Cold brew coffee has its origins in 17th century Japan, where the Dutch traders adopted the local method of cold-brewing tea to coffee. This method gained immense popularity in the US with the third-wave coffee movement, which emphasized the importance of bean origin and flavor notes. Today, cold brew is a staple in coffee culture, known for its smooth taste and higher caffeine content, with variations like nitro cold brew adding to its allure. Supermarket shelves now offer an array of cold brew options. A blind taste test of eight nationally available cold brews sought to identify the best one, focusing on the balance of acidity and robust flavor without being watery or overpoweringly bitter. Califia Farms Pure Black Medium Roast Cold Brew, boasting Rainforest Alliance Certification, emerged as the top pick.
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