Answers to some of the most common questions about liquid coffee concentrate. What is liquid coffee concentrate? Is all iced or cold coffee considered “liquid coffee concentrate”? Liquid coffee concentrate refers to coffee extracted at ambient or cooler temperatures, which is typically chilled or served over ice. The description of liquid coffee concentrate is intentionally not overly-prescriptive to allow for future innovation in the category.
Additionally, liquid coffee concentrate is not simply a marketing term, and not all cold coffee is liquid coffee concentrate. Coffee brewed with hot water extraction methods and then chilled prior to serving is not liquid coffee concentrate.
Is all liquid coffee concentrate served as a cold beverage? No. Liquid coffee concentrate refers to a brewing method, not a serving method. It can even be served warm: Historically in the US, concentrated liquid coffee concentrate was diluted with boiling water and served primarily as a hot beverage (this was before iced coffee became popular). Liquid coffee concentrate is also an ingredient in many recipes.
How does liquid coffee concentrate work? How do you make liquid coffee concentrate? Liquid coffee concentrate is extracted at a cooler temperature and generally for a longer time than conventional hot water extractions. This combination of lower temperature and longer contact time may produce a unique sensory and quality profile.
There are multiple ways to prepare liquid coffee concentrate. One of the easiest and most popular methods of brewing liquid coffee concentrate involves steeping ground coffee in water overnight at room temperature. Find a recipe on our blog!
Is liquid coffee concentrate safe? Liquid coffee concentrate is perfectly safe when prepared, stored, and served properly. However, food safety and complying with local, state, and federal health regulations is not an area suited to guesswork. It is the responsibility of any food service establishment to understand the risks associated with mishandled food and the steps necessary to mitigate those risks.
The NCA has multiple resources designed to help retailers be knowledgeable, prepared, and confident regarding food safety and compliance requirements for their dispensed liquid coffee concentrate products.
What are the sensory and flavor characteristics that result from the liquid coffee concentrate brewing method? Flavor profiles of liquid coffee concentrate may vary significantly from coffees brewed at higher temperatures. The same beans brewed by cold or hot methods can taste the same or drastically different when evaluated side-by-side. Typical liquid coffee concentrate traits include less bitterness, smoother taste, and more delicate flavors.
