Making cold brew coffee is a simple and tasty method to prepare your morning cup of coffee. It involves soaking coffee grounds in cold or room temperature water for a prolonged period. The outcome is a rich and smooth coffee with a nuanced flavor that is less acidic compared to regular coffee. Additionally, cold brew coffee offers great flexibility. It can be prepared in large quantities and stored in the refrigerator for up to two weeks. Its higher concentration allows it to serve as a foundation for iced lattes, cold brew cocktails, and other delicious concoctions!
WHAT IS COLD BREW COFFEE?
To make cold brew coffee, coffee grounds are steeped in cold or room temperature water for a long period, typically ranging from 8 to 24 hours. This method creates a flavorful, smooth coffee that is full-bodied. Unlike regular coffee, cold brew coffee is less acidic and has a smoother taste. It also contains a higher amount of caffeine, making it an excellent choice for a morning pick-me-up alongside breakfast.
HOW TO MAKE COLD BREW COFFEE AT HOME
To make your own cold brew coffee at home, you will need coffee beans, water, a few basic kitchen tools, and a bit of patience. The process is surprisingly easy!
- Start by grinding your coffee beans. You’ll want to use a coarse grind for cold brew coffee – the same size as sea salt.
- Add your ground coffee to a container and pour cold or room temperature water over it.
- Stir the mixture until all the grounds are fully submerged.
- Cover the container and let it sit in a cool, dark place for 8-24 hours.
- Once the steeping process is complete, strain the mixture through a fine-mesh sieve or cheesecloth.
- Pour the strained coffee into a sealable container and store it in the fridge for up to two weeks.
INGREDIENTS FOR COLD BREW COFFEE
To make cold brew coffee at home, you only need a small number of basic ingredients.
- Coffee beans: You’ll need 1 cup of coarsely ground coffee beans for every 4 cups of water.
- Water: Use cold or room temperature water for best results.
- A container: Any large container with a lid will do. Prefereatly glass.
- A fine-mesh sieve or cheesecloth: This will be used to strain out the coffee grounds.
COLD BREW COFFEE RECIPE RATIOS
To achieve the best cold brew coffee, it is crucial to consider the ratio of coffee beans to water. For optimal results, utilize a ratio of 1 cup of coarsely ground coffee beans per 4 cups of water. This proportion will create a robust and rich cold brew coffee. If a milder flavor is desired, decrease the amount of coffee beans and increase the quantity of water. For instance, you can use 1/2 cup of coffee beans for every 8 cups of water to obtain a smoother and lighter cold brew coffee.
COLD BREW COFFEE RECIPES
After learning how to prepare cold brew coffee, you can explore incorporating it into some of your preferred recipes. Below, we have shared a selection of our cherished cold brew coffee recipes.
- Iced latte: Mix 1 part cold brew coffee with 1 part milk and a few cubes of ice.
- Cold brew martini: Mix 1 part cold brew coffee with 1 part vodka and a splash of simple syrup.
- Cold brew frappe: Blend 1 part cold brew coffee with 1 part milk, 1 scoop of ice cream, and a few cubes of ice.
- Cold brew milkshake: Blend 1 part cold brew coffee with 1 part milk, 1 scoop of ice cream, 1 tablespoon of cocoa powder, and a few cubes of ice.
- Cold brew float: Mix 1 part cold brew coffee with 1 part milk and 1 scoop of ice cream.
WHY COLD BREW?
What is the deal with cold brew, you might ask? Is it truly distinct from iced coffee? I believe so! Allow me to explain why you should contemplate indulging in this delectable variation of conventional coffee.
1. It’s Smoother Than Regular Coffee
Although I enjoy a cappuccino or an iced latte, cold brew is one of my preferred choices due to its smoother taste compared to hot-brewed coffee or espresso. Typically, coffee is rapidly prepared using boiling water to make a flavorful hot brew. If you desire a cold drink, the coffee or espresso is merely poured over ice. While this is certainly a delicious choice, it can occasionally result in an excessively acidic and overpowering iced coffee.
To create cold brew, combine ground coffee and water and allow it to steep for 12-24 hours. The oils in coffee beans, which store fatty acids, are typically best extracted with hot temperatures. However, the cold and gradual brewing method prevents the complete extraction of many oils found in coffee beans, resulting in the absence of the contained acids in the final product. As a result, this produces a smoother brew that allows the true flavors of the beans to shine.
2. It’s Easier on Digestion
In accordance with what we mentioned earlier, cold brewing coffee has been proven to yield a brew that is less acidic compared to regular coffee, with claims that it can be up to 60% less acidic. The precise reduction in acidity differs depending on the type of beans and brewing techniques employed. Numerous individuals discover that this reduced acidity is gentler on their stomach, making it worth attempting cold brew if you usually avoid coffee due to intolerance.
3. It Lasts for Weeks
Although making cold brew requires more effort than brewing a regular cup of coffee, the advantage is that you can enjoy the benefits for several weeks (depending on your consumption). Once you have a batch ready, simply pour it over ice, mix it with your preferred add-ins, and you’re all set!
CAN YOU USE REGULAR COFFEE BEANS TO MAKE COLD BREW?
You can use regular coffee beans to make cold brew, which means your favorite coffee is a good choice to start with. However, it is recommended to use coarse ground coffee beans. If regular or finely ground beans are used, there will be some thick, gritty sludge at the bottom of the cold brew jar. Although this is not a major problem, it is not as enjoyable when reaching the end of the jar. Additionally, using finely ground coffee makes the process slightly more challenging.
THE BEST BEANS FOR COLD BREW?
- Stone Street Coffee Cold Brew Reserve – this is the full-caffeine version of the half-caff variety listed above. This coffee has been specially formulated for cold brew and makes a smooth, well-rounded coffee.
- Cooper’s Cask Organic Cold Brew Coffee – Cooper’s Cask has a variety of cold brew coffees that are all fair-trade, organic, and roasted in Rhode Island. I love this single-origin Guatemala blend because it is smooth and just slightly sweet on its own. This one is the closest thing to Chameleon to me!
- Tiny Footprint Organic Cold Brew – This cold brew is organic, fair-trade, and for every pound sold, Tiny Footprint will donate a portion of the proceeds to fund reforestation in Ecuador’s Mindo cloud forest. This is a medium-roast Ethiopian blend coffee that results in a yummy, rich brew.
- Bizzy Organic Cold Brew Dark & Bold – If you like a stronger, darker coffee, this one is for you! Bizzy’s beans are completely organic, coarsely ground, and ethically sourced from Guatemala, Peru, and Nicaragua. They still produce a smooth brew, but with a more bold flavor than the other beans listed here.