Nitro coffee, or nitrogen-infused coffee, is one of the recent innovations in the realm of beverage preparation that has gained significant popularity in recent years. The key feature of nitro coffee is the preparation of a regular cold brew in its creamiest possible form.
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What is Nitro Coffee?
Nitro coffee is a short name given by coffee enthusiasts to coffee infused with nitrogen. And that’s exactly what the name suggests. Nitrogen is pumped into the coffee, creating a unique, distinctive, and utterly delicious cold brew.
More precisely, it should be called nitro cold brew or cold brew nitro coffee. To make cold brew, you start with cold coffee. Hot coffee just won’t cut it. In fact, cold brews differ significantly from hot brewed beverages, and they should not be confused with iced coffee (hot brewed coffee poured over ice). Cold brewing involves steeping coffee grounds in cold water, a process that takes at least 12 hours to achieve properly.
If we were to have a simple definition of nitro coffee, it would be coffee to which nitrogen, a colorless and odorless gas, is added. The result is called nitro coffee or nitrogen-infused coffee, and it is mostly similar to the process used to carbonate water or soda.
The bubbles created by nitrogen are very, very small and, when drinking the coffee, they give a sensation of creaminess and frothiness.
Nitro Coffee Beverage
Nitro coffee is nothing more than a cold beverage infused with nitrogen. All you need to do is prepare a cold brew, which is then mixed with nitrogen in the serving process. What comes out is akin to a dark Guinness with a creamy head, but it’s nitro coffee.
This creamy texture ensures a very smooth drinking experience and imparts a slightly sparkling and sweet coffee experience. Nitro coffee undergoes a delightful transformation as it cools, making it a refreshing and aromatic choice, especially in the summertime. That’s why many cafes offer nitro coffee or nitro-infused beverages, as it can serve as the base for a variety of drink recipes, much like cold brew.
Can you make nitro coffee at home yourself?
What seems quite straightforward in a club, cafe, or restaurant is, theoretically, quite risky. At the very least, we do not recommend anyone attempt to prepare nitro at home without prior knowledge of nitrogen and cold brew coffee. The risk of excessive foam production is almost inevitable. Replicating the flavor without a complex setup is likely challenging.
However, if you’re interested in molecular gastronomy and use various artificial chemicals in your kitchen, you can use nitrogen for nitro infusion as well. We recommend using finely ground coffee to ensure a robust and aromatic nitro coffee.
Cold brews are much less acidic and significantly smoother than their hot counterparts.
To prepare nitro coffee, cold brew coffee is infused with nitrogen bubbles (N2). This process requires specialized equipment, not dissimilar to those used for pumping beer or carbonated beverages.
Nitrogen adds a new level of thickness to cold brewing, resulting in a deliciously creamy and smooth coffee often described as the Guinness of coffee brewing. Nitro coffees are very creamy, eliminating the need to add milk. Currently, we simply enjoy it as is.
Is pumping nitrogen into coffee safe?
But is pumping nitrogen into coffee safe? Yes. In fact, we regularly pump various gases into beverages.
It should be noted that there is currently no evidence indicating any harm to health from nitrogen-infused coffee. However, as nitro coffee is a relatively new and innovative option, ongoing studies and research continue.
Liquid nitrogen is required for this process, and while it can be hazardous if not handled properly, injecting nitrogen into cold brew coffee is completely safe. It is done using pressurized nozzles, much like the method Coca-Cola uses to inject carbon dioxide.
This process is unique to nitro coffee, and it’s one of the reasons why nitro coffee has quickly gained popularity. In cafes, pouring a nitro coffee is a visually appealing (if not a bit messy) process to watch (akin to watching beer being poured instead of coffee!).
Is nitro coffee stronger than regular coffee?
Does adding nitrogen to caffeine have an impact? To prepare nitro coffee, you need more ground coffee; approximately 120 grams more compared to making two espresso shots to yield a cup of nitro coffee. Nitro coffee, using the cold brew method for preparation, requires a longer extraction time, resulting in more caffeine being extracted from the coffee.
What are the benefits of nitro coffee?
Certainly, preparing this coffee is much more challenging compared to a regular hot cup of coffee (though it’s time-consuming!). Pouring hot water over coffee is not as simple, for sure!
However, drinking nitro cold brew alongside regular coffee has many advantages, especially if you have mastered the art of home nitro brewing. To begin with, it offers a unique flavor. It’s not your average cup of coffee, and you’ll love the creamy and smooth nitro infusion, especially if you’re not a fan of bitter cold brews.
The reduced acidity is also appreciated, especially if you are prone to stomach upset, indigestion, or acid reflux. The natural creaminess of nitro means you can enjoy it as a dairy-free beverage. If you are plant-based or sensitive to dairy, you can order this coffee without hesitation.
Nitro Coffee: A Cold Brew Like Guinness
Does nitro coffee taste like beer? Surprisingly, that’s exactly what happens due to the way Nitro Brew is poured. Instead of a hot beverage, a barista draws bubbly and cool coffee with a foamy crown of watered-down milk for nitro coffee. This is made possible by adding nitrogen to the pre-prepared cold brew. Coffee grounds are mixed with cold water for up to 24 hours, slowly releasing their flavors. Cold brew, especially aromatic, is often used as a base for trendy beverages.
Adding nitrogen then transforms cold brew coffee into something akin to coffee-flavored lemonade. What’s interesting here is that its taste and aroma are retained to the extent that nitro cold brew is suitable for those who enjoy our single-origin specialties due to their excellent fragrance.
What does nitro coffee taste like?
Its taste depends on the coffee grounds used to make the powder. If Arabica coffee grounds are used, it has less bitterness and more aroma. However, if Robusta coffee is used, it becomes more bitter. Nevertheless, since it is cold brewed, its bitterness is less than that of hot coffees. Due to the fine nitrogen bubbles, it has a sweet taste, and usually, no sweetener is needed.
However, if you prefer it to be sweeter, adding a bit of cold milk is not a problem. Additionally, adding ice cubes to nitro coffee gives it a more attractive appearance and cools it down.
Conclusion
Nitro coffee has been a trend in the United States for several years. In 2018, the first Nitro Coffee innovations were introduced in Europe. The distinctive feature of nitro is not only its cold smoothness but, most importantly, its cascading effect when poured.
