Dutch Coffee is a brewing method where the drink is made by letting ice-cold water drip over freshly grounded coffee. It is one of the finest brews that coffee lovers can try, and it is usually made with a proper Dutch Coffee maker.
This is one of the best ways to enjoy your caffeinated drink, as it has no calories, less bitterness, and a lower acidity level in comparison to other coffee-based beverages.
Where Did Dutch Coffee Originate?
The origin of Dutch Coffee can be traced back to the Golden Age in Yemen. Since the export of fertile coffee plants from Yemen was illegal, Dutch sailors managed to ship some specimens to India and Indonesia, to supply the European market.
The Dutch sailors working for the Dutch East India Company were not allowed to use any fire outside the ships’ kitchen. Consequently, they discovered a new way to grind coffee beans and obtain an invigorating beverage that would last during longer voyages.
Today, Dutch Coffee is known worldwide, and it is appreciated as the best way to produce the finest coffee brews.
Dutch Coffee vs. Cold Brew Coffee
Even if their names are often used interchangeably, cold brew coffee and Dutch Coffee are not the same caffeinated beverage. First of all, the brewing method is completely different, meaning that even the tastes of both drinks are not similar.
Cold brew coffee is made by steeping coarsely grounded fresh coffee at room temperature for at least 12 hours. The brewing process can be done in a French press, a toddy brewer, or any sealable storage container. Once ready, you can spice it up with sweet syrups, flavorings, milk, or whipped cream.
On the other hand, Dutch Coffee is made by pouring ice-cold water over freshly ground coffee for 3.5 to 12 hours. This is a more complicated brewing process, which requires a Dutch Coffee maker. Although there are alternative ways to make Dutch Coffee, it is always recommended to follow the traditional procedures. This is the best way to achieve the bold, fuller body and aroma, making Dutch Coffee more intense than any other cold-brewed drink.
How Do You Make Dutch Coffee?
Although brewing a cup of Dutch Coffee is usually an easy process, it deserves attention to every detail to guarantee the best result.
To achieve the perfect aroma and taste, you should pay attention to four major aspects in particular, which are: the ratio of ice and water, the amount and quality of coffee, the drip speed, and the coarseness of your coffee grind.
Once you have all the necessary tools and ingredients, you are ready to complete the following step-to-step process, which will lead you to brew the best cup of Dutch Coffee you have ever had.
Step 1: Find the Best Coffee Beans
The best way to make your cup of Dutch Coffee is to use the perfect coffee beans. Unwashed, light roasted coffee is usually the best choice, as it will give your drink a fruity aftertaste. On the other hand, if you wish to use your Dutch Coffee as an ingredient of a specific recipe, you may want to consider darker roasted beans for a deeper flavor.
Step 2: The Grind
Once you get your coffee, you can get ready for the brew. The first thing to do is to ensure you have a cotton filter, which will preserve all the coffee’s aroma.
The amount of coffee you will put in your Dutch Coffee maker will determine the beverage’s strength. However, you can adjust the coffee strength even more by using different types of grind.
Before you start grinding your coffee, you want to make sure that your paper top filter is moist. Some of the best baristas use this clever expedient to help the water spread evenly over the coffee ground.
Step 3: Water and Ice
You must place your water and ice in the top reservoir of the Dutch Coffee maker. Usually, the recommended ratio is about 10 grams of coffee per 100 grams of ice water, but you can add additional water if you want a more diluted coffee.
As far as the amount of ice is concerned, it will depend on the temperature of the room you are brewing your coffee in and the grinding speed you will select. If your room is cool enough, you may use less ice.
Step 4: Let’s Brew!
Before you can start brewing your coffee, you must select the dripping spin by turning the valve at the bottom of your Dutch Coffee maker’s top reservoir. Don’t forget that the water pressure and the dripping speed depend on your top reservoir’s water level. For this reason, you should start with a dripping speed of about four times per 10 seconds and constantly check on the brew to make sure that it is getting ahead smoothly.
Step 5: Time to Enjoy Your Coffee
As soon as your Dutch Coffee is brewed and stored in a non-sealed container, it will start to oxidize and slowly lose its flavor. This means that you must be ready to immediately pour your delicious coffee into a bottle to preserve its taste.
You can store Dutch Coffee for about two weeks. Coffee experts usually recommend letting the beverage rest for at least three days in your refrigerator to allow its full aroma to develop.
Dutch Coffee: Not Your Usual Caffeine Shot
Dutch Coffee is a coffee brewing method that originated decades ago. Contrary to other similar techniques, only the best coffee beans and the right amount of cold water are required to help coffee release its best aroma.
The entire brewing process usually takes up to 6 hours, and you will need a proper Dutch Coffee maker. Nevertheless, this drink’s taste is so intense and extraordinary that it will be worth the waiting.