Cold beer in the blink of an eye: Scientists have come up with a healthy solution. For coffee lovers, cold brew is a great summer treat (or...
Cold beer in the blink of an eye: Scientists have come up with a healthy solution.
For coffee lovers, cold brew is a great summer treat (or any time). It's smooth, less acidic and full-bodied, making it a refreshing alternative to traditional hot coffee. But there is one problem: the brewing process. Brewing cold brew for more than a day is a test of patience for those who want a quick caffeine hit.
Join a team of outstanding researchers at the University of New South Wales (UNSW) in Sydney, Australia. They developed a method using sound waves to reduce brewing time from 24 hours to just 3 minutes. This is a groundbreaking revolution in the world of cold brew.
Powerful Brewing: The Science of Sonic Cold Brew
Secret ingredient?
Ultrasonic wave. The researchers use an ultrasonic reactor, a device that produces high-frequency sound waves that are inaudible to the human ear. These sound waves impact the coffee grounds in a process called acoustic cavitation. Imagine microscopic bubbles forming and collapsing rapidly in water. These intense vibrations break down the cell walls of the coffee grounds, accelerating the release of aromatics and caffeine.
Finding the Golden Rule: Balance Speed and Taste
The researchers experimented with different sonication times (the period of exposure to the sound waves). The 1-minute process produces coffee similar to 24-hour cold brew, but with a weaker flavor. After 3 minutes the aroma came back but with a bit of added bitterness. This is a sign of over-extraction. The ideal extraction time appears to be medium, which allows for optimal flavor extraction without sacrificing flavor.
Beyond the Lab: The Future of Sonic Cold Brew
The UNSW team is working to improve the technology so it can be integrated with existing coffee machines. This will make technology more accessible in cafes and coffee shops. Imagine ordering a cold brew with your morning latte and having them both ready in minutes!
This innovative approach could shake up the cold beer market. Long steep brewing may have an artisanal appeal, but the convenience and speed of sonic brewing can be a game-changer. After all, who wouldn't want a delicious, cold drink without the wait?
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