Dutch Coffee (Page 2)

Dutch Coffee at Raleigh Court UMC

We are introducing our Homebrewed Dutch Coffee, as our year-round fundraiser for missions.We want to use the money that we raise to outreach to our communities in need, local and abroad. We hope to help, not only to the monetary needs of this world but also become the working hands of God. Our goal is to extend our hearts, our hands, and our resources to transform the lives of others, so they can see the hope this world still offers. Also, we want to connect with people and hopefully transform our own world in the process so that we may have a more profound connection as humans, and to God.

What is Dutch Coffee?

Dutch Coffee is a brew method that originates from the golden ages. Unlike most coffee which is brewed with hot water, this is brewed using cold water and a Dutch Coffee Dripper. Dutch coffee takes a long time to brew and depends on the quantity that you would like. It can take anywhere from a few hours for a small amount or twelve to more hours for a larger amount. Even though the brewing process does require more patience, there are benefits to using this method. Using this method barely oxidizes the coffee grounds, which hold in the flavors in order to taste the different subtleties of flavors the bean possess.This process also has a lower acidity and less bitterness than your hot brewed coffee, even if you use the same beans. Due to the steeping and oxidizing, hot brew loses its flavor, but it is also why it has that great aroma. Dutch coffee also has zero calories because the fat from coffee beans are insoluble in cold water. This is a more concentrated coffee extract due to the slow process and only takes a little coffee in ratio to water after it has been brewed and will last up to several months in the refrigerator. You can make your coffee to taste, hot or cold, but I recommend you try it on the rocks first. This is a great alternative for the coffee purist who prefers to stay away from highly sweetened and milky coffees.

A Little History of Dutch Coffee

The Netherlands played a huge part in the distribution of coffee. Yemen tried to stop the spread of coffee by banning the export of fertile coffee. Dutch traders went around this ban in 1616 by shipping off full coffee plants from Mocha. The plants were spread to Malaba in India where the first Dutch coffee farms were founded. In 1699, coffee plants were also taken to Batavia, in Indonesia, to expand their production. Several years later, the Dutch became the largest suppliers of coffee in Europe. In Europe, coffee was mostly consumed hot, but in the East, they used the cold brewing method. This insured that the large quantities of coffee being shipped back home would not expire at sea. Dutch coffee also spread throughout East Asia and is still very prominent today and in some places, like South Korea, it is known as, “The wine of coffee”.

Cold Brew Vs Dutch Coffee

Yes, this is a type of cold brew, but it differs from cold brew most people know from places like Starbucks. Yes, they both take a long time before being able to enjoy, but its less for Dutch if you want just a small amount. The difference is in the way it is brewed. Places like Starbucks use a Toddy for their cold brew, which is a device that allows the maker to put in the ground coffee beans and then add the water, which oxidizes the coffee. The grounds are steeped in the refrigerator overnight and then the water is drained out through a filter from the bottom of the Toddy into a pitcher or pot. A Dutch Coffee brew uses a Dutch Coffee Dripper, which is filled with ice at the top. As the ice melts, it drips out very slowly at a controlled rate through compacted bean ground. It does take less beans to make than the Toddy cold brew. The water then makes its way through the grounds to the catcher below. This helps to prevent oxidation from pouring the water over the grounds and the need to steep it to try and gather full flavor from the bean ground. There is also less of an aftertaste. Though the differences may not be that great, it does make a difference in the coffee overall experience and taste.