Before we talk about modern Dutch coffee and its culture, we need to discuss its legacy and impact on the coffee industry.
The origins of the method that constitutes "Dutch coffee" are somewhat unclear. However, it is thought to have developed sometime in the 17th century in the Netherlands. As Dutch colonialism progressed, it spread to Korea and Japan, where cold-drip coffee became increasingly popular. This is where it earned the nickname "Dutch coffee." Now, it is also known as Kyoto coffee.
But what exactly is it? In short, Dutch coffee is a slow-drip cold brew method that involves dripping iced water onto a bed of grounds and allowing the extraction to slowly take place. It makes a concentrated brew, so it's quite strong. Most people choose to dilute it.
An important part of preparing Dutch coffee is that coffee grounds react differently with cold water than they do with hot water. The fact that cold water is used means that Dutch coffee doesn't oxidize, making it less bitter, less acidic, and, of course, extremely easy to enjoy. This primarily gives Dutch coffee a fruitier flavor than almost all types of coffee brewed with hot water.
In addition to its fruity flavor, Dutch coffee is very beneficial because it has no calories like coffee brewed with hot water. This is because the fats in coffee beans are insoluble in cold water, so there will be no fat in your Dutch coffee.
The history of Dutch coffee
The connection between the Dutch and coffee dates back almost 300 years to the Golden Age. At that time, coffee was only grown in its original home: Yemen. Although it was a valuable commodity, it was illegal to transport or export fertile coffee plants from Yemen.
However, that didn't stop hardy Dutch sailors from shipping fertile coffee plants from Yemen to faraway places like India and Indonesia. The main goal was to plant coffee in these places to supply the burgeoning coffee market in Europe.
As for Dutch coffee, it was invented by Dutch sailors working for the Dutch East India Company. These sailors were not allowed to use fire anywhere other than in the ships' kitchens.
They discovered that this type of coffee lasted longer because it didn't oxidize. This was also beneficial during longer trips, especially in hot weather, as it was a refreshing drink.
Classic Dutch coffee makers
You can find a version of the classic Dutch oven in some coffee shops. They are also available for home users, but they are quite expensive. Most consist of a tall series of glass chambers and tubes held in a wooden or metal tower frame.
The Yama is an example of a classic-style home brewer. However, at approximately 24 inches tall, not everyone will have room for this in their kitchen. A slightly smaller and less expensive alternative is the NISPIRA Ice Dripper.
It's 18 inches tall and about 6 inches wide. It performs just as well at less than half the cost. It has a more modern feel with a stainless steel tower instead of wood, but if you want function and don't mind a showpiece, this is a good choice.
Modern Dutch coffee makers
Several companies have created modern versions of cold-drip brewers. These are more compact and less expensive.
βThe Cold Bruerβ is one of two products recently funded by crowdsourcing campaigns. The design is more functional and compact, measuring 5 inches in diameter and 12 inches tall, but the basic principle is the same.
Another ingenious adaptation is the βDripo coffee dripperβ (another crowdfunded startup). This is a great option for single-serve coffee, as the coffee maker fits into a travel mug. Of course, when you're making something as time-consuming as cold brew coffee, you might want something with a larger capacity to produce enough concentrate for a couple of days. This one is made of plastic, so that can be a pro or a con depending on your perspective.
Dutch coffee has a rich history dating back nearly 300 years. It's a unique style of brewing coffee with cold water instead of hot. For this reason, Dutch coffee is less acidic, less oxidized, yet very flavorful, almost reminiscent of Belgian chocolate.
This type of coffee is regaining popularity and will soon be a new trend in making a great cup of coffee worth waiting for.