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How pure is your cold brew?

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Cold brew in Europe is about to boom, but which brew is right for you?

Cold brew coffee is leading the next global wave of coffee culture. In Europe, cold brew is the fastest growing segment in RTD/Iced Coffee, a market value at €1.4bn. 

And what’s not to love? Less acidity than regular hot brew? Tick. Naturally sweet? Tick. A sensorial delight? Double tick. But, as brands and operators race to capture their share of the growing market, there’s an important question to answer: “what is the right type of cold brew for you?”.

Types of Cold Brew of Finlays

Cold Brew 101

Unlike other coffee extracts, cold brew coffee is made by gently steeping coffee in ambient or cold water for extended periods of time. This helps to extract the finest flavours from the bean, without using heat or pressure. This slow, gentle process creates a smooth, rich, roast and ground flavour profile. It is this premium, sensorial experience that differentiates cold brew from other iced coffee products. 

When is cold brew not cold brew?

As consumer demand for cold brew heats up in Europe, we’re seeing cold brew products of differing quality and provenance enter the market. Smoothness, natural sweetness and lower acidity are key attributes synonymous with cold brew. But not all cold brew products on the market offer these critical attributes. That’s because, like any craft, the magic is in the process.

When it comes to cold brew, keeping temperatures cool during the extraction step of the process is critical. However, some manufacturers actually use heat to improve yields and achieve higher concentrations. But, like most shortcuts, what starts out as a good idea can quickly turn sour. In the case of cold brew, the final product is often more acidic, less smooth and more importantly, fails to meet expectations. The market will only continue to grow with repeat purchase and consumer perception driven differentiation. Critically, quality is key. 

That’s why at Finlays, unless it’s been extracted using cool or ambient temperature water using a slow and gentle extraction process, we don’t call it pure cold brew. 

Categories of cold brew - Finlays

Categories of cold brew 

Within cold brew, there are two main varieties of product available. At Finlays we refer to those types “pure cold brew” and “made with cold brew”. And which one of these is right for each brand owner will depend on the application in question.

Finlays defines “pure cold brew” as being cold brew with nothing else added to it. It is smooth, less acidic and delivers a roast and ground coffee flavour that is ideal for premium applications. Its natural sweetness and full-bodied flavour also means it doesn’t require much else. When pairing cold brew with milk, sugar or flavours, a little goes a long way.

“Made with cold brew” on the other hand, tends to be a combination of cold brew and soluble coffee. It may also include bulking agents. This makes it easier to achieve higher concentration levels and can be more cost-effective. This method is ideal for heavy dairy applications, like ice cream, to ensure the coffee flavour cuts through. 

How to understand Cold Brew by Finlays

Why it matters

Europe is at the start of its cold brew journey, and the road ahead is exciting. But at this early stage it is critical brand owners and operators understand cold brew as a product, what consumers expect and what makes it such an exciting, long-term proposition. Choosing the right cold brew is therefore critical. 

Consumers don’t just want cold brew because it’s the next big thing. They want it because it offers a premium, sensorial experience unlike other products on the market. 

 Want to find out more about Finlays cold brew? Visit Cold Brew Coffee Suppliers & Producers | Finlays.

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