The world needs to just chill. We intend to assist you in honoring all aspects of cold brew coffee. Drinking coffee made without any heat may be beneficial for your health as well as being very tasty.
WHAT IS COLD BREW COFFEE?
Coffee is created by soaking coffee grounds in water at a low temperature or at room temperature for an extended amount of time. This is known as cold brew coffee. The ultimate outcome is a cup of coffee that tastes dissimilar to hot or iced coffee due to its altered chemical composition. Moreover, the flavor is also completely distinct. People who are curious to know what a cold brew is may be pondering how to make it. It is factual that all that is needed to complete the task is a jar made out of glass and a filter that is of superior quality. And you need patience—lots and lots of patience.
WHY COLD BREW COFFEE?
Cold brew isn’t just a sexy fad. According to the National Coffee Association, cold brewing is one of the top three ways to make coffee. It’s unsurprising that there are lots of advantages to drinking cold brew coffee. Here are some of the highlights:
There’s less acidity in cold brew.
It has been estimated that a normal cup of coffee has around 60% more acid than cold brew. The results of a study revealed that cold-brew coffee had a less acidic pH of 6.31 whereas hot-brew coffee had a more acidic pH of 5.48. So yes, cold brew is less acidic.
Why is cold brew less acidic? Recall that cold brew coffee utilises a chemically dissimilar procedure. Brewing with cold water results in coffee that is less acidic since it doesn’t extract as much of the acidity from the grounds as hot water does. It is thrilling to drink cold brew if you’re looking to have lower levels of acidity, and it is possibly better for you for this reason.
It’s better for those with sensitive stomachs.
People with digestive problems such as irritable bowel syndrome or acid reflux should opt for cold brew coffee as it has less acid content than hot. Cold brew coffee does not appear to alter factors such as antioxidants or cholesterol levels.
Bear in mind that making cold brew will alter the taste. If you find yourself having to add things like sugar and cream to your iced coffee in order to make it more palatable, you won’t have to do the same with cold brew because of its naturally sweet taste and smooth texture. Reducing your consumption of sugar and dairy products might definitely have an impact on your cholesterol and other markers.
It has a smooth flavor.
The acid and other chemical compounds create an effect which subdues the vinegar-like flavor and gives you a much milder and soothing finish.
It stays good for longer.
Regular hot coffee loses its quality after a few days, while homemade cold brew remains tasty and flavorful for up to a week. In less than a week’s time, mold and bacteria will start to accummulate, unless a completely germ-free environment has been created. We don’t condone any weird cold brew kombucha experiments. Don’t be concerned: Because of its high quality, it probably won’t stay around for very long.
The optimal way to refrigerate cold brew is to place it in an airtight container within the refrigerator. Do NOT store homemade cold brew at room temperature! Also, make sure you brew with fresh coffee grounds. Ground coffee beans remain fresh for quite some time (normally about a couple of months) compared to prepared coffee. If you do a cold brew with fresh, coarse grounds, however, you will get better tasting results.
It’s strong.
Is cold brew stronger? As with anything in life, it depends. Typically, hot coffee and cold brew have roughly equal levels of caffeine. Iced coffee on the other hand, can sometimes be weakened because of dilution, yet some people enjoy brewing a more robust cup before it is chilled.
The amount of caffeine in cold brew coffee depends on the mixture’s ration; if the concentrate is not diluted and is 1:3, it can have more caffeine than a weaker, watered-down iced coffee. The caffeine content of a cup of coffee could vary depending on how it was brewed.
It’s versatile.
It is suitable for making a variety of dishes, particularly desserts.
It’s refreshing without being watery.
No drowning in ice cubes for you, beloved coffee!
How to Make the Best Cold Brew Coffee
The task of achieving the desired results can seem daunting, but all that is required is a measure of perseverance and the right supplies. Let’s walk through it.
Can you use regular coffee beans to make cold brew?
It is feasible to make cold brew using everyday coffee beans, so using your much-loved coffee is an ideal point to begin! However, we recommend using coarse ground coffee beans. If you use either normal or finely blended coffee beans, you’ll end up with a bit of thick, coarse particles in the bottom of your cold brew container. Things won’t be catastrophic when you arrive at the bottom of the jar, but it certainly won’t be very appetizing. Making coffee with coffee grounds that are very finely milled can make the procedure ever so slightly more laborious.
How do you find coarsely ground coffee beans? Here are 3 options:
- Buy them already coarsely ground. While this option may not be widely available at your local grocery store, you can often find coarsely ground beans on Amazon by searching for ‘coarse grind coffee beans’ or ‘cold brew coffee beans.’ You can also check your local coffee roaster, who may be able to grind the beans for you!
- Grind them yourself. Your next option is grinding the beans yourself. If you are very particular about your coffee, or like one specific brand, this may be your best bet. Luckily, coffee grinders are easy to use and you don’t need an expensive one! Look for one in the $20-$30 range like this one.
- Use the bulk coffee section of your grocery store. Many grocery stores have a bulk coffee section where you can buy beans and grind them right there. The grinders have settings from fine espresso to coarse grind, so you don’t have to invest in your own grinder! As a bonus, these beans are often cheaper than what you buy pre-bagged and are just as good, if not better, quality.
The Best Beans for Cold Brew
The kind of beans you decide to use can greatly influence the excellence of your cold brew! Cold brew coffee is less acidic, allowing the characteristic tastes of the beverage to stand out more than traditional coffee does. If you decide to go with a subpar coffee, you will definitely be able to perceive the substandard flavor. For this reason, we recommend using a high-quality coffee. It might be pricier, however you are still going to end up spending less than if you bought at the supermarket or cafe.
- 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.
- 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.
The Perfect Ratio for Cold Brew Coffee
The basis of creating the ultimate cold brew is the beans; however, the right ratio of coffee to water is also essential. It is possible to craft cold brew using two methods, which should be based on the size of the vessel, the drinker’s strength preference and how much coffee is needed.
- Ratio for Cold Brew Concentrate
Generally speaking, it is often discovered that cold brew sold in stores is actually a concentrated form. You must mix it with water before consuming, or you’ll have a potent and highly caffeinated mug of coffee. We advise utilizing this strategy when you have a smaller receptacle, like a Mason jar or French press (read on for further insight about this!). To make a concentrated coffee, you should use a two-to-one ratio of water to coffee – for instance, two glasses of water and one glass of coffee.
- Ratio for Ready-to-Drink Cold Brew
If you have a bigger container, it might be more convenient to make iced coffee that is already prepared so that it is ready faster. For this situation, you want a 4:1 proportion, which means 4 cups of icy water to 1 cup of coffee.
What to Make Your Coffee In
The next step you should take is to determine what you will use to create your cold brew! Below are a few of our favorite vessels:
Good: The Mason Jar Method
If you are a beginner, a mason jar is ideal to experiment with creating your initial cold brew concoctions.
- What You’ll Need: 2-quart mason jar, coffee filters, fine mesh strainer
- The Method: Combine 1 cup coarsely ground coffee with 2 cups of cold water, then seal, shake, and refrigerate. After 12-24 hours, line the fine mesh strainer with a coffee filter, then pour the coffee through to separate out the grounds. It is ready to drink!
- Pros: This method is relatively straightforward, and uses pieces that you likely already have around the house.
- Cons: Straining out the coffee can be a bit messy, and I always found myself avoiding doing it. Plus, a mason jar isn’t the easiest thing to pour out of and I often found myself spilling coffee everywhere!
Better: The French Press Method
This technique is ideal for those who are just beginning and don’t want to make a huge quantity of cold brew.
- What You’ll Need: All you’ll need here is a French press!
- The Method: Combine 1 cup of coarsely ground coffee with 2 cups of water, cover, and refrigerate. After 12-24 hours, place the top on the French press and plunge it down to strain out the coffee grounds. Pour the coffee into a separate container and discard the grounds.
- Pros: This method is straightforward, only requires one piece of equipment, and straining is a breeze! Plus, you can use your French press to make delicious hot coffee as well.
- Cons: Discarding the coffee grounds can get a little messy – especially since you aren’t supposed to put them down your sink.
Best: The Cold Brew Coffee Maker
This is my personal favorite method! I can make a substantial portion of cold brew coffee with minimal effort and without the need to clean up after removing the coffee grounds. You even have cold brew available straight from the tap – how great is that?! If you plan to make cold brew frequently, investing in a cold brew dispenser is a good idea.
- What You’ll Need: 1-Gallon Cold Brew Coffee Maker
- The Method: Fill the filter with 4 cups of coarsely ground coffee, then pour in about 13 cups of water. Refrigerate for 12-24 hours, then remove the filter, discard the coffee grounds, fill the pitcher with 3 more cups of water, and place back in the refrigerator. This will create a ready-to-drink brew!
- Pros: You can make a huge batch (about 16 servings), because we go through coffee quickly. Plus, it’s ready to drink which makes it quicker to prepare my coffee. This is also the least messy method of getting rid of those coffee grounds.
- Cons: This can definitely get a bit heavy, you have to make sure you turn the dispenser all the way so it doesn’t drip, and it is not good for making a coffee concentrate, because the water won’t fully cover the coffee grounds at a 2:1 ratio.