Barrel-Aged Coffee — The Coffee You Must Try |
Posted: July 4, 2022 |
Over the years, numerous coffee trends were discovered and incorporated into the industry; keeping the coffee industry vibrant and current, which can be challenging in our fast-paced society. But then, a newer trend in the coffee market is being tried by a lot of people, which seems to be gaining favor swiftly — barrel-aged coffee. Although it might sound strange, barrel-aged coffee is revolutionizing the flavored coffee industry. Since many coffee businesses rely on artificial flavor or sweet syrups, the sub-niche of flavored coffee has been lacking in creativity. Contrary to those choices, barrel-aged coffee gives the term "flavored coffee" a completely new meaning. Barrel-aged coffee, as the name implies, refers to a kind of coffee that has been matured within a barrel, which is meant to age alcoholic beverages. The coffee is actually flavored organically in this case because there are no syrups, artificial flavorings, or extracts used, unlike flavored coffee. This stands in stark contrast to even the healthiest flavored coffee manufactured with organic flavoring because it indicates the coffee has not had any additives or chemicals added to enhance the flavor. Similar to Alcoholic BeveragesThe process used to produce barrel-aged coffee is similar to what has been done to age alcoholic beverages; in barrels, usually oak barrels. This idea has actually been around for a very long time. However, the concept of barrel aging coffee is rather more recent; the first online references to a coffee roaster trying it date back to approximately five years ago. Since the first few barrel-aged coffees came from the US, bourbon whiskey barrels were most frequently employed. Soon enough, other roasters began experimenting with barrels that had previously held wine, gin, and rum in an effort to develop their own barrel-aged coffees. It takes more than just throwing some leftover coffee beans into a barrel to age coffee in a barrel. Green beans, or unroasted coffee beans, are used by a coffee roaster, who will then choose which barrel to place them in. Since there would not be any remaining spirit in the barrel, the coffee would not be submerged in alcohol. After the barrel is full and sealed, the coffee is allowed to age for a few weeks or even longer, resulting in a coffee that is much different from what it was before it was put in. After aging, the coffee can be roasted, but not before the roaster tastes it to make sure everything is in order before being sold. Understanding Barrel-Aged CoffeeThis is a new coffee trend that is steadily gaining popularity at the moment and is definitely a nice coffee trend for you to try. This being said, it is important to have a grasp on how it is made, the types of coffee that age best in barrels, the best way to brew using barrel-aged coffee beans, and whether the coffee produced in this process tastes like alcohol. These are just some of the things you have to know, especially if you plan to try this type of coffee. How is Barrel-Aged Coffee Made?In making barrel-aged coffee, you only need to perform simple steps. But patience and time are needed for the right flavors to develop. Green coffee beans are placed in barrels used to age whiskey and allowed to mature. The green coffee beans acquire its aromas and the aromas of the alcohol because the barrels still have them. This results in a distinctive flavor profile. The beans are then roasted and prepared for usage after the maturing process. A naturally spiced cup of coffee with overtones from the alcohol barrel is the end product. Because each maturing barrel will have a distinct aroma that the coffee will absorb, the flavors can vary greatly and will not always taste the same. A significant amount of natural flavors have soaked into the wood of old oak barrels used for many years to mature alcoholic beverages like whisky and rum. This flavor is then absorbed by the coffee when the beans are aged in these barrels. It is not just any coffee, though. Green coffee beans are used which have not yet been roasted. At this point in the life of the coffee beans, they take up a lot of the tastes around them. It eventually permeate the roasting process and ultimately your cup. After these, they are left in the barrels for two to three weeks. Some roasters like to age the coffee in barrels for a longer period of time, which results in flavors that are strong and borderline overwhelming. There are some coffee beans that have aged in barrels that were only lightly roasted, likea blond roast. When you do this, the coffee bean will retain even more flavor. If you have been drinking coffee for a time, you might even be able to tell where it came from. Which Types of Coffee Age Well in Barrels?There are a few exceptions to the general rule that not all coffee beans are suitable for aging in barrels. Also, most roasters prefer to source coffee that is robust in body and low in acidity. The semi-dry processed Sumatra coffee beans and other low acid Indonesian coffees, for instance, make ideal candidates for barrel maturation. Sumatra coffee can develop a deep, rich, spicy, and peppery flavor as it ages inside the barrels. Also, Latin American coffees age and mellow beautifully in barrels due to their strong acidity from wet processing. Do not even forget, though, that the type of barrel used will certainly affect how flavorful the coffee added will be as well. For instance, coffee usually tastes nuttier and earthier when it is aged in barrels that were last used to age whisky. A Bourbon barrel will provide a somewhat sweeter and more vanilla-flavored flavor to the coffee. Coffee will receive sweet, spiciness, and a hint of caramel flavors if they are aged from rum wooden kegs. Additionally, coffee brewed in old wine barrels will have the same earthy qualities as the red wine in which it was aged. Best Way to Brew Using Barrel-Aged Coffee BeansBarrel-aged coffee beans can be prepared in the same manner as any other kind of coffee. There is actually no right or wrong way to do it. The greatest method for bringing out all of the characteristics the coffee has gathered and absorbed. Given that it has aged is to use barrel-aged coffee beans in cold brew. Is There Alcohol in Barrel-Aged Coffee?Barrel-aged coffee does not actually contain alcohol in the coffee beans, if you are hoping to get buzzed. Although you will taste various flavors and the flavor will be absolutely distinct from other flavored coffee. But it still would not make you intoxicated. It is crucial to distinguish barrel-aged coffee from alcoholic drinks that include alcohol. It is because the latter will definitely make you feel really tipsy. Barrel-aged coffee cocktail infusions work well. So leave it to the mixologist to add a little alcohol to barrel-aged coffee with an infused drink. If that is what you are looking for. The tastes and taste of the alcohol that was initially kept inside the barrels are actually infused into the coffee during the aging process. The flavor profile will be totally distinct from other types of flavored coffee. Also, it is a hundred percent natural. Key TakeawayIt is challenging to stay on top of the most recent coffee trends, as there are plenty of them that come and go. However, barrel-aged coffee is a trend that will continue for some time to come. The market for both plain and flavored coffee is being upended by the most recent coffee trend. For coffee lovers everywhere, barrel-aged coffee is an excellent substitute for artificial flavors. It even adds some spice to that first cup of coffee in the morning. Give this type of coffee a try; either a regular brew or perhaps even on the rocks and sipped like a cocktail. Especially if you are looking for a little adventure in your cup.
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