The world’s biggest coffee retailer, Starbucks Coffee Company, has come up with yet another innovation — the Cold Brew range — which includes the Traditional Cold Brew, Cold Brew Latte, and Cold Brew with Vanilla Sweet Cream. These can now be bought in its more than 50 South African stores, the first of which opened seven years ago. The limited edition Salted Caramel Cream Cold Brew will be available in March.
The Starbucks crew took its time perfecting the various Cold Brew recipes, experimenting with different roast levels, beans and brewing styles. Through this and many blind tastings, they discovered what they believe is the perfect balance: “a smooth, rich flavour, with chocolate and light citrus notes”.
“We are proud to offer our customers exciting options for their favourite brew,” said Starbucks Coffee Master, Ishan Natalie. “We want to provide a unique and satisfying experience to all our customers, and our Cold Brew variants certainly deliver on what they promise.”
While traditional iced coffee is made by brewing double-strength hot coffee poured over ice, Cold Brew is coffee steeped using cool water for 20 hours; this lengthy process creates a smooth, full-bodied coffee, without any bitterness. The recommendation is drinking it unsweetened so that the delicate, naturally sweet taste can be savoured.
The company sources its beans worldwide, including from nine African countries – Rwanda, Uganda, Tanzania, Ethiopia, Kenya, Burundi, Zambia, Cameroon, and the Democratic Republic of Congo. The cornerstone of its ethical sourcing approach to buying coffee is Coffee and Farmer Equity Practices, a verification programme that promotes transparent, profitable and sustainable coffee growing practices and protects the wellbeing of coffee farmers and workers.