Nitro cold brew coffee machines make more consistent, higher-quality nitro coffee a viable addition to a modern coffee brand product portfolio. As coffee consumers seek innovative coffee-based beverages, nitro cold brew coffee is fast becoming a popular choice. 

Whether your coffee business model revolves around brick-and-mortar coffee shops, wholesale F&B supplying, e-commerce and FMCG retail, or a combination of all three, nitro cold brew coffee machines offer a comprehensive solution to bringing new products to market quickly. 

With patented recirculation technology, food-grade stainless steel, intelligent monitoring, and rapid brew times, investing in a state-of-the-art piece of equipment will transform your operation. 

To learn more, we spoke to Dylan Cumming, managing director of Beaver Creek Coffee Estate. 

Nitro cold brew coffee explained

Nitro cold brew coffee begins life as a regular cold brew or cold brew concentrate, which can be made in a number of ways. Traditionally, cold brewing coffee involves steeping coarsely ground coffee in cool water for an extended period – up to 24 hours. 

Most often, the water and coffee are left undisturbed in a large jug or bucket. As the coffee grounds infuse the surrounding water, the total dissolved solids ratio (a measurement of the total concentration of dissolved substances in water) increases. The optimum TDS ratio is between 1.45 and 1.55. 

When brewed traditionally, cold brew concentrate is the typical result. Concentrate has a higher TDS level than ideal, so the liquid is then diluted with water to bring the ratio down to optimum drinking levels. 

Nitro cold brew coffee machines have transformed this process dramatically. By using recirculation technology, water is constantly moving through the coffee grounds, increasing the rate of interaction and speeding up the infusion. Hardtank machines, for example, can brew cold brew to an optimum TDS level in under an hour. 

From an operational point of view, quicker cold brew means easier forecasting and planning and quicker service speeds, increasing a business’s revenue potential and limiting costly wastage or supply deficiencies. 

With the Hardtank 20, our largest nitro cold brew coffee machine brewed cold brew is transferred via a direct line to a holding keg for pouring. The Hardtank 20 can be fitted with one or two nitrogen draught taps for direct dispensing from the unit. At this point, your regular cold brew becomes nitro coffee. 

Cold brew is fed through the tap system and infused with nitrogen before it is poured. The nitrogen adds millions of tiny bubbles to the liquid, creating a foamy, creamy texture reminiscent of a porter ale or Guinness. 

Nitro coffee drinkers find the result a more indulgent beverage, enhanced by the smoother mouthfeel, and regularly see no need to add sweeteners or other artificial additives to enhance the sweetness of the beverage. As such, nitro coffee matches up well with health-conscious diets and low/no-sugar beverage demands.

How to leverage nitro cold brew coffee machines to transform your company

Modern coffee consumers are more informed than ever before. High-quality and specialty-grade coffee products are retailed in abundance and found in artisanal coffee shops, restaurants, supermarkets, convenience stores, and online. 

As great coffee has democratised and become more accessible than ever, consumers are searching for innovative products that differentiate beyond quality alone. 

“Research highlights significant growth in the cold brew category, driven by a consumer shift away from carbonated beverages and increasing demand for convenience,” says Dylan. 

“With growing cold brew brand awareness, new entrants can capture more market share by innovating in brew recipes and flavour combinations – aligning with consumer taste preferences and trends – while managing caffeine levels and maintaining competitive pricing compared to traditional coffee shops.

“These factors will drive cold brew from a niche segment into the mainstream RTD coffee market.”

Nitro coffee, which is RTD-ready and can be prepared with any coffee bean, specialty-grade or not, is an example of the broader potential of cold brew coffee. By adding nitrogen infusion, your business is able to differentiate itself from the competition further. 

Secondly, as mentioned, nitro coffee is inherently indulgent and does not need to be heavily laden with artificial sweeteners to become palatable. The cold brew itself appeals to modern diets through its mellow, low-acid, and lighter-tasting profile. Nitro cold brew builds on these elements and adds an innovative twist. 

Luckily, both cold brew coffee and nitro cold brew coffee are highly customisable. Flavour infusions, pairings with alternative milk, and low/no-sugar additives are easy to prepare with nitro cold brew coffee machines and are popular choices with young shoppers in particular. 

For wholesale businesses, cold brew can be produced by a nitro cold brew coffee machine and then kegged for easy distribution and linked up to your clients’ nitro draught systems for on-site nitro pouring. 

If you’re considering a line of RTD nitro cold brew, the Hardtank 20 can produce up to 1,250 200 ml portions of cold brew per day, ready to be canned, bottled, or packaged in pouches for retail sales. Some canning partners offer nitro infusion – where a drop of liquid nitrogen is added prior to can sealing – for a cascade effect in a can. 

By leveraging nitro cold brew coffee machines, you can expect a quick return on investment and the ability to diversify and stratify your product offering on a whole new scale. 

To learn more about our Hardtank nitro cold brew coffee machines, visit our website or get in touch with us directly. 

If you missed our recent Customised RTD Masterclass, you can catch up on a recording here. 

Nitro cold brew coffee machines