trying nitro coffee, and the smooth taste makes them stay. To be precise, the cloud-like formation of nitro cold brew, also seen in nitro beers, is caused by nitrogen bubbles. Because they are so tiny, the bubbles are easily pushed around the mug, creating a careening cloud of coffee!
How To Drink Nitro Coffee?
Let’s get one thing clear – nitro cold brew does not contain ice. It is chilled in the nitro cold brew keg, so the final product stays “iced” without sacrificing the visually appealing foamy texture – the hallmark of the drink! Hence, we recommend drinking nitro coffee as is, without adding ingredients that may disturb the froth on top. As such, it is an ideal pick for black coffee lovers.
Nitrogenated coffee is smooth and silky to taste, though the sweetness and milkiness can be tweaked by adding other ingredients.
Also, note that since nitro cold coffee is brewed through a slow steeping process, without additives, the flavor of the coffee beans is more intense than your regular iced coffee. Consequently, it contains fewer calories, making it a healthier alternative to traditional coffee. However, many coffee shops offer sweeter, milkier versions of the drink, wherein the additional ingredients are already added to the nitro cold brew kegs.
How Is Nitro Coffee Healthier Than Regular Coffee?
1. No Sugar
Apart from restaurants and offices, many high-end gyms are offering nitro cold brew on tap! This is because of the wonder ingredient, nitrogen, which adds creaminess and sweetness to the coffee. While it may not be sugary sweet, the nitro coffee foam hits just the spot, making your taste buds perceive it as a sweet beverage.
2. High Caffeine Content
Moreover, nitro coffee contains less water than your typical brewed coffee, making it more caffeinated. This makes the nitrogenated beverage a better drink before an intense gym sesh or even an all-nighter to catch up with assignments. So, if you want to cut sugar but loathe the bitterness of black coffee, nitro cold brew might just be your dream come true!
3. Low-Acid Coffee Alternative
If drinking coffee makes you feel bloated, nitrogen coffee is your best bet. Although the main ingredient, i.e., the beans, causes the final product to be highly acidic, nitro cold brew solves the problem with its brewing style. Since the coffee grinds are brewed at lower temperatures, the higher doses of acidity that get into the drink while pouring hot water lose the opportunity to do so.
While coffee shops and restaurants are opting for a nitro cold brew to increase efficiency, it’s high time you get onto the bandwagon, too, for a healthier lifestyle
As a result, you get a low-acid, delicious cup of coffee that won’t cause any discomfort in the form of indigestion or acid reflux.
Nitro Coffee On Tap From A Keg Rocks
While coffee shops and restaurants are opting for a nitro cold brew to increase efficiency, it’s high time you get onto the bandwagon, too, for a healthier lifestyle. After all, what’s a better way to start your day than a freshly brewed mug of coffee with no calories, more caffeine, and lower acid content? To get started, we recommend checking out KegForce, which delivers a large selection of artisanal coffee blends and beverages in kegs for both residential and commercial use. So, get with the times and taste the latest beverage trend with a punch of caffeine!
