Former barista, it _is_ an unusual order from the perspective behind the bar. Unusual in that I never have heard of someone ordering a warmed cold brew.
I'm not certain how I'd warm it up. I suppose it could be poured into a clean frothing pitcher and steamed directly, I'd somewhat worry that might dilute the flavor of the coffee.
I don't reckon someone's going to want me to microwave their cold brew, but it certainly seems like it'd be the quickest way to do it.
Most cafe workers get into flows of orders. Lattes means you always pump syrups into the cup, start the pour, then steam milk. Cold coffees usually means you ready the cup (syrups, milk) and pour the cold brewed coffee onto it.
Warming the cold brew totally breaks that flow, and is why it would be unexpected.
Hope that perspective helps. I do want to try it now though! I could imagine it being pretty good.
Coffee nerd, I like to play with this stuff.
Steaming cold brew (flash or regular) will give a very smooth frothy texture - almost nitro like foam. You can serve them over ice to get them back to cold, or serve warm.
Tasty if you use good coffee, and pretty unique honestly - "steamed iced americano" or "aerocano" are the two names I've heard if you want other people's reports on them.
You're right that it's very different from the experience of microwaved cold brew, and a customers response can be all over the place depending on what they're expecting.
I appreciate that, it does help, thank you. Indeed I found a few cafes that were used to it, and quite a few that weren’t. I think you’re totally right that this trips up some people’s flow especially when they’re not used to it. I’m okay with accepting it actually is unusual for some and just instead being the person complaining that it should be usual or expected even if it isn’t always. FWIW I have tried it microwaved, and it’s fine, but never in a cafe - baristas have always steamed it until warm or hot. That also works for me.
I'm not certain how I'd warm it up. I suppose it could be poured into a clean frothing pitcher and steamed directly, I'd somewhat worry that might dilute the flavor of the coffee.
I don't reckon someone's going to want me to microwave their cold brew, but it certainly seems like it'd be the quickest way to do it.
Most cafe workers get into flows of orders. Lattes means you always pump syrups into the cup, start the pour, then steam milk. Cold coffees usually means you ready the cup (syrups, milk) and pour the cold brewed coffee onto it.
Warming the cold brew totally breaks that flow, and is why it would be unexpected.
Hope that perspective helps. I do want to try it now though! I could imagine it being pretty good.