Cold brew coffee is a popular choice for its smooth and refreshing taste. But what if we could enhance it by adding fruits? This article explores the creative process of combining fruits with cold brew coffee, offering a unique twist on a classic beverage.

It covers the preparation, tasting experience, and tips for making the perfect fruity cold brew.

Experiment Concept

Cold brew coffee typically offers limited room for flavor manipulation due to its low-temperature and slow-steeping process. However, one afternoon, inspired by the idea of fruit teas, the author decided to experiment with adding fruits to cold brew coffee. The goal was to create a balanced flavor profile where neither the coffee nor the fruit dominated.

Preparation

To ensure a harmonious blend of flavors, specific fruits were paired with particular coffee beans. The combinations were as follows:

- 10 grams of blueberries with Kenyan AA washed coffee beans (flavors: cherry tomato, plum, berry)

- 20 grams of grapes with Ethiopian Sidamo sun-dried coffee beans (flavors: pink floral, berry, fruit sugar)

- 2 slices of lemon with Colombian Orange Soda coffee beans (flavors: orange juice, dried tangerine peel, citrus)

- 20 grams of peach with Costa Rican Strawberry Sugar coffee beans (flavors: strawberry jam, raisin, rose)

The cold brew parameters were set as follows:

- Coffee beans: 20 grams

- Water ratio: 1:10 (200 ml of room temperature water)

- Grind size: Fine (similar to granulated sugar, EK43s grinder setting at 9.5)

- Steeping time: 12 hours (followed by 2 hours of refrigeration after filtering)

- Extraction method: Fruits were crushed or sliced and mixed directly with the coffee grounds for steeping.

Tasting Experience

Each combination yielded distinct and delightful results:

- Kenya + Blueberries: A subtle blueberry aroma with a complex flavor profile starting with the coffee's plum and dark berry notes, followed by the blueberry's natural sweetness and a caramel finish. The cold brew was smooth and refreshing, perfect for summer.

- Sun-dried Sidamo + Grapes: This blend had a clear grape juice flavor with the unique fermentation aroma of sun-dried coffee. It was light, juicy, and sweet, with a lingering hawthorn and black tea finish, making it the most memorable of the four.

- Orange Soda + Lemon: The fresh lemon scent was strong, but the taste was less successful. It had a bitter citrus peel and green tea flavor, leaving an unpleasant astringent aftertaste.

- Strawberry Sugar + Peach: The peach was sliced rather than crushed, resulting in a less pronounced peach aroma. However, the flavor was rich with apricot, ripe strawberry, and a hint of fermentation, making it sweeter and fruitier than the regular strawberry sugar cold brew.

This experiment showed that combining fresh fruits with coffee can create a delightful and refreshing cold brew. The key is selecting the right fruits and preparing them properly to release their flavors. Suitable fruits include berries, stone fruits, and tropical fruits. With careful pairing and preparation, anyone can enjoy a fruity and flavorful cold brew coffee.

For those looking to try this at home, here are some additional tips. When choosing fruits, consider their natural sweetness and acidity. Berries like blueberries and grapes are excellent choices due to their balanced sweetness and tartness. Stone fruits like peaches and cherries add a rich, juicy flavor, while tropical fruits like pineapple and mango can bring a tropical twist.

Experiment with different coffee beans to find the perfect match for your chosen fruit. For example, a light roast might pair well with delicate fruits, while a dark roast could complement bolder flavors. Don't be afraid to adjust the steeping time and water ratio to suit your taste preferences. Happy brewing!