Cold brew coffee surge and health warnings on icy drinks in Hungary

Cold brew coffee has become a popular summer beverage in Hungary, praised for its smooth, low‑acid profile. Originating from 17th‑century Dutch East India Company sailors who soaked coarse coffee in cold seawater, the method was later refined in Japan into a drip‑style technique. Home preparation requires coarse grounds, cold water and 16‑24 hours of steeping, yielding a silky drink that many consider gentler on the stomach than traditional hot coffee.

Health experts caution that very cold drinks can cause temporary digestive discomfort. Dr Németh Dániel of Semmelweis University notes, “Symptoms become stronger the larger the temperature difference between the body and the beverage and the greater the amount consumed at once.” Cold beverages may slow stomach and intestinal activity, leading to bloating, cramps, or migraine‑like headaches, especially in people with irritable bowel syndrome, children, the elderly, or migraine‑prone individuals. A moderate temperature around 16 °C is recommended.