Cold brew coffee

Is your coffee routine feeling a little same-y? Or maybe you’re just looking to try something different. Well, look no further. If you’ve never tried it cold brew coffee could be exactly what you’re looking for.

I know, because I recently got back in touch with cold brew. For ages I adored it, and told anyone who would stand still long enough to listen. But then, I just moved on. Well now I’m back and cold brew is front and center.

So I guess you are wondering, what’s all the fuss? And just what is cold brew coffee? Do you really need to clutter your fridge with jars of brewing coffee?

What is Cold Brew Coffee?

Cold brew coffee is made by soaking coarse ground coffee beans in room-temperature or cold water for several hours – typically 12 hours or more. Unlike traditional hot brewed coffee, cold brew’s unique brewing process creates a smooth, mellow flavor that’s less acidic and bitter than regular coffee.

The slow brewing process produces a coffee that can be drunk as it is or with added milk, cream or flavorings to create delicious cold coffee drinks.

What is the Best Ratio for Cold Brew Coffee?

When cold brewing, it’s important to choose the right ratio of coffee grounds to water. The exact ratio will depend on individual tastes and desired strength, but typically cold brew recipes use a 1:4  to 1:10 (or higher) coffee-to-water ratio. So, for a concentrated intense flavor,for every ten grams of coffee, you’ll use four or five grams of cold water. For example, if you’re cold brewing 10g (0.35oz) of coffee grounds, then you’d need 40-50g (1.4-1.7oz) of cold water.

When cold brewing the beans should be coarsely ground. This allows for optimal extraction and helps to prevent over-extraction. If you use a finer grind (like you would for traditional drip methods) then it will result in a weaker cold brew with less flavor.

By experimenting with different ratios of coffee to water, you can fine tune cold brew to your individual tastes. If you like a strong cold brew, try a 1:3 or 1:2 ratio. For a less concentrated cold brew, use a 1:5 or 1:6 ratio. You can also adjust the grind size and steep time to your liking as well.

Yield

This varies according to the amount of water, grind size and brew time. But its going to be around half of the amount of water you put in. So, if you start with 240 grams of water, you will end up with about 120 grams of brewed coffee.

Best coffee for cold brew

To enjoy a cold brew you need to get the basics right, and nothing is more important than the beans you choose. Above all use fresh coffee. and grind the beans just before use to preserve more flavor and aroma.

The beans you choose are just as important. I always go for beans with the ability to deliver the very best flavors and aromas in my cold brew. Here are my current favorites:

1. Ethiopian Yirgacheffe Coffee Beans – these are great cold brew coffee beans with citrus and floral aromas. Plus, so sweet flavors of chocolate, honey or caramel.
2. Colombian Supremo Coffee Beans – medium roast Arabica beans with caramel and citrus flavors, ending with a chocolatey finish, making it perfect for cold brewing.
3. Guatemalan Antigua Coffee Beans – you’ll start with a deep chocolate aroma, then taste hazelnut, caramel and exotic fruits. Just lie back and enjoy!

Types of cold brew

There are two main types of cold brew coffee: regular cold brew and nitro cold brew.

Regular cold brew

It’s made by soaking coarse ground coffee beans in room-temperature or cold water for several hours. That makes it the easiest – if slowest way of making great tasting coffee.

Cold-brew coffee became popular in the United States in recent years, cold brew concentrate can be found in many cafes and even some grocery stores. Making cold brew coffee at home is also fairly simple as you will see below.

Nitro cold brew (nitrogen infused coffee)

Start by brewing a regular cold brew, but then pass nitrogen gas through it (inside a purpose built pressure canister) and you have nitro coffee.

Many people consider it a passing fad (have they actually tried it?), nitro coffee has a sensational, creamy texture and sweet flavor with the texture of velvet.

Struggling to imagine what I’m saying? If you’ve seen the Guinness advert, and who hasn’t? You will know it’s a creamy velvety beer. Nitro is the coffee equivalent. It’s a sweet mellow, velvety and creamy coffee.

It has been a rapid success and has been spread across the States’ by cafes and specialty coffee shops.

Why you should try cold brew coffee

There are plenty of good reasons to try cold brew coffee.

Smooth and mellow

It’s incredibly smooth, mellow and flavorful. That’s because  the beans are never exposed to heat during the brewing process, which would pull out all the bitter and acidic notes.

Surprisingly complex

Cold brew has a surprisingly complex flavor, taking out the bitterness and acidity lets out the other flavors within the coffee. Giving you a cup bursting with the taste of fruits and chocolate and toffee – depending on the beans you start with.

More caffeine

I bet you didn’t see this coming? You’ll get an extra caffeine kick. The cold brewing process creates to a higher concentration of caffeine in the brewed coffee. So if you need an early (or late) energy boost, cold brew coffee might be the way to go.

Health benefits

Studies have shown that the lower acidity levels in cold brewed coffee make it easier on your stomach and less likely to cause indigestion. Plus it’s packed with antioxidants, which can help protect your body against disease.

So simple to make

Making cold brew coffee at home is simple and only requires a few ingredients and pieces of equipment. Sure, you can buy fancy kit. But until you know you want to drink cold brew regularly, there’s no need to invest.

How to Make Cold Brew Coffee at home

Making cold brew coffee at home is really simple. All you need is a container, some coarsely ground coffee beans, cold water, and a little patience. Here’s a basic recipe to get you started:

Equipment

• 1 16oz mason jar alternatively, a drip coffee maker
• 2 coffee filter papers
• 1 large funnel
• 1 mug or glass

Ingredients

• 60 grams coffee beans
• 360 grams water

Method

1. Combine 1 cup of coarsely ground coffee beans with 6 cups of cold water in a large mason jar (a 16 oz. jar is great).
2. Stir the mixture and let it sit in the fridge or at room temperature for 12-24 hours.
3. When you are ready, line a strainer with cheesecloth and place it over a bowl. Or you could use coffee filter papers and a funnel, like I do.
4. Pour the brewed coffee through the strainer to remove the grounds.
5. If you brewed in the fridge you can go straight to the next step. But if you brewed at room temperature you need to chill it in the fridge for an hour.
6. Remember, you started with a ration of 1:6 – 1 cup ground coffee to 6 cups of cold water. So you have made a coffee concentrate. Only hardcore coffee lovers would drink it like that. So you need to dilute it to taste.
7. Dilute the concentrate with water, milk or cream to taste and enjoy!

Top Tips for making cold brew at home

• Using a cold-brew dripper coffee maker can make it easier to make cold brew at home. Drippers slowly drip cold water over a bed of coffee grounds. The result is a smooth and flavorful cup of cold brew. And all with little fuss.
• Try to avoid using instant coffee powders to make your cold-brew coffee. Instant coffee is designed for hot brewing. Cold brewing instant coffee fails to extract enough flavor.
• The most convenient cold brew comes from canned store-bought brands.  These are ideal when you want to enjoy cold brew without waiting. But like any fast-food type of experience, you cannot beat the homemade version using fresh coarse ground coffee that you’ve chosen specially for its flavor.
• You can flavor cold brew pretty any way you want. Check out Starbucks menu for ideas and inspiration. Why not try your favorite flavored syrups, spices, or even mashed fruit.
• The coffee beans you use will have the biggest impact on flavor, so be sure to choose a high-quality bean that you enjoy. Only use them as fresh as you can. The grind size is vital – coarsely grind the beans to prevent over-extraction during the brewing process.

Mistakes to Avoid

• Remember, the coffee to water ratio is important. Brewed at 1:6 (coffee to water) or less is a concentrate, while 1:8 upwards cold brew is drinkable. Depending on how strong you like your coffee.
• Concentrated cold brew needs careful dilution – too much water or milk or cream results in something you will pour away. It’s better to add a little and taste until you get the coffe that suits you.
• If you grind the beans too fine, they will over-extract during the brewing process and produce a bitter cup of coffee. Be sure to use a coarse grind setting on your grinder to avoid this issue.
• Making too little is also a mistake that people often make. cold brew coffee can be stored in the fridge for up to 2 weeks, so it’s worth making a large batch at once. That way, it’s always on hand when you want it. Plus, once you start, you’ll want more!
• It needs to steep for at least 12 hours (and up to 24 hours) to reach full flavor. If you try to cut corners by brewing for a shorter time, you’ll end up with a weak and flavorless cup of coffee. So be patient and let your coffee brew for the full 12-24 hours.