Over the last decade, the cold brew coffee craze has swept all over the world. Different from traditional hot-brewed coffee, it revolutionizes how we consume coffee, offering a new drinking experience with a uniquely refreshing flavor profile that you won't find anywhere else.

In fact, cold brew coffee is not a new concept - it has been around for generations.

What's cold brew coffee?

The first evidence of true cold brew coffee, made with cold water, comes from Japan. It is recorded that during the 1600s, the Japanese brewed cold coffee for hours, extracting every flavor from the bean; they even invented elegant machines to brew the coffee in public spaces - they let each bead of water slowly, drop by stop, drip over coffee grounds in glass apertures suspended as a tower. Because this type of coffee earned great popularity in the city of Kyoto, it was also called Kyoto Coffee.

Someone also speculates that this method was originally introduced by Dutch traders. They used it as a way to make coffee that did not require "dangerous fire". Meanwhile, the easily-preserved nature of the cold brew concentrate had a multitude of uses, notably keeping the traders themselves awake during their long travels, as well as staying fresh and flavorful long enough to sell in other countries.

All in all, one thing is certain that cold-brewing makes its way around the world through trade and travel. In the 1840s, the Mazargan, an iced coffee made with lemon, became a popular drink to combat the desert heat. The Americans also used cold brew as war rations in the 19th century, as well as beginning to add chicory to cut the coffee and improve the preservation of it over long periods of time.

With the development of technologies to improve upon the traditional methods, big coffee chains like Starbucks and Dunkin Donuts begin to pick up on cold brew, making it more accessible to the general public. Now, you can see cold brew coffee from almost every cafe's menu.

Why has cold brew coffee become so popular?

Better flavor. On the one hand, cold brew coffee is lower in acidity. Research indicates that cold brew coffee is over 67% less acidic than hot brewed coffee. The acidity of regular coffee can cause heartburn, as well as, damage to your teeth and the lining of your stomach, while cold brew's acids are basically weaker, which might be why folks with more sensitive stomachs can enjoy it more than a cup of hot coffee. On the other hand, cold brew coffee is sweeter and smoother. As the coffee grounds aren't exposed to high temps, cold brew coffee usually tastes more flavorful, with a rich sweetness and virtually without bitterness.

High convenience. For a portable caffeine kick, cold brew coffee is unmatched. It is super simple to make a cup of cold brew coffee – just add cold water and ice to the concentrate and milk, if desired. And the concentrate stays good in the fridge for up to 2 weeks, without tasting stale the way leftover hot brewed coffee. Great for a hot summer's day, or a busy morning's commute.

Healthy for your body. Cold-brew coffee offers not only a great flavor but also a range of health benefits over traditionally brewed coffee. For example, it has some healthy compounds such as chlorogenic acids and antioxidants – the former helps lower blood sugar levels and reduce insulin spikes by reducing carbohydrate absorption in the digestive tract, while the latter can scavenge free radicals from the body cells and prevent or reduce the damage caused by oxidation, thus reducing the risk of many diseases, including heart disease and certain cancers.

How to make a cup of cold brew coffee?

Step 1 Coarsely grind the coffee

A larger grind - something closer to the coarseness of raw sugar - keeps the brew from getting bitter overnight. If you've got a small home grinder, it's best to grind the beans in batches.

Step 2 Mix coffee and water

Use a higher ratio of coffee to water. We recommend a ratio of 8 ounces of ground coffee to 8 cups of water.

Step 3 Steep for one night

Stir gently until well combined. Then cover the jar with a lid or a small plate to protect it from dust and bugs. Let the coffee steep for about 12 hours. The coffee can be left on the counter or refrigerated.

Step 4 Strain

When brewed, strain into a large bowl through a sieve to remove the larger grounds. Repeat two or three times, until you are seeing no murky residue at the bottom as you finish your pour.

Step 5 Store

Transfer the coffee to a small bottle or jar and store in the fridge for up to a week.

Step 6 Enjoy your coffee

Serve over ice, with milk and sugar, if that's your thing. Or warm for a few minutes in the microwave. If stored properly, it will stay good for a month or so due to the brew's low acidity.