Over the past few years, a fresh coffee trend has sprung up in cold brew, taking coffee lovers by storm everywhere. I love a cold brew; whether it’s a hot or a cold day, I like to drink in excess and quench my thirst in ice cubes.
As a cold brew enthusiast, there’s that lingering hesitation about nitro. We’ve all seen it, so let’s discuss nitro coffee.
You may hear it mentioned at your gym or in your favorite coffee shop, but not everyone knows what it is or why there’s excitement around it.
The definition of nitro coffee
NCB, or nitro coffee, is a different cold brew infused with nitrogen gas to achieve a unique mouthfeel and flavor. It’s mostly served on tap, and the beverage was first served on tap around 2012. It was available on the shelves in the form of cans in 2014. Its popularity has skyrocketed ever since, which is why you can find it in practically any specialty coffee shop.
Want to learn the actual history of coffee?
Origin of nitro
Who exactly started this trend? The most common story you are likely to hear is Austin, Texas’s Mike McKim, the founder of Cuvée Coffee, began things and was closely followed by Portland, Oregon’s Stumptown.
However, as mentioned by Esquire magazine, The Queens Kickshaw should receive credit for the origin of this trend. This New York coffee pub began serving its cold brew through the draft system in 2011.
Whoever created it, whether you want to debate who you think should be credited for this trend. It’s a must-try drink for any coffee lovers out there.
Why is nitrogen being used?
Gas nitrogen is tasteless and odorless, making it more difficult to infuse in liquids than CO2. If you’re imagining fizzy coffee now, you are advised to understand that’s not quite how this works—both the texture and the flavor of coffee benefit from the added nitrogen. However, instead of making them crackly like carbonated drinks, nitrogen makes them foamier.
This difference gives the coffee a velvety texture, similar to a frothy beer. The nitrogen makes what is black coffee taste and feel like you have already added cream and sugar. Coffee lovers find this an exciting prospect.
Read our article on how to make nitro cold brew coffee to understand more.
Or check out our best nitro coffee maker.
Gassing it
People may have been startled when hearing nitrogen was being added to their drinks initially, but gassing drinks isn’t a new invention. Many of us have done it in science class by throwing dry ice in some.
Adding gas to obtain a little pizazz to drinks like soda, sparkling water, or even beer is not new. It is just the nitrogen that is different simply because you do not see it as often. However, some beer brands are acknowledged to use it.
How it’s served
Nitro coffee brew has a unique combination, making it necessary to serve it uniquely. A few companies have unlocked the secret for canning it, but the experience between canned and fresh is still considerable.
On tap
Nitrogen gas is difficult to keep in liquids; therefore, nitro coffee is typically served on tap. The foam dissolving gives this coffee its signature texture, just like beer. A dispenser is needed to create the pressure for adding nitrogen to the beverage.
Unfortunately, this also indicates that making a nitro brew home is difficult because it requires specialized equipment.
Toppings? Add a little oomph
Nitrogen gives the drink a natural sweetness; many out there are still looking forward to more oomph. Instead of adding sugar to the beverage, many sweet tooth owners prefer adding other tasty add-ins to enhance their nitro coffee experience.
Some of the popular additions include:
Vanilla syrup and sweet cream
But some coffee shops have chosen to go the extra mile with their add-ons.
For example, Mighty Brew Bros in Manhattan has created the Nitro Pop and the Nitro Float. The first is a coffee popsicle, and the second includes vanilla ice cream. Coffee nitro float?
If you are already a fan of nitro coffee, you can try one of these exciting combos to receive even more out of the drink.
Why the hype?
Think of Starbucks; for them to look for equipment, the process, the popularity, the demand, and the extra room to have a keg of nitro coffee in their space does say a lot. So along with fitness studios, it’s not a fad; it’s here to stay.
Coffee shops
Boasting about their specific beans and blends is a popular pastime amongst many coffee shops because plenty of thought goes into their selection. That’s why the nitro brewery is growing. With each dependent method and technique rather than just beans or blending, it can be offered by virtually any shop simply by purchasing some extra equipment. It’s a new playing field.
Health Conscious
Fitness fans have liked this cold brew because of its flavor and chilliness. The nitrogen can create a natural flavor that hints at sweetness, allowing many fanatics to drink it straight. In addition, the chillness of this brew makes it less acidic, making it easier on the digestive system.
Also, nitro in a can is available in several blends, like nut milk blends saturated with healthy fats, because it helps keep the nitrous oxide in the drink. The health-conscious ingredients and great taste have drawn much attention from coffee lovers.
Wrapping up
If you haven’t tasted nitro cold brew, what’s holding you back? I’m not saying get with the program, but it doesn’t hurt to try. The experience of drinking black coffee that tastes and feels like a sweetened creamy breakfast is not something that no black coffee enthusiast would pass, even me.
FAQ
Is Nitro Coffee dangerous?
Also, the risk is greater, which can sound counter-intuitive to others if the product is pasteurized after packaging. The key message is that no scientific evidence suggests cold brew coffee is safe when held in a reduced oxygen packaging system, such as nitrogen-infused cans.
What is the point of nitrogen-infused coffee?
One hypothesis is that nitrogen infusion slows coffee-compound degradation. These compounds break down like how iron rusts when exposed to too much oxygen — giving the coffee a sour, bitter taste.
Is nitrogen good for health?
Nitrogen is a harmless gas cooled to such a low temperature that it becomes liquid. However, liquid nitrogen is extremely cold, so careful safety precautions must be taken when handling it, as it can cause frostbite and cryogenic burns like steam or hot oil.
Is it OK to drink nitrogen?
Although liquid nitrogen is used to produce ice cream and other edible science foods before these products are eaten, nitrogen evaporates into a gas, so it is not present when ingested.
Does liquid nitrogen have side effects?
Not for drinking. However, if you intend to make nitro cold brew, liquid nitrogen could cause serious freeze-burning injury, particularly if it splashes in your eyes or you get a lot of skin. Make sure you keep it in a purpose-designed container; wear goggles, gloves, and a waterproof apron.
Does nitrogen affect caffeine?
Since nitrogen does not dissolve in water until it is pressurized, it forms very small bubbles that do not change the coffee taste but affect the texture. It’s creamy, which some drinkers seemed to enjoy. No evidence of caffeine changes
Editorial Staff
The editorial staff at Crazy Coffee Crave is a team of coffee enthusiasts & Baristas who enjoy the one thing we all think about as soon as we get up in the morning. Trusted by thousands of readers worldwide.
