A friend of mine just sent me an article on fermented coffee. I had never heard of it. But when I do a Google search, I see it’s all the rage. Thank you to HomeGrounds and Pure Kopi Luwak for their help with this article, which honors one of my favorite memes.
Now we can enjoy fermented drinks day and night 🙂
What Is Fermented Coffee? or Barrel-Aged Coffee?
It’s true. This coffee sees barrels that were previously used to make whiskey, gin, rum, wine and other varieties of liquor. For people who don’t like alcohol, they can opt for orange juice fermented coffee.
HomeGround tells a good story about how coffee is fermented:
“You’re probably asking yourself – isn’t coffee usually fermented? And you’d be right. Wet-processed beans will undergo some natural fermentation as they soak.
“When we talk about fermented beans, however, we’re referring to beans that have undergone a deliberate and controlled fermentation after they have been dried – i.e., as green coffee beans.
“After the beans go through this fermentation, they are roasted as usual, ready to be brewed as you choose. You’ll see them sold as either fermented or cultured coffee beans.”
Why Ferment Coffee?
Fermentation refines the sweetness, body, and acidity of the coffee and even adds a fruity note to it. You’re likely to experience distinctive raspberry notes with a hint of rose water.
Benefits of This Type of Coffee
Pure Kopi Luwak provides all kinds of great information, which I’ve copied here.
“Fermenting coffee isn’t just trendy. There are a number of reasons for choosing fermented coffee over regular coffee. But first, a word of caution. You might think that, since the coffee is fermented, it would be full of probiotics (the good bacteria that help your digestive system) like yogurt. But keep in mind that the fermentation process in coffee occurs before roasting the beans, so all the probiotics present after the fermentation are eliminated during the roast.
“Probiotics aside, here are just five of the benefits fermented coffee has to offer:
“Benefit #1: Easier to digest
“Fermentation transforms many hard-to-digest substances into simpler molecules that the body can handle more easily. It also has a lower concentration of certain chemical compounds associated with gastrointestinal discomfort, which makes it easier to digest than regular coffee.
“Benefit #2: Easier on IBS patients
“Regular coffee can be irritating for people with IBS (irritable bowel syndrome), whereas fermented coffee is usually not.
“Benefit #3: Cleaner and safer
“Specific microorganisms used in fermentation inhibit the appearance and growth of fungi in the beans, making them last longer without spoiling and ensuring a cleaner, safer drinking experience.
“Benefit #4: Improved taste and aroma
“By controlling fermentation conditions, producers can alter the taste and aroma of the coffee to decrease bitter off-notes and increase the overall quality of the coffee.
“Benefit #5: Fewer Tannins
“The tannins you find in coffee, tea, wine and other foods turn your teeth yellow due to their unique chemical structure. However, fermented coffee has significantly lower levels of tannins, drastically reducing the harm done to your teeth and maintaining your pretty smile.”
There’s always something new to learn. I hope you enjoyed a week of non-wine information.
Cheers!
