Blog / Cold Brew

  • Brewing Coffee & The Key Factors To Consider For Your Water

    Brewing Coffee & The Key Factors To Consider For Your Water

    Apart from the coffee beans and brewing process, the water quality can also make the difference between a mediocre batch of coffee and a great tasting one. This often overlooked factor for good-tasting coffee takes the spotlight in this blog post, as we outline why using high-quality water is paramount if you want your cold brew coffee (and any other kind of coffee, for that matter) to turn out delectable.  

    As you may recall, coffee only requires two ingredients: coffee beans and water. Those passionate about their cup of joe will be careful in their selection of coffee beans, assessing their quality, origin, and whether they are organic. While all that is undoubtedly critical to brewing great coffee, the fact is that brewed coffee is still around 98% water, despite its strong and intense flavour. In short, the water quality ensures you extract just the right amount of flavour every time. Below, we outline the four key factors to keep in mind regarding the water you brew your coffee with. 

    1. The water must be 100% pure

    As mentioned, coffee mainly consists of water, hence the need to be conscious about your water. It should have no discernable taste and must not be distilled entirely. Despite being safe, tap water should not be used if possible as it may seriously affect the taste of your brew. Clear water should also be scrutinised even with its appearance as it could contain unwanted minerals—chlorine, magnesium, calcium, fluoride, etc.—that can also change the flavour of the coffee. 

    Ideally, use natural spring water as its mineral contents have properties that enable proper extraction during the brewing process.

    2. Brew temperature is important

    Most automatic drip coffee equipment does not heat up enough, sending slightly cool water through the coffee grinds and typically results in a pot with a slightly sour taste. Nothing can be done to fix the issue except to invest in an SCAA-approved automatic drip pot or a manual coffee maker.

    Opting for a stove-top kettle when heating your water for any manual brewing process is recommended. When the kettle starts to whistle, turn off the heat and let it sit for a minute. Doing so enables the water to reach 93-96°C, the ideal temperature for brewing coffee.

    3. Water affects brewing equipment

    The water used in making your favourite cold brew coffee in Singapore and other coffees affects the brewing equipment's longevity and the elbow grease needed to maintain and clean them. Water that is not pure and contains additional minerals, such as tap water, may lead to residue build-up inside brewers, kettles, and the inside of countertop espresso machines. Hence, soft water (slightly slimy with fewer minerals) or hard water (more residue and minerals) will make cleaning more difficult. 

    4. Hot water is not just for brewing 

    When waiting for the coffee to brew, pour some hot water into a cup and let it sit until it is finished. The result is a cup that stays warmer much longer. When using a manual brewing process (Pour over, French press, Chemex), do the same before adding the grinds. Pre-heating the vessel will maintain the coffee's temperature throughout the brewing, enabling proper extraction.

     

    Conclusion

    When brewing coffee, water is the unsung hero that gets you the perfect cup to start your mornings right. Hopefully, with the tips we've shared, you can improve your brewing process and, ultimately, the flavour of your favourite coffee.

    Besides using good quality ingredients, improving your home brew recipe also entails trying out other types of coffee and expanding your taste palate. In that case, why not give our cold brew coffee a try here at Wake The Crew? We offer cold brew delivery in Singapore that gets you the best-tasting cold brew coffee on the island born from our passion and years of experimentation to bring out the full flavour of our concentrates. Don't hesitate to contact us today to learn more about our products, subscription plans, and other services!

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  • Pour-Over Brewing: Tips On Perfecting Your Technique

    Pour-Over Brewing: Tips On Perfecting Your Technique

    Pour-over is one of the popular manual brewing techniques that allows coffee lovers more control over making their coffee to achieve the flavour they want. Whether you are already a V60 expert or a first-time Bee House brewer, a handful of tips can help you brew your best coffee. Beyond that, always use fresh grounds, adjust your proportions, and grind to your tastes. Let's get into the brass tacks of perfecting your pour-over without further ado.

     1. Rinse and repeat

    Put the filter in the brewer and rinse with hot water before brewing. This removes the paper residue (responsible for the woodsy taste), seals the filter, and heats the brewer. Warming everything first helps keep the brewing temperature stable.

     2. Grind it right

    When it comes to the grind, you must consider three main elements: how, when, and what size. Making the right grind before brewing matters because fresh coffee starts to oxidize and age faster upon grinding. Grinding coffee at the correct setting is also essential – the grind particles' size influences extraction, so getting this part dialled in for your method is crucial.

    If you do not have a good grinder yet (or are having difficulty dialling in your grind properly), consider asking your local speciality coffee shop to grind it for your method. Otherwise, use this ground coffee in calibrating your grinder to match. To make it easier to compare particle size, put ground coffee on a white piece of paper first.

    Lastly, burr grinders are better than blade grinders when it comes to the type of grinder. This is because the latter chops the beans into irregular-sized pieces, which leads to uneven extraction.

    3. Perfect your pour 

    The bloom pour, also known as the initial pour, saturates all the grounds and will later help with an even extraction. Pour double the amount of water into the coffee and gently stir for about 30-45 seconds, avoiding the light spots and going for the dark ones instead. Keep things even by stirring in slow and steady spirals. Using a gooseneck kettle for this part largely helps with precision.

    4. Only use high-quality water

    Remember never to use water you would not drink when brewing your coffee. Clean water means clean coffee and no foreign contaminants that could affect the coffee's taste. Ideally, the water should be at 205°F or around 30 seconds off the boil.

     

    Conclusion

    Manually brewing coffee using pour-over and immersion brewing is ideal for making coffee the way you want it, as you are free to make adjustments. For instance, does your coffee taste slightly sour or weak to your preferences? Too bitter? Do the opposite and make it coarser. Adjust your grind to make finer coffee grounds. Hopefully, with these tips above, you can improve your pour-over technique and make better-tasting coffee at home.

    If your busy schedule keeps you from making your cold brew, worry not, as cold brew coffee delivery in Singapore is here to save the day. Our years of experience and experimentation here at Wake The Crew have led us to perfect our signature cold brewing method that guarantees you the tastiest and healthiest cold brew coffee in Singapore! Contact us today to order the best cold brew coffee or try out our subscription plans for a steady supply of cold brew, exclusive discounts, gifts, and more!

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  • Baking And Cooking With Coffee: 4 Recipes You Need To Try

    Baking And Cooking With Coffee: 4 Recipes You Need To Try

    You got that right. Coffee, including cold brew coffee, can be used to make mouth-watering recipes at home and share with your loved ones. From cakes to steaks, you can add coffee to elevate the taste of your favourite homemade dishes. 

    If you love a cup of coffee, you will definitely enjoy devouring dishes that are made more delectable with a bit of caffeine in them. 

    Check out these gastronomic recipes infused with cold brew coffee in Singapore and try them at home. 

    1. Coffee and brown sugar-marinated bacon

    Coffee and bacon are staples for a delicious breakfast. But have you tried coffee-flavoured bacon? Now, you can by marinating your bacon in cold brew and some brown sugar. 

    To make this mind-boggling recipe, you will need: 

    • 1 pound of thick slices of bacon
    • 1 tablespoon of ground coffee
    • 2 tablespoons of cold brew coffee 
    • ½ cup of brown sugar

    Place a flat rack on a baking pan lined with wax paper. Then, lay your bacon strips on the rack. Rub ground coffee on the strips. Combine brown sugar and cold brew and stir until you achieve a paste-like consistency. Brush half of the mixture on your bacon strips. Then, bake your bacon for 15 minutes in a preheated oven at 375 degrees Fahrenheit, turning the bacon over and brushing with your sugar and coffee glaze. 

    2. Cold brew BBQ sauce

    Want an upgrade to your sauce game? Add cold brew into the mix for a mind-blowing BBQ spread at home. 

    For this caffeine-infused sauce, you need: 

    • 1 cup of ketchup
    • 1 cup of cold brew coffee
    • ¼ cup apple cider vinegar
    • ½ cup brown sugar
    • 2 tablespoons molasses
    • 2 tablespoons chilli powder
    • 2 teaspoons sea salt
    • 2 teaspoons ground cumin
    • 1 teaspoon onion powder
    • 1 teaspoon garlic powder 
    • ½ teaspoon cayenne powder

    In a small saucepan, mix all the ingredients and simmer for about 15-20 minutes until it becomes thicker. Let it cool, and then serve with your grilled meats and vegetables. 

    3. Coffee-brined chicken

    You can also use cold brew to make your roasted chicken smell and taste divine. With chicken that’s brined in coffee, you’ll have a pot of tender and melt-in-your-mouth dish that everyone will love. 

    The ingredients for the chicken are: 

    • 4-5 pound whole organic chicken
    • 2 ½ tablespoons brown sugar
    • 1 ½ tablespoon unsalted butter
    • 2 cups 1% milk

    For the coffee brine, you will need: 

    • ½ litre cold brew coffee
    • 3 ounces kosher salt
    • 2 teaspoons whole black peppercorn
    • 3 star anise
    • 1 teaspoon whole cloves
    • 2 navel oranges, halved
    • 15 ounces ice

    You will need to pat dry the chicken and place it in a 2-gallon-sized plastic bag. In a small pot, combine star anise, cloves, peppercorns, and salt, lightly crushing the spices. Next, squeeze the orange halves and add them to the mixture. Pour cold brew coffee and stir. Then, cover the pot and allow the brine to steep for about 10 minutes.

    In a large bowl of ice, pour the coffee brine and stir until the ice melts. Next, pour the entire mixture with the chicken into the plastic bag. Seal and let it sit at room temperature for 2-3 hours. Take the chicken out, pat it dry, and let it dry for 1 hour in the refrigerator. After an hour, pat dry the chicken and rub both sides with brown sugar. Brown the chicken on both sides in a preheated oven at 375 degrees Fahrenheit. Then, add milk, cover, and cook for an hour with the lid. After that, remove the lid and continue to cook for about 30-40 minutes or until the temperature inside the chicken is 165 degrees Fahrenheit. 

    4. Pumpkin spice latte cupcakes

    To end your meal incredibly, you should make pumpkin spice latte cupcakes loaded with toasty flavours that will send you to dessert heaven. 

    For the cupcakes, you will need: 

    • 1 16.25 ounces of spice cake mix 
    • 1 15 ounces can of pumpkin puree
    • 3 large eggs
    • 1/3 cup vegetable oil 
    • ¼ cup cold brew coffee

    Whisk all the ingredients together and divide the batter evenly among the cupcake liners placed in a 24-cup muffin pan. Once your oven has been preheated at 350 degrees Fahrenheit, place the pan inside. Bake the cupcakes for about 20 minutes or until you get moist crumbs after inserting a wooden toothpick into one of the cupcakes. 

    For the frosting, you will need: 

    • 1 cup unsalted butter, softened
    • 1 16 ounces powdered sugar
    • ½ cup heavy whipping cream
    • A pinch of salt
    • Pumpkin pie spice
    • Caramel sauce

    Beat the butter until fluffy and light in colour. Lower the speed of your electric mixer and slowly add the powdered sugar until the mixture becomes smooth and soft. Add salt and mix for about a minute. Pour the mixture into a piping bag and pipe it onto your cooled cupcakes. Lastly, drizzle with pumpkin pie spice and caramel sauce. 

     

    Conclusion

    Cold brew coffee can be mixed into everyday dishes, making them taste better. While you can enjoy some popular cold brew coffee pairings, you can also certainly enjoy this caffeinated drink in unique ways by using it as an ingredient that will make your all-time favourite meals much more enjoyable. 

    At Wake The Crew, you can get your daily dose of refreshing and energy-inducing cold brew coffee with our cold brew coffee delivery. On top of that, we also offer freshly brewed, ready-to-drink bottled cold brew coffee and mobile coffee cart in Singapore for events. Feel free to drop us a line today for more enquiries!

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  • 5 Fantastic Wedding Ideas For Couples Who Love Coffee

    5 Fantastic Wedding Ideas For Couples Who Love Coffee

    One of the most important considerations when planning a wedding is the theme or motif. Most of the time, couples take inspiration from things they both love. If you and your partner are coffee lovers, why not incorporate your favourite beverage into your wedding theme?

    It’s not surprising that many Singaporeans use coffee as a motif for various events, especially weddings. After all, statistics show that 95,000 60kg bags of coffee were consumed in Singapore in 2022 alone. 

    To help you plan your cold brew-inspired wedding, here are some wonderful ideas you and your partner can consider.

    1. Coffee cart for your guests’ caffeine fix

    At Wake The Crew, we offer cold brew coffee in Singapore for your events. Aside from your usual food and drinks, you can elevate your wedding reception with a mobile coffee cart with bottled cold brews. We have a great range of refreshing cold brew drinks that can be set up at your venue. Aside from that, we can also customise label designs on our bottled cold brew coffee to make them more personalised and match your theme.

    Another reason to cater our coffee cart in Singapore is that it adds style to your wedding reception, be it an indoor or outdoor setting. Having cold brew coffee to go around your wedding celebration helps connect people and stimulate conversations, making the atmosphere more comfortable for everyone.

    2. Cold brew gift packs

    Aside from having a coffee cart to be the centre of attention at your reception, you might want to consider welcoming guests or sending them home with cold brew gift packs. We have plenty of flavours to choose from, including latte, oat latte, black, kopi, chocolate, oolong milk tea, and mocha cold brew coffee. We can also customise personalised notes for you to make your gift packs extra special. 

    3. Antique coffee cans in centrepieces 

    If you are planning a rustic or outdoor wedding reception, consider using antique coffee cans as flower vases to make beautiful centrepieces. You can check out online shops for vintage coffee tin cans and add your favourite blooms to make your centrepieces look perfect for your wedding theme.

    4. Coffee lover’s gift registry 

    If you’re moving to a new place after tying the knot, wouldn’t it be a dream to have your own coffee bar at home? And to make that dream a reality, you’ll need to spend on a good quality coffee machine, dainty cups and mugs, a rolling cart, some coffee-related artwork, furniture, and more. To get a good start on your coffee station project for your abode, why not include the things you need in your gift registry. That way, your family and friends will know what you want to receive as wedding gifts.

    5. Coffee-infused wedding cake

    What is a wedding without a cake? You can have a tiered coffee buttercream cake with coffee beans and matching mugs made of fondant as accents. For a coffee-loving couple, your cake should be infused with your favourite caffeinated beverage to complete your theme.

     

    Conclusion 

    There are many other ways to highlight your favourite caffeine drink at your wedding reception. You can start with the suggestions above to give you a good idea of how to go about it. 

    At Wake The Crew, we offer coffee and tea concentrates, ready-to-drink cold brew coffee, cold brew coffee delivery in Singapore, and more. Contact us today if you are interested in catering a coffee cart or getting cold brew gift packs for your wedding or event!

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