Hot coffee and iced coffee have been the go-to drinks for many coffee lovers. However, trends are changing these days, and coffee enthusiasts are more than willing to try out different kinds of caffeinated beverages. 

Due to its name, many people believe that cold brew coffee is simply a type of cold coffee. However, an interesting fact about cold brew coffee is that it is called “cold brew”, but it does not necessarily mean it is a cold coffee. The drink’s name does not reflect its temperature. Instead, cold brew coffee is a kind of coffee made through a unique brewing method that takes place at room temperature.

Depending on your preference, you can make your cold brew coffee either an iced drink or a hot one. Now, if you are also wondering how to make your freshly brewed cold brew last longer, read on as this article shares some of the most important things you should know about the shelf life of cold brew coffee in Singapore. 

How long does cold brew coffee last?

Usually, cold brew coffee can last for at least one to two weeks. This period will largely vary according to the quality of coffee beans you used, your storage methods, and several other factors. For many coffee experts, refrigerating cold brew coffee is the most effective way to preserve and prolong its shelf life to at least a week or two. 

On the other hand, keeping the cold brew at room temperature will turn its flavour sour within just 2 hours. In another couple of hours, you will see mould forming around your coffee. Therefore, refrigeration is the best way to store cold brew coffee. However, aside from using this storage method, you need to consider a few other factors.

Effective Ways To Extend the Shelf Life of Cold Brew Coffee

Many factors directly or indirectly determine the shelf life of your cold brew coffee. To help you make sure your cold brew coffee remains fresh and flavourful for an extended time, here are some practical tips to follow:

1. Use fresh ground coffee beans

The quality of the ground coffee beans you use is an essential factor when making a cold brew or any other type of coffee. Although using pre-ground coffee beans for your cold brew is acceptable, it is not as fresh as when you grind whole coffee beans yourself.

While it does not significantly affect the shelf life of the coffee concentrate, using pre-ground coffee beans makes the flavour of your coffee go bad quicker, even with proper storage. Using older coffee beans that are freshly ground will still even have a better taste compared to when you use pre-ground coffee beans.

2. Leave your coffee undiluted

The coffee concentrate of a cold brew usually results in a very intense and bitter taste. Hence, it is essential to dilute it with water or milk or add cream when you are already about to drink your cold brew. Even when diluted, cold brew retains its flavour better than iced coffee.

However, diluting the whole coffee batch is not recommended if you plan to drink your coffee later, as it will reduce the coffee’s shelf life. A diluted coffee concentrate can only last about 2 to 3 days, whereas an undiluted cold brew coffee can remain good for up to 2 weeks. Therefore, it is advisable that you only dilute your coffee when you are ready to drink.

3. Place your coffee in air-tight containers

Air-tight containers are the ultimate lifesaver for those coffee enthusiasts who want to make their cold brew coffee last longer. Limiting the exposure of your cold brew coffee to direct light and oxygen can slow down its oxidation and deterioration and extend its shelf life a bit further.

Moreover, containers with firmly tight lids are highly recommended because they help prevent loss of nutrients, cross-contamination from other items, and mould development and odours. So, for a longer-lasting cold brew coffee, opt for this type of container instead of the non-sealed or loosely ones.

Conclusion

Extending the shelf life of cold brew coffee requires the consideration of numerous factors, such as the storage method, quality of coffee beans, dilution, and the type of container you use to store the coffee. By following the tips in this article, you can already surely make the freshness and flavour of your cold brew coffee last longer, so you can still consume it a few days after making your coffee!

On the other hand, if you do not have the luxury of time to make your coffee, there are many cold brew coffee delivery services out there. At Wake The Crew, we offer not only the delivery of coffee concentrates and ready-to-drink bottled cold brew coffee but also wholesale and event catering.

All our cold brews are freshly brewed in our SFA-approved microbrewery in Singapore, guaranteed to give you the flavoury goodness and caffeine fix you need. Don’t hesitate to contact us today for any enquiries!

If you have been a coffee drinker for a long time now, you probably began your coffee journey with a simple percolator. However, if you are a budding coffee connoisseur, it is about time that you consider graduating into a manual brewing process, which enables you to have more control over the variables that can change or affect your coffee’s flavour.

When it comes to coffee brewing, two processes often stand out: pour over and immersion. People who brew coffee at home commonly use these brewing methods to make their coffee. To know how these processes are distinct from each other, this article explores the main differences between pour over and immersion coffee brewing.

What is pour over brewing?

Pour over brewing is among the most popular methods of manual coffee brewing. As its name suggests, this method involves simply pouring water through the coffee grounds and a filter. It lets the grounds sit in the water for a specific amount of time before filtering them out. 

Compared to immersion brewing, pour over brewing is usually completed faster, as it involves continuously introducing new and freshwater to the coffee grounds, which hastens the brewing process. However, in some instances, the continuous introduction of water can also extract too much flavour from the grounds too rapidly. This results in a decreased quality of the coffee. To avoid this, pour brewing should be done properly.

How to make a pour over coffee?

To make a pour over coffee, you will need various tools, such as a kettle, thermometer, burr grinder, and gram scale (optional). Light roast or medium roast coffee beans are ideal for pour over brewing, as the process makes their flavours genuinely shine. In terms of grinding, it is best to have the size of your coffee grounds relatively coarse.

The first step to brewing a pour over coffee is to wet the grounds by placing them in the filter and pouring just enough water to soak them without allowing the water to run through into the basin underneath. Let the wet coffee grounds sit for around 30 seconds to enable them to release all the carbon dioxide trapped inside. Otherwise, the water will not be able to completely penetrate the grounds, resulting in a weak or watery coffee.

After you are done wetting the coffee grounds and letting them sit for 30 seconds, you should continue pouring hot water over the filter. Your pace depends on your coffee beans’ roast level. If you are using light or medium roast beans, the total brewing time should be 3 to 4 minutes. On the other hand, for darker roast beans, 90 seconds to 3 minutes of total brewing time is recommended.

What is immersion brewing?

Immersion brewing is another popular method for brewing coffee manually. As its name suggests, immersion brewing is done by immersing coffee grounds with water. You can use various coffee devices, such as an Aeropress, a Clever Dripper, and a French Press. 

What is great about this method of manual coffee brewing is that it allows you to have control over several variables, such as the size of the coffee grounds, the water’s temperature, and the amount of time that the water and the coffee grounds interact. Once you are ready with everything, you have to pour the mixture through a filter, and you will already have a flavourful cup of immersion brewed coffee.

How to make an immersion brewed coffee?

As mentioned earlier, there are a lot of different tools you can use to make an immersion brewed coffee, but the most common device many people use is the French Press. To use a French Press, you need to heat some water and prepare the coffee grounds.

Put the coffee grounds in the cylinder, pour the water in, and press the plunger down until all the grounds are submerged. Wait for around 4 minutes before pressing the plunger all the way down. After the time is over, pour the coffee into a cup, and enjoy!

Aside from a hot cup of coffee, you can also make a cold brew coffee using a French Press. The process of creating an immersion brewed cold coffee is relatively straightforward. All you have to do is immerse the coarse coffee grounds in cold water, cover the brewing vessel, place it in the fridge or on the counter, wait for about 12 to 15 hours, and strain. Because it is relatively easy to make, the popularity of cold brew coffee in Singapore is not surprising at all. 

Conclusion

Manual brewing methods, such as pour over and immersion brewing, are an excellent way to develop your inner coffee connoisseur. They allow you to experiment with various water temperatures, ground sizes, and water-to-coffee ratios. By knowing the difference between pour over and immersion brewing methods, you can now find the formula for your perfect cup (or bottle) of coffee more easily!

If you do not have time to brew your own coffee, you do not have to worry because there are plenty of cold brew coffee delivery services. But for the best and most flavourful cold brew coffee, Wake The Crew is the brand you should choose! With years of experimentation, we have developed and perfected a cold brewing method that will surely bring out the healthiest components and tastiest flavours of your coffee! Avail our cold brew delivery in Singapore now to taste the best cold brew in town.

Whether you're a casual coffee drinker or a big fan of coffee, it's time you discover the wonders that cold brew coffee holds. Cold brew coffee has been around for quite some time now, but it has only become popular in Singapore and other countries as of late. As more and more people come to like the unique flavour of cold brew, it's only a matter of time before they get interested in the drink and learn more about its facts and benefits. With the rise in popularity of cold brew, research related to the beverage has also increased, and their findings are what we'll be sharing with you here. So, without further ado, let's dive into the intriguing facts about cold brew coffee that you may haven't heard of before!

1. It can boost body metabolism

People with a high metabolism burn more calories during physical activity and even at rest. Thus, they need to increase their calorie count to maintain their weight. If you're interested in improving your metabolism, whether to slim down or for other reasons, many foods and beverages are proven to increase body metabolism. Caffeine is one of them. One study found out that caffeine helps raise metabolism levels by 11%, which means the more coffee you drink over time, the greater the chances of slowly increasing your metabolism. Moreover, since cold brew coffee contains more caffeine than any other type of coffee, as we'll discuss more later, it's a great reason to get more cold brew in your system.

2. It may lower the risk of developing Type 2 diabetes

Diabetes is categorised into two types: Type 1 and Type 2 diabetes. The latter occurs when your blood sugar levels get too high, leading to health conditions. Studies suggest that drinking four to six cups of coffee per day may help reduce your risk of developing Type 2 diabetes since coffee contains antioxidants called chlorogenic acids. In addition, cold brew coffee helps regulate gut peptides, whose function is to slow and control digestion and stabilise blood sugar. 

3. It could reduce the risk of Alzheimer's disease

Alzheimer's disease leads to the death of many brain cells, which causes memory loss. Studies have found that coffees like cold brew coffee contain certain elements that combat the risk of Alzheimer's and others like it. The beverage mainly stimulates the nervous system via caffeine, positively impacting brain function.

4. It tastes sweeter than hot brewed coffee

Do you prefer your coffee to be on the sweeter side but are not a fan of adding sugar? Cold brew coffee may be what you're looking for. Unlike traditional hot coffee, cold brew coffee comes with a sweeter taste due to its lower acidity levels. Since the coffee is brewed cold, the oils responsible for the acidity are softened, resulting in the flavour becoming stronger yet tasting sweeter. Moreover, it brings out many of the coffee beans' unique characteristics and flavour profiles. This presents various blends you can try out, all with distinct tastes.

5. It contains more caffeine than other coffees 

Due to the prolonged steeping process in making cold brew coffee contains a higher amount of caffeine than other coffees, mainly due to its higher coffee-to-water ratio. However, keep in mind that this primarily applies to the cold brew concentrate, which is far too strong for direct consumption. Cold brew coffee is generally enjoyed by weakening this concentrate by mixing it with other liquid additives like water, cream, or milk.

Conclusion 

Coffee comes in many types and flavours, with cold brew coffee being only one of many ways to enjoy the beverage. Regardless if you've been a long-time fan of cold brew or just starting to enjoy it, we hope you've enjoyed learning more about the wonders of cold brew coffee. 

Interested in getting your fix of delicious cold brew without the hassle? Check out our ready-to-drink cold brew coffee in Singapore today! At Wake The Crew, you can shop for your favourite cold brew coffee concentrates and even sign up for a subscription so you'll never run out of stock! All our offerings are made-to-order and freshly made from our SFA-approved microbrewery to guarantee that you're not missing out on any of the flavoury goodness you've been craving. With our cold brew coffee delivery in Singapore, getting your cold brew fix has never been easier! Don't hesitate to contact us today to learn more about our coffee, wholesale options, and other details!

Next to water and soda, coffee is the third most popular type of drink globally. This is not surprising considering that coffee is usually rich in aroma and has many health benefits. No matter what time of the day it is, a cup of hot coffee or a bottle of cold brew coffee in Singapore is never a bad idea.

However, sometimes, it can be challenging to enjoy your morning or afternoon coffee when there are so many misconceptions about what is in your cup. These misconceptions can discourage you from drinking this beverage or prevent you from enjoying its full benefits. To help you identify true and false information about coffee, this article explores 5 of the most common coffee myths and their truths.

Myth #1: Coffee causes dehydration

Many people refuse to drink coffee because they believe it causes them to become dehydrated. However, although coffee has a light diuretic effect, it is often negligible and offset by the amount of water in the coffee. Indeed, if you look at your cup of coffee, you will likely notice a watery consistency. The volume of water in a cup or bottle makes up for caffeine’s dehydrating effects.

Myth #2: Caffeine is very addictive

Although there is a little bit of truth to this one, it is not as bad as many people believe or claim. One of the effects of caffeine is to stimulate the central nervous system. This results in a very slight dependence, but the withdrawal effects only last around two days. Hence, the withdrawal effects of caffeine are a far cry from those of highly addictive substances like nicotine, alcohol, and drugs. 

Myth #3: Coffee aids weight loss

This is a common myth floating around gyms and Zumba classes that coffee is an effective aid in losing weight. However, science says this is not exactly so. While caffeine’s stimulating effects can slightly boost your metabolism, it is not enough to make a difference in your diet, especially in terms of long-term weight loss. Caffeine may decrease your appetite for a brief time, but there is not enough evidence to prove that long-term consumption allows you to lose weight.

Myth #4: Darker roast means stronger coffee

If you are trying to stay awake for an exam or your work deliverables, choosing dark roast coffee beans over light roast ones will not always provide you with the strong coffee you need. This is because the darkness or lightness of the roast is not indicative of the coffee’s strength.

Many studies show that caffeine is about the same in light and dark roast beans, as long as the coffee is measured by weight instead of volume. On the other hand, if a dark roast coffee were measured by volume, it would contain fewer beans because of their large size and result in less caffeine per cup than a light roast coffee measured in the same way.

Myth #5: Coffee is bad for the health

Another major misconception surrounding coffee consumption is that drinking coffee is bad for the health and may cause some illnesses. However, much evidence from places like Harvard shows that coffee is good if taken in moderation.

Taking a moderate amount of caffeine daily is not going to hurt you. It can provide you with some health benefits, such as boosting your energy and concentration, relieving your migraine headaches, and even reducing your risk of cardiovascular disease. According to studies, you can safely consume up to 300 milligrams of coffee or three cups every day.

Conclusion

Knowing the different common misconceptions about coffee and the truths behind them is essential, as it allows you to enjoy the full benefits of this all-time favourite drink. By learning more facts about coffee, you can now enjoy your morning cup of Americano or afternoon cold brew bottle with peace of mind. 

At Wake The Crew, our coffee concentrates are low in acidity and rich in sweetness and natural flavours, making it a perfect beverage to drink any time of the day. We also offer cold brew delivery in Singapore, wholesale options, and more! Contact us today to get your caffeine fix!