In this article, you’ll learn:
- How Hardtank equipment improves the efficiency and quality of ready to drink cold brew
- Why this is important for coffee businesses
- How the equipment can prepare you for incoming consumer trends
For coffee shops and hospitality businesses, cold brew has often been associated with significant pain points. In the past, it was hard to prepare large quantities of cold brew efficiently due to the 24-hour steeping time required to extract its flavour. Storage has also been an issue, because cold brew’s lower temperature makes it more susceptible to microbial activity and food safety concerns.
Fortunately, technological advancements mean it’s more efficient than ever to produce high-quality cold brew suitable for fresh service or RTD drinks. A new peer-reviewed study from Frontiers in Chemistry confirms that Hardtank produces ready to drink cold brew rich in caffeine and antioxidants in much less time than standard methods.
This marks a turning point in how coffee businesses can prepare ready to drink cold brew to scale, broadening the horizons of brewing technology. In this article, we’ll dig deeper into the study to see why it’s so valuable for your business to use Hardtank technology.
What does the study show?
The key takeaway from the new Frontiers in Chemistry study is that Hardtank systems produce ready to drink cold brew that has a similar or higher level of antioxidants than standard extraction methods. They also do so in much less time and don’t require organic solvents like methanol, making them ideal for high yields and large-scale production. This makes the method cleaner, safer, and more compliant with food safety regulations, especially for RTD manufacturing.
The study was conducted by the Polish Department of Analysis and Evaluation of Food Quality, alongside the Departments of Tourism and Recreation and Pharmacognosy with Medicinal Plants. It compared nitro cold brew made from using a Hardtank system with the same coffee made from hot water infusion and methanol extraction.
After preparing all three samples, they measured the caffeine levels and other metrics. This included the level of chlorogenic acid – an antioxidant that can reduce the risk of cardiovascular disease and is used to measure coffee’s chemical quality.
When comparing the samples, using the methanol extraction sample as a reference, the cold brew prepared using Hardtank had significantly higher caffeine and chlorogenic acid levels. In particular, the Hardtank sample had a caffeine level of 72.4 mg caffeine / 100 mL, more than 19% higher than the methanol sample. Similarly, its chlorogenic acid level was 78.2 mg / 100 mL, representing an increase of 72%. For cafés and RTD companies, this means offering a cold brew that tastes richer, performs better on nutrition labels, and appeals to consumers seeking high-functionality beverages.
Therefore, the study proves that ready to drink cold brew made using Hardtank equipment has not only higher levels of caffeine and antioxidants, but does so without needing organic solvents. Instead, it’s the machinery that makes the difference.
The advantages of Hardtank ready to drink cold brew over traditional methods
According to the study, the Hardtank’s speed, efficiency, and scalability are the key reasons making it more effective than traditional methods. “It offers industrial scalability while maintaining a bioactive and antioxidant profile equal to or better than intensive laboratory extractions,” it says.
A major part of this is Hardtank’s patented accelerated cold extraction technology. The system uses an innovative method where coffee grounds are constantly agitated within the filter basket by pumping water through it, which increases the rate of extraction. It’s much more efficient than traditional cold brew production, meaning you can produce a batch of ready to drink cold brew in less than an hour. As the study shows, though, it does so without compromising on caffeine and antioxidant levels.
This efficiency and scale mean Hardtank is suitable for a range of business requirements and consumer touchpoints. For instance, specialty coffee shops can use the Baby Hardtank model for consistent, fresh service, producing up to 300 portions a day. For larger chains, the Hardtank 20 model serves up to 1,250 portions, making it ideal for high-volume or industrial production.
Crucially, the study shows that Hardtank systems achieve this speed and efficiency without compromising on quality. The higher caffeine content of Hardtank’s cold brew, for instance, gives customers the energy boost they want from coffee. Antioxidants also offer a range of reported health benefits, from improved cardiovascular health to reducing the risk of skin cancer.
Therefore, Hardtank systems aren’t just ideal for streamlining your ready to drink cold brew production, but also for offering health benefits to customers.
What does this mean for the future of ready to drink cold brew production?
The study concludes that the future of ready to drink cold brew production is geared towards automatic methods. Manual practices, where you leave it to steep for up to 24 hours, are both less efficient and also produce lower-quality cold brew.
This means that for coffee businesses of all sizes, investing in cold brew equipment is incredibly important. It’ll help you deliver the level of quality your customers expect while also speeding up your production, so you can serve more cold brew in a day.
For RTD producers, higher antioxidant stability and faster extraction are crucial. Faster brewing cycles reduce production bottlenecks, while higher bioactive content helps RTD formulas retain flavour and functionality without additives.
The same goes for RTD companies as well – with an industrial-scale Hardtank machine at your facility, you can prepare cold brew and efficiently can it ready for retail distribution. Hardtank’s own private label services also help businesses meet these expectations without requiring extensive formulation and manufacturing space.
The study’s findings also align with ongoing consumer demands for drinks that are low in additives and sugar and have tangible health benefits. The rise of functional beverages has been a major trend in recent years, particularly among younger consumers. In terms of coffee, they value the higher antioxidant content, which Hardtank delivers in abundance.
By incorporating this equipment at your coffee shop or wholesale manufacturing facility, you can improve your own processes and also address major consumer demands.
Therefore, the study proves that technology is the future of ready to drink cold brew production. No matter your use case, it’s ideal for preparing cold brew that is richer in caffeine and antioxidants, delivering quality to your customers.
Ready to drink cold brew from Hardtank: Key takeaways
- A peer-reviewed study shows Hardtank’s ready to drink cold brew contains more chlorogenic acids and caffeine than other extraction methods.
- The extraction time is also much faster, producing a batch of cold brew in under one hour.
- These findings show the value of cold brew machines that guarantee quality and align with consumer demands for healthier drinks.
Ready to invest in your own cold brew equipment? Browse our equipment range here or speak with a member of the Hardtank team to learn more.
Hardtank equipment FAQ
Is Hardtank cold brew higher in quality than other extraction methods?
Yes, as the study from Frontiers in Chemistry shows, Hardtank’s cold brew has 19% more caffeine and 72% more chlorogenic acids than methanol-extracted samples.
Is Hardtank safe for large-scale production?
Yes. Hardtank systems have automatic cleaning programmes and are made from food-safe stainless steel to align with safety and hygiene standards.
Who can benefit from using Hardtank?
All coffee businesses can see benefits, including coffee shops, cafés, and chains, for fresh service. Also, RTD manufacturers and roasters starting their own RTD cold brew line can benefit from the scalability and efficiency.
