If you’ve been to a trendy coffee shop lately, there’s a good chance you’ve seen “flash brew” on the menu. You may have wondered what it was or if it was worth trying.
If you love rich, flavorful coffee, flash brew might be your new favorite way to get your caffeine fix.
Read on to learn more about this unique brewing method and why it could be the perfect choice for your morning cup of joe.
Flash Brew Coffee Overview
Flash-brewed coffee, or Japanese, is an incredibly versatile brewing method that yields a smooth, flavorful cup of coffee.
Flash brew uses ice to create an icy cold, concentrated extraction, unlike other brewing methods.
The process begins with finely ground coffee beans added to hot water. The combination then passes through the filter and is cooled by adding ice.
This rapid chilling causes the coffee’s caffeine, flavor compounds, and oils to become trapped and locked in solution.
The result is a clean-tasting cup of coffee with an intense flavor and body without bitterness or sourness.
How to Make Flash Brew Coffee
Flash-brewed coffee is a unique brewing method that produces an intense and flavorful cup of coffee. You need freshly ground coffee beans, hot water, and ice to make flash-brewed coffee.
Once you have your ingredients, you will start making flash brew coffee by grinding up some good-quality coffee beans.
Use a medium-coarse grind and measure out 2 ounces of ground coffee. Place the grounds in a large French press, pour 8 ounces of hot water over the grounds, and stir thoroughly.
Allow the mixture to steep for several minutes until all the water has been absorbed. After the steeping, press down on the plunger to separate the grounds from the brewed coffee.
Pour this freshly brewed hot coffee into a carafe or another container with a spout for easy pouring.
Next, take an equal amount of ice cubes or crushed ice (8 ounces) and put them into an insulated pitcher or tumbler.
Carefully pour the freshly-brewed hot coffee directly over these ice cubes to cool down the drink.
Stir lightly so that all ice cubes melt completely, and evenly chill the iced coffee mixture.
If you don’t have any crushed ice available, fill a bowl with cold water and add 4 ounces of regular cubed ice before pouring in your hot coffee mixture, as this will also help chill it quickly.
Once everything is mixed, your flash brew coffee is ready to serve.
For extra flavor, add a teaspoon of sweetened condensed milk before serving; it adds sweetness and helps balance out some bitterness from the coffee grounds.
Tips for Making Flash Brew Coffee
When making flash-brewed coffee, using freshly ground beans stored away from oxygen, heat, light, and moisture is essential.
These elements can diminish the flavor extracted from your grounds during brewing.
Additionally, use filtered water if possible, as it will provide more flavor clarity than tap water.
When it comes time to pour your water on top of your grounds, remember that agitation is critical when making flash brew; slowly stir the mixture while pouring to saturate all the grounds with liquid at once evenly.
Using this technique will ensure proper extraction from each particle of ground coffee bean.
The Benefits of Flash Brew Coffee
One of the most significant advantages of flash brew coffee is its much lower acidity level than regular hot-brewed coffee.
This means it won’t give you the same jolt that regular hot java would, but it won’t leave you feeling as jittery or anxious afterward.
It’s also much smoother on your palate and more mellow than other brewing methods, making it perfect for those who don’t like overly bitter coffees.
Lastly, since there’s no need to heat water, you can make a batch of Japanese iced coffee in just minutes.
Flash Brew Coffee vs. Cold Brew Coffee
While flash brew and cold brew coffee produce deliciously chilled coffee drinks, the two differ in many ways, starting with production and ending in flavor.
For example, flash brew coffee production involves pouring hot water over the grounds and into a glass of ice. The process is quick and done right before drinking.
On the other hand, cold brew’s process can take anywhere from 12-24 hours to complete depending on how strong you like your coffee.
First, coarsely ground beans are steeped in cold or room-temperature water for an extended period (usually 12-24 hours).
The resulting brew is lower in acidity than flash-brewed coffee, making it less bitter and easier on the stomach for those sensitive to acidic beverages.
Since no heat is used during this process, many people find that cold brew retains more natural flavors from the beans and more caffeine than flash-brewed coffee.
When comparing both methods, you’ll notice that Flash Brew yields something smooth and sweet while Cold Brew yields something much bolder and more intense flavor with a syrupy body due to its longer extraction time frame.
Depending on your taste preference, either could be your go-to for an afternoon pick-me-up.
Final Thoughts
Flash-brewed coffee is quickly becoming one of the most popular ways to make delicious cups at home.
This method will consistently deliver whether you prefer your java light and bright or dark and bold. So why not give it a try today?
With some coarsely ground beans, water, and patience, you can craft smooth cups packed with flavor that won’t leave any bitter aftertaste behind.