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I get asked about slow brew coffee quite frequently. And the answer is not as straightforward and accurate as I would like.

So, in this article, I will give an overview of what is slow-brew coffee, and what makes it so popular?

Why has Slow Brew Suddenly Become Popular?

The concept of slow brew is heard more and more in cafes and coffee shops around the world. Why is it suddenly so popular to drink coffee called slow brew?

I think there are several answers to this.

I will have to start somewhere else, namely, by the quality improvement on the green beans over the last few years. The demand for good grades has been met, especially over the last 5 years, by coffee farmers.

The supply of good quality green beans has never been higher than today, and there is no indication that this trend will continue.

You also don’t have to worry about the entire brewing process anymore, thanks to today’s coffee machines. A consequence of this is that making coffee is also very fast. 

But, is that an Advantage or a Disadvantage?

Clearly, this is a matter of debate. In recent years, the term slow coffee has emerged. This term can mean two things:

  • The way you drink
  • How the cup of coffee is made

According to most people, it is great fun to enjoy a cup of slow coffee. 

It is not the intention to drink the coffee in 3 sips, but you enjoy the moment. 

You sit down for a while, you enjoy the environment, you catch up with a friend or family member, and in the meantime, you drink your coffee.

In this case, the term ‘slow coffee’ also refers to the calm and relaxed drinking of a coffee cup. 

However, it’s not the only thing that has made slow coffee popular in recent years.

No, take a look at a hip coffee place in any major city. The chance that you will see the ‘Slow Brew’ variant is quite high.

Slow coffee is also a unique brewing technique that allows you to prepare a delicious cup of coffee. More on that below.

A Renewed Technique

The way of preparing coffee has changed a lot in recent decades. 

Today’s most innovative coffee machines can even be operated with a smartphone. 

That used to be quite different. In the past, the preparation of coffee was mainly done with the help of a filter. 

Over the years, this way has become less popular until slow brew came to light. 

This brewing technique is largely based on the old-fashioned technique that uses a filter. Making a cup of slow coffee can easily take 5 minutes. 

How to Make Slow Brew Coffee

The first step is to get hot water onto the freshly ground coffee. The water is hot, but it is certainly not boiling. 

This keeps the coffee, retaining a delicious and mild taste.

Then the hot water is slowly mixed with coffee grounds. This then drips gently through the filter. 

During this entire process, the bean is given all the time and space to impart all flavors and aromas to the water.

This is the main difference between slow coffee and a ‘normal’ cup of coffee or cappuccino.

After all, when preparing a normal cup of coffee, people want it to go as quickly as possible.

As a result, there is high pressure in the machine, and the coffee beans are quickly ground with the water. However, this ensures that not all aromas and flavors are obtained from the beans.

It’s a shame, really.

Also, certain coffee beans are not suitable for such a fast technique. This is the case, for example, with beans with a fresh and fruity character. 

With a fast preparation technique, these beans are not able to release all the aromas. 

Several researchers discovered after years that the beans lose their aromas if they are prepared too quickly. 

They, therefore, decided to bring back the old-fashioned technology. The technique, as described above, is, therefore, the basis of slow coffee.

What do You Need to Make Slow Coffee?

Does this sound like music to your ears? Would you like to enjoy your cup of coffee in a calm and relaxed way? Would you like to enjoy all the aromas and flavors? 

Then it’s time to give slow coffee a try. 

I dare to say that you do not want anything else afterward if you have the time. 

As mentioned, preparing 1 cup of coffee takes 3 to 5 minutes. You must have the time for this or take the time for it. So the first thing you need for slow coffee is time

Also, you must have a specific device. These devices are available in several variants.

You can opt for a Cold Dripp coffee maker, an Aeropress coffee maker, a French Press coffee maker, a Vacuum slow coffee maker, and a Chemex Slow coffee maker.

You also need specific accessories with these devices

For example, you still need to purchase filter paper at the Chemex Slow coffee maker. You can also use a special Chemex brush to maintain the coffee machine. 

For an AeroPress coffee maker, you need different, unique microfilters.

What are the Benefits of Slow Brew?

There are many advantages to a slow brew coffee.

For some, it is the ideal time to relax for a while, while others enjoy the taste. The fact is that you can really enjoy the coffee that has been slowly brewed. 

You take your time to prepare and drink the coffee. That is one of the few quiet moments in a day in this hectic society. After you have taken your time for this, you will have enough energy to undertake active things.

All in all, slow coffee offers the opportunity to unwind and relax.

Also, the coffee is delicious, thanks to this brewing technique. Certain coffee beans, including the fresh and fruity ones, are much more capable of getting rid of their aromas. This is pure since this preparation technique takes a long time. This also gives the beans more time to transfer their flavor and aromas to the water.

The bottom line, many people, opt for slow coffee because of its delicious taste.

Finally, it is also nice to get started with slow coffee. You have full control over the preparation process. Moreover, you really have to take the time for it. We have also heard from several slow coffee users that they continuously do their best to optimize the taste.

The Concept

Coffee farmers today are producing the best possible quality, and the coffee-producing countries have, more or less altogether, created organizations that support and help the individual farmers to develop the farms to create better and better products. 

Quality equals greater revenue.

Today, with respect for themselves, every coffee roasting champion is working on getting the individual bean’s flavor profile as optimal as possible. You go for a balanced coffee in terms of sweetness and acidity, with the right fullness (for the purpose).

If you want a fine and nuanced taste and aroma, the coffee should be roasted lightly. And that leads us to the concept of Slow Brew.

The slow concept is probably because the bright quality grids are more delicate and difficult to deal with.

The space between success and failure is relatively close. So one can easily destroy one’s fine bean if it is, for example, incorrectly dosed or extracted.

And when I talk about extraction, there is both the degree of grinding and water contact time.

Slow brew is a craft. A craft that requires presence, focus and practice.

In my world, the slow brew is not defined by the brewing method. It can be brewed on anything from a jug, pour over, or siphon.

But the process needs to be controlled and controlled so that you get the best result – have the right time and focus if you want.

slow brew coffee infographic

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