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  • Pour Over vs. Immersion Brewing: What Is The Difference?

    Pour Over vs. Immersion Brewing: What Is The Difference?

    If you have been a coffee drinker for a long time now, you probably began your coffee journey with a simple percolator. However, if you are a budding coffee connoisseur, it is about time that you consider graduating into a manual brewing process, which enables you to have more control over the variables that can change or affect your coffee’s flavour.

    When it comes to coffee brewing, two processes often stand out: pour over and immersion. People who brew coffee at home commonly use these brewing methods to make their coffee. To know how these processes are distinct from each other, this article explores the main differences between pour over and immersion coffee brewing.

    What is pour over brewing?

    Pour over brewing is among the most popular methods of manual coffee brewing. As its name suggests, this method involves simply pouring water through the coffee grounds and a filter. It lets the grounds sit in the water for a specific amount of time before filtering them out. 

    Compared to immersion brewing, pour over brewing is usually completed faster, as it involves continuously introducing new and freshwater to the coffee grounds, which hastens the brewing process. However, in some instances, the continuous introduction of water can also extract too much flavour from the grounds too rapidly. This results in a decreased quality of the coffee. To avoid this, pour brewing should be done properly.

    How to make a pour over coffee?

    To make a pour over coffee, you will need various tools, such as a kettle, thermometer, burr grinder, and gram scale (optional). Light roast or medium roast coffee beans are ideal for pour over brewing, as the process makes their flavours genuinely shine. In terms of grinding, it is best to have the size of your coffee grounds relatively coarse.

    The first step to brewing a pour over coffee is to wet the grounds by placing them in the filter and pouring just enough water to soak them without allowing the water to run through into the basin underneath. Let the wet coffee grounds sit for around 30 seconds to enable them to release all the carbon dioxide trapped inside. Otherwise, the water will not be able to completely penetrate the grounds, resulting in a weak or watery coffee.

    After you are done wetting the coffee grounds and letting them sit for 30 seconds, you should continue pouring hot water over the filter. Your pace depends on your coffee beans’ roast level. If you are using light or medium roast beans, the total brewing time should be 3 to 4 minutes. On the other hand, for darker roast beans, 90 seconds to 3 minutes of total brewing time is recommended.

    What is immersion brewing?

    Immersion brewing is another popular method for brewing coffee manually. As its name suggests, immersion brewing is done by immersing coffee grounds with water. You can use various coffee devices, such as an Aeropress, a Clever Dripper, and a French Press. 

    What is great about this method of manual coffee brewing is that it allows you to have control over several variables, such as the size of the coffee grounds, the water’s temperature, and the amount of time that the water and the coffee grounds interact. Once you are ready with everything, you have to pour the mixture through a filter, and you will already have a flavourful cup of immersion brewed coffee.

    How to make an immersion brewed coffee?

    As mentioned earlier, there are a lot of different tools you can use to make an immersion brewed coffee, but the most common device many people use is the French Press. To use a French Press, you need to heat some water and prepare the coffee grounds.

    Put the coffee grounds in the cylinder, pour the water in, and press the plunger down until all the grounds are submerged. Wait for around 4 minutes before pressing the plunger all the way down. After the time is over, pour the coffee into a cup, and enjoy!

    Aside from a hot cup of coffee, you can also make a cold brew coffee using a French Press. The process of creating an immersion brewed cold coffee is relatively straightforward. All you have to do is immerse the coarse coffee grounds in cold water, cover the brewing vessel, place it in the fridge or on the counter, wait for about 12 to 15 hours, and strain. Because it is relatively easy to make, the popularity of cold brew coffee in Singapore is not surprising at all. 

     

    Conclusion

    Manual brewing methods, such as pour over and immersion brewing, are an excellent way to develop your inner coffee connoisseur. They allow you to experiment with various water temperatures, ground sizes, and water-to-coffee ratios. By knowing the difference between pour over and immersion brewing methods, you can now find the formula for your perfect cup (or bottle) of coffee more easily!

    If you do not have time to brew your own coffee, you do not have to worry because there are plenty of cold brew coffee delivery services. But for the best and most flavourful cold brew coffee, Wake The Crew is the brand you should choose! With years of experimentation, we have developed and perfected a cold brewing method that will surely bring out the healthiest components and tastiest flavours of your coffee! Avail our cold brew delivery in Singapore now to taste the best cold brew in town.

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  • 5 Interesting Facts You Need To Know About Cold Brew Coffee

    5 Interesting Facts You Need To Know About Cold Brew Coffee

    Whether you're a casual coffee drinker or a big fan of coffee, it's time you discover the wonders that cold brew coffee holds. Cold brew coffee has been around for quite some time now, but it has only become popular in Singapore and other countries as of late. As more and more people come to like the unique flavour of cold brew, it's only a matter of time before they get interested in the drink and learn more about its facts and benefits. With the rise in popularity of cold brew, research related to the beverage has also increased, and their findings are what we'll be sharing with you here. So, without further ado, let's dive into the intriguing facts about cold brew coffee that you may haven't heard of before!

    1. It can boost body metabolism

    People with a high metabolism burn more calories during physical activity and even at rest. Thus, they need to increase their calorie count to maintain their weight. If you're interested in improving your metabolism, whether to slim down or for other reasons, many foods and beverages are proven to increase body metabolism. Caffeine is one of them. One study found out that caffeine helps raise metabolism levels by 11%, which means the more coffee you drink over time, the greater the chances of slowly increasing your metabolism. Moreover, since cold brew coffee contains more caffeine than any other type of coffee, as we'll discuss more later, it's a great reason to get more cold brew in your system.

    2. It may lower the risk of developing Type 2 diabetes

    Diabetes is categorised into two types: Type 1 and Type 2 diabetes. The latter occurs when your blood sugar levels get too high, leading to health conditions. Studies suggest that drinking four to six cups of coffee per day may help reduce your risk of developing Type 2 diabetes since coffee contains antioxidants called chlorogenic acids. In addition, cold brew coffee helps regulate gut peptides, whose function is to slow and control digestion and stabilise blood sugar. 

    3. It could reduce the risk of Alzheimer's disease

    Alzheimer's disease leads to the death of many brain cells, which causes memory loss. Studies have found that coffees like cold brew coffee contain certain elements that combat the risk of Alzheimer's and others like it. The beverage mainly stimulates the nervous system via caffeine, positively impacting brain function.

    4. It tastes sweeter than hot brewed coffee

    Do you prefer your coffee to be on the sweeter side but are not a fan of adding sugar? Cold brew coffee may be what you're looking for. Unlike traditional hot coffee, cold brew coffee comes with a sweeter taste due to its lower acidity levels. Since the coffee is brewed cold, the oils responsible for the acidity are softened, resulting in the flavour becoming stronger yet tasting sweeter. Moreover, it brings out many of the coffee beans' unique characteristics and flavour profiles. This presents various blends you can try out, all with distinct tastes.

    5. It contains more caffeine than other coffees 

    Due to the prolonged steeping process in making cold brew coffee contains a higher amount of caffeine than other coffees, mainly due to its higher coffee-to-water ratio. However, keep in mind that this primarily applies to the cold brew concentrate, which is far too strong for direct consumption. Cold brew coffee is generally enjoyed by weakening this concentrate by mixing it with other liquid additives like water, cream, or milk.

     

    Conclusion 

    Coffee comes in many types and flavours, with cold brew coffee being only one of many ways to enjoy the beverage. Regardless if you've been a long-time fan of cold brew or just starting to enjoy it, we hope you've enjoyed learning more about the wonders of cold brew coffee. 

    Interested in getting your fix of delicious cold brew without the hassle? Check out our ready-to-drink cold brew coffee in Singapore today! At Wake The Crew, you can shop for your favourite cold brew coffee concentrates and even sign up for a subscription so you'll never run out of stock! All our offerings are made-to-order and freshly made from our SFA-approved microbrewery to guarantee that you're not missing out on any of the flavoury goodness you've been craving. With our cold brew coffee delivery in Singapore, getting your cold brew fix has never been easier! Don't hesitate to contact us today to learn more about our coffee, wholesale options, and other details!

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  • 5 Coffee Myths You Should Stop Believing Right Away

    5 Coffee Myths You Should Stop Believing Right Away

    Next to water and soda, coffee is the third most popular type of drink globally. This is not surprising considering that coffee is usually rich in aroma and has many health benefits. No matter what time of the day it is, a cup of hot coffee or a bottle of cold brew coffee in Singapore is never a bad idea.

    However, sometimes, it can be challenging to enjoy your morning or afternoon coffee when there are so many misconceptions about what is in your cup. These misconceptions can discourage you from drinking this beverage or prevent you from enjoying its full benefits. To help you identify true and false information about coffee, this article explores 5 of the most common coffee myths and their truths.

    Myth #1: Coffee causes dehydration

    Many people refuse to drink coffee because they believe it causes them to become dehydrated. However, although coffee has a light diuretic effect, it is often negligible and offset by the amount of water in the coffee. Indeed, if you look at your cup of coffee, you will likely notice a watery consistency. The volume of water in a cup or bottle makes up for caffeine’s dehydrating effects.

    Myth #2: Caffeine is very addictive

    Although there is a little bit of truth to this one, it is not as bad as many people believe or claim. One of the effects of caffeine is to stimulate the central nervous system. This results in a very slight dependence, but the withdrawal effects only last around two days. Hence, the withdrawal effects of caffeine are a far cry from those of highly addictive substances like nicotine, alcohol, and drugs. 

    Myth #3: Coffee aids weight loss

    This is a common myth floating around gyms and Zumba classes that coffee is an effective aid in losing weight. However, science says this is not exactly so. While caffeine’s stimulating effects can slightly boost your metabolism, it is not enough to make a difference in your diet, especially in terms of long-term weight loss. Caffeine may decrease your appetite for a brief time, but there is not enough evidence to prove that long-term consumption allows you to lose weight.

    Myth #4: Darker roast means stronger coffee

    If you are trying to stay awake for an exam or your work deliverables, choosing dark roast coffee beans over light roast ones will not always provide you with the strong coffee you need. This is because the darkness or lightness of the roast is not indicative of the coffee’s strength.

    Many studies show that caffeine is about the same in light and dark roast beans, as long as the coffee is measured by weight instead of volume. On the other hand, if a dark roast coffee were measured by volume, it would contain fewer beans because of their large size and result in less caffeine per cup than a light roast coffee measured in the same way.

    Myth #5: Coffee is bad for the health

    Another major misconception surrounding coffee consumption is that drinking coffee is bad for the health and may cause some illnesses. However, much evidence from places like Harvard shows that coffee is good if taken in moderation.

    Taking a moderate amount of caffeine daily is not going to hurt you. It can provide you with some health benefits, such as boosting your energy and concentration, relieving your migraine headaches, and even reducing your risk of cardiovascular disease. According to studies, you can safely consume up to 300 milligrams of coffee or three cups every day.

     

    Conclusion

    Knowing the different common misconceptions about coffee and the truths behind them is essential, as it allows you to enjoy the full benefits of this all-time favourite drink. By learning more facts about coffee, you can now enjoy your morning cup of Americano or afternoon cold brew bottle with peace of mind. 

    At Wake The Crew, our coffee concentrates are low in acidity and rich in sweetness and natural flavours, making it a perfect beverage to drink any time of the day. We also offer cold brew delivery in Singapore, wholesale options, and more! Contact us today to get your caffeine fix!

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  • 4 Great Cold Brew Coffee Pairings You Should Definitely Try

    4 Great Cold Brew Coffee Pairings You Should Definitely Try

    The popularity of cold brew coffee in Singapore is on the rise, with many office workers and young people getting into the trend. Aside from waking you up in the morning and keeping you going as the day drags on, drinking cold brew coffee comes with various benefits, such as boosting your metabolism and improving your mental performance.

    If you have been a long-time drinker of cold brew coffee, perhaps it is time to level up how you drink your coffee. You can do this by pairing your bottle of flavourful cold brew with some tasty additions or snacks. Read on to find out the best cold brew coffee pairings you should definitely try.

    1. Cinnamon

    Cinnamon can provide an additional kick to your cold brew's caffeine. With its strong and rich taste, cinnamon can add a flavourful kick and a new dimension of aroma to your coffee. Aside from this, cinnamon is an excellent cold brew addition due to its several health benefits. For one, it has antibacterial, antifungal, and antiviral properties as well as antioxidants and anti-inflammatory effects.

    If you have a runny rose or some breathing problems, adding cinnamon extract powder or cinnamon barks to your coffee is highly recommended. It has the extra benefit of opening up your sinuses and passageways, thereby allowing you to breathe and energise more easily. You can also taste your cold brew coffee better with cleared nasal passages!

    2. Honey and Milk

    Some people prefer their coffee to taste sweet but do not like the health risks of consuming too much sugar. If you belong to this group of coffee enthusiasts, then the combination of honey and milk is the perfect addition to your cold brew coffee!

    Drinking cold brew coffee with honey and milk is an excellent way to consume a sweet and tasty coffee that does not contain any bad sugar. It can even further speed up your metabolism, relieve your digestive problems, and improve your cholesterol. Moreover, due to their brilliant flavours, the powerful combination of honey and milk may have you drinking more cold brew coffee than usual.

    3. Baked Goods

    Baked goods are the classic partner of a cup of hot coffee in the morning. However, did you know that baked goods also taste excellent when paired with a bottle of cold brew coffee? The best baked goods to pair with cold brew coffee include brioche, shortbread, bagel, and blueberry muffins.

    4. Grilled Cheese

    Grilled cheese flies under the radar when it comes to being a great coffee pairing. Although it is not as classic as baked goods, it is still one of the best choices for pairing with coffee. A crispy toasted bread sandwiching a drippy melted cheese goes brilliantly with a strong bottle of cold brew coffee. The buttery, salty, and sharp taste of a grilled cheese sandwich perfectly matches cold brew's smooth, sweet, and rich flavour.

     

    Conclusion

    Although cold brew coffee already tastes excellent on its own, it will even taste a lot better if you consume it with some additions like cinnamon, honey, and milk, or alongside delicious snacks like baked goods and grilled cheese. Sometimes, all it takes is a little imagination to improve how you drink your everyday bottle of cold brew. Try the cold brew coffee pairings shared in this article; you will surely love drinking cold brew coffee even more!

    At Wake The Crew, we offer cold brew coffee delivery in Singapore for our coffee concentrates and ready-to-drink cold brew beverages that will satisfy your taste buds and give you the boost you need for the day. With its savoury aroma, our cold brew coffee can be perfectly paired with different kinds of additions and food. 

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