One of the most popular drinks around the globe incorporates a nutrient-rich superfood that has the power to eliminate excess free radicals from the body, while supplying it with energy: coffee.
You (like most people) probably don’t think of coffee as a medicine. However, according to WebMD it has been used medicinally for years to prevent “Parkinson’s Disease, gallstones, type 2 diabetes, gastrointestinal cancer, lung cancer, and breast cancer.” The jury is still out, though, when it comes to science and whether coffee actually does prevent these ailments.
Now there’s a hot new trend that both foodies and coffee lovers are flipping for: cold-brew coffee.
How Is Cold Brew Coffee Made?
First, you have to choose a high-quality coffee. Dark roast is the most beneficial to the body because it has the lowest acidity and produces amazing flavor.
Second, you add room temperature, filtered water to coarse-ground coffee and let it steep between 12 and 24 hours.
Finally, run the mixture through a filter to separate the liquid from the grounds.
America’s Test Kitchen recommends using 4 cups of water to 1 cup of ground coffee.
What Are the Health Benefits of Cold Brew Coffee?
According to dietician Anne Buzzelli, cold brew coffee makes best use of the bean. When you avoid heating coffee beans, you reduce the chance of damaging the precious oils that make coffee powerful.
They can be “boiled away, made rancid or morphed by a chemical reaction,” she explains.
Another advantage of cold brewed coffee is that it’s lower in acid. This reduces the chance for heartburn and other imbalances. In fact, a study found that cold brew coffee is 67 percent less acidic than traditional hot brew.
Buzzelli further explains that “coffee’s chlorogenic acid converts to quinic acid as it cools. Quinic acid is much more acidic and astringent and can cause damage to the teeth and stomach lining.”
However, Buzzelli says it’s important to remember that cold brew is quite concentrated. You’ll need to dilute it with water — to your preference.
Cold brew coffee can be stored for up to two weeks, which also makes it quite cost-effective.