Why are Nitrogen Brite Tanks Important to Commercial Coffee and Cold Brew Producers?
Nitrogen-infused coffee is taking the RTD market by storm, offering a unique sensory experience that elevates craft and commercial coffee. At the heart of this innovation are nitrogen brite tanks, which allow producers to infuse coffee with nitrogen gas, creating a smooth texture and cascading foam similar to draft beer.
What Does Nitrogen Bring to Coffee?
Nitrogen infusion creates “a slightly creamy mouthfeel that our customers really love and keeps them coming back,” says Good Citizen Coffee Co. Nitrogen also adds a luxurious texture and enhances the visual appeal with its cascading bubbles.
How to Infuse Nitrogen Into Coffee?
Step 1: Prepare the Brite Tank
- Ensure the brite tank is clean, sanitized, and pressurized to handle nitrogen gas. If necessary, verify that the tank is ASME-rated for higher-pressure applications.
- Attach the carb stone to the gas inlet inside the brite tank. The carb stone should be submerged in the liquid for proper nitrogen infusion.
Step 2: Transfer Chilled Coffee to the Brite Tank
- Brew your coffee as desired (e.g., cold brew) and chill it to approximately 34–40°F (1–4°C). Chilling helps with gas absorption and prevents unwanted foam or excessive pressure during infusion.
- Transfer the coffee into the brite tank, filling it to the desired volume while leaving some headspace for pressurization.
Step 3: Introduce Nitrogen Gas
- Connect a nitrogen gas supply (typically food-grade nitrogen) to the brite tank’s gas inlet.
- Slowly apply pressure, starting at 25–30 PSI. This pressure helps push nitrogen through the carb stone, creating extremely fine bubbles that dissolve into the coffee.
Step 4: Infuse the Nitrogen
- Allow the nitrogen to flow into the coffee through the carb stone for 1–2 hours, depending on the batch size and tank pressure.
- Agitate the tank gently (optional) to encourage even saturation of nitrogen throughout the coffee.
Step 5: Serve or Package
- Once the coffee is properly nitrogenated, it can be dispensed directly through draft systems (e.g., nitro taps) for serving or transferred to kegs or cans for packaging. Ensure the product remains under pressure to maintain the nitrogen effect.
Key Benefits of Using Nitrogen Brite Tanks:
- Silky Texture: Nitrogen gives coffee a velvety mouthfeel.
- Craft Appeal: The cascading bubbles and rich foam enhance the artisan experience.
- Versatility: Producers can customize carbonation or nitrogen levels for varied products.
Good Citizen Coffee uses their nitrogen brite tanks from Deutsche to craft RTD beverages that stand out. When paired with a coffee brewhouse system, these tanks seamlessly integrate into the production process. Maintenance is also simplified with CIP systems, ensuring food safety and operational efficiency.
Deutsche specializes in specialized brewing tanks for the commercial coffee industry and can supply tanks to infuse nitrogen into your beverage product. Some operations may require higher-pressure ASME tanks which Deutsche can also provide.
