Cold brew, RTD, nitro, flash brew: what does it all mean? 

Cold coffee has exploded in recent years, largely breaking free of seasonal consumer habits and becoming a daily staple for many coffee consumers. 

Iced and blended coffee (think iced lattes and frappuccinos) initially formed the foundation of cold coffee trends. Still, in recent years, cold brew has grown in popularity and offers a distinct consumer experience.

Today, cafes, coffee shops, and myriad other hospitality businesses, including bars and hotels, have begun offering cold brew on their menus, thanks in part to its versatility. 

Cold brew can wear many different hats. It can be a crucial component in a cocktail or mocktail, drafted through a nitrogen tap, or canned as ambient RTD for people on the go.

But as with any growing trend, novel terms, products, and processes crop up, so we spoke with Chad Burton, Head of Sales at Cosmic Garden Coffee in Dubai, to learn more.

Cold brew

Cold brew is a method of preparing coffee at room temperature or in cold water. According to Chad, it’s “an increasingly popular beverage, particularly among those who prefer milk-free, black coffee beverages”.

Coarse coffee grounds are steeped in water for anywhere between 12 to 24 hours, encouraging a slower and more gentle extraction process than under the hot environment of an espresso machine or a batch brewer.

The typical result is a smoother and less bitter drink in comparison to a hot coffee, with mellow acidic notes, making it a great entry point for those new to specialty coffee. In the past, cold brew production has increased brewing time by removing the traditional heat exchange process, but newer equipment like the Hardtank 20 and Baby Hardtank can brew batches in as little as 45 minutes. 

What used to be a long labor of love can now be efficient and versatile, brewing different coffees in a more approachable manner.

Iced/cold coffee

Iced coffee is a widely-used term that refers to a multitude of different beverages that contain coffee in some form and is served chilled. 

This means many classic coffee shop drinks, like the americano and latte, are available iced. These are made using hot espresso shots served over ice and either cold milk or water to chill the final beverage. 

Meanwhile, blended iced coffee – like a frappuccino – is prepared by blending any combination of espresso shot with water or milk, and can be customised with flavourings, syrups, cream, and plenty of other toppings.

Iced coffee was traditionally reserved for warmer weather, but recent trends suggest that more consumers are opting for their favourite cold beverages throughout the year. 

Cold brew and nitro coffee are also often referred to as iced coffee despite ice not being an essential component in its preparation. 

RTD

RTD, or ready-to-drink, refers to any beverage that is packaged and sold in a prepared form for immediate consumption, such as a can, bottle, or carton. 

For the coffee industry, cold brew is an excellent way for operators and manufacturers to reach customers beyond the cafe or coffee shop and diversify their offerings in-store. 

RTD nitro cold brew offers businesses the chance to experiment with a diverse range of flavorings, decaffeinated options, low-calorie options, and diet-friendly options. 

However, canning or manufacturing RTD beverages can prove complex and cost-intensive, so many roasters or operators choose to work with private-label manufacturers like Hardtank. 

By working with external partners, businesses can pick precisely what they want from their RTD range and outsource production, saving on up-front investment costs and reducing supply chain complexity. 

Nitro cold brew

Nitro cold brew differs from traditional cold brew coffee through the infusion of nitrogen gas in the production process or at the point of sale. 

“The infusion creates tiny bubbles in the coffee, resulting in a velvety, creamy texture, and reduces the bitterness of the coffee, enhancing its sweetness and balance,” Chad says.

As an RTD product, liquid nitrogen is added during the canning phase of production, sealing in the creamy effect created by the bubbles.

In the cafe or coffee shop, a draft system similar to those found in bars and restaurants can also be used to pour nitro cold brew straight from the tap. 

“Nitro is becoming increasingly popular, with many cafes, restaurants, and roasteries offering it on tap, and most retailers are offering a range of canned nitro products,” he adds.

Flash brew

Flash brew is a method of cold coffee preparation that was originally popularised in Japan. 

Essentially, you brew pour-over as usual with a dripper like the Hario V60 or Kalita Wave, but with one main difference: the vessel underneath is filled with ice.

The hot liquid dripping through is then instantly chilled as it comes in contact with the ice, ultimately preparing a cold coffee concentrate that is then diluted as the ice melts. 

Extraction yield

In simplest terms, extraction yield is the volume of soluble aromatic and flavor compounds that transfer from the coffee grounds to the final cup during the process of brewing. 

The ideal window is between 18% and 22% – anything less will result in an under-extracted, overly acidic, and weak coffee, and anything more tends to exhibit more bitterness. 

“With cold brew coffee, managing the coffee-to-water ratio and brewing time is crucial due to the lengthy extraction process,” Chad says. “Finding balance is key to achieving great flavor.”

However, this challenge – traditionally an issue with cold coffee brewing – has been made easier thanks to Hardtank’s patented recirculation process. 

Recirculation

A patented process for brewing cold coffee, recirculation combines the best qualities of the two most important brewing methods in the industry. 

Percolation is when water moves through coffee grounds either through pressure or gravity. This is how coffee is brewed using espresso machines, batch brewers, or pour-over drippers.

Immersion, meanwhile, is when coffee is submerged in water – such as with a French press, Clever Dripper, or traditional cold brew.

By using agitation and continually circulating the brewing water through the coffee, Hardtank machines can brew cold coffee more quickly than traditional methods – guaranteeing market-leading extraction levels in as little as 45 minutes. 

Cold tea

The preparation of cold tea is similar to cold brew coffee, where room temperature or cold water is used for steeping instead of hot water. 

Cold brewing tea can result in a less bitter taste and a better retention of the tea’s natural antioxidants.

Beyond coffee brewing, both the Hardtank 20 and Baby Hardtank are excellent choices for cold brewing tea; both machines are versatile, and coffee grounds can easily be substituted for tea leaves. 

Private label & custom formula

Private label, white label, and custom formula are terms that refer to the manufacturing or packaging of a product under the name of a retailer instead of the manufacturer. 

Instead of making large financial investments in commercial equipment, a retailer can opt to partner with a business that offers private label RTD manufacturing and save on cost.

Custom formulation goes a step further and involves a closer partnership between the retailer and manufacturer, who work in tandem to design a bespoke, retailer-specific solution. 

By partnering with Hardtank and opting for a custom formula, for example, a retailer would be able to prepare an RTD nitro cold brew beverage based on one of their existing coffees, guaranteeing their customers a truly unique product.

At Hardtank, we offer both commercial cold brew equipment and private label RTD services for businesses.

Our equipment range consists of the following:

• Hardtank 20: The classic Hardtank device that can produce 1,000 portions of cold brew in one day. 
• Hardtank 1T: Functions just like the Hardtank 20 but has an integrated dispenser tap. 
• Hardtank 2T: Has two built-in taps to help your team streamline service.
• Baby Hardtank: The countertop version of our technology is ideal for smaller venues. 

If you’d like to branch out into offering a line of RTD nitro cold brew coffee to your customers, we offer a private label service. You have two options when you partner with Hardtank: You can choose coffees from our range or create your own custom formula. Everything will be brewed, canned, and packaged with your branding at our facility. 

To find out more about partnering with us for RTD nitro cold brew coffee or sourcing cutting-edge equipment, contact our team.

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