Beginner
Your Cold Brew Guide
When summer's heat is in full swing, you may not be craving hot coffee (unlike me, who drinks hot coffee all year long). But that doesn't mean you need to sacrifice your caffeine fix! Cold Brew coffee is the answer: smooth, refreshing, and naturally sweeter than its hot counterpart.
Why Cold Brew?
Less acidic: Cold brewing results in a naturally sweeter, less acidic coffee, making it easier on the stomach.
Smooth flavor: The slow steeping process extracts the coffee's nuanced flavors without the bitterness often associated with hot brewing.
Versatile: Cold brew is delicious on its own, but it's also a great base for iced lattes, coffee cocktails, and even desserts.
Let's dive into how to make your own perfect batch at home:
What you'll need:
Coarsely ground coffee beans (about 1 cup)
Cold, filtered water (about 4 cups)
A large container (like a pitcher or mason jar)
A fine-mesh sieve or cheesecloth
Instructions:
Combine the coffee and water: In your container, mix the coffee grounds with the water. Give it a quick stir to ensure all the grounds are wet.
Steep: Cover the container and let it steep at room temperature for 12-24 hours. The longer you steep, the stronger the flavor.
Strain: Line your sieve or cheesecloth over a separate container. Slowly pour the coffee mixture through the strainer, making sure to capture all the grounds.
Store: Transfer the strained cold brew to a clean container and refrigerate. It will stay fresh for up to two weeks.
Serve: Dilute the cold brew concentrate with water or milk to your desired strength. Add ice, and enjoy!
Tips and Tricks:
Coffee-to-water ratio: Experiment to find your ideal strength. A good starting point is a 1:4 ratio of coffee to water.
Grind size: Coarsely ground coffee is essential for cold brew to avoid the coffee becoming over-extracted, which may make it bitter. If you buy pre-ground coffee, it may be too fine. My recommendation is to either grind your own or have the beans ground.
Flavor variations: Try adding a pinch of salt, a cinnamon stick, or a vanilla bean to the steeping mixture for extra flavor.
Nitro cold brew: If you have a whipped cream dispenser and nitrogen cartridges, you can easily make nitro cold brew at home for a creamy, frothy texture. I never realized you could do this until I started doing some research. Here’s a great video on making Nitro coffee. Note this video was made in 2020. I did go onto Amazon to see if there were other options for adding the Nitrogen to the coffee, and there are so if you are interested, I would check it out by searching Nitro Coffee.
Let’s talk beans for a moment because they are the heart and soul of cold brew.
Characteristics of Beans Ideal for Cold Brew:
Medium Roast: This roast level offers a balance of flavor and acidity, essential for cold brew as the extended steeping time can amplify both.
Flavor Notes: Look for beans with chocolatey, nutty, or fruity notes, as these tend to shine in cold brew.
Here Are Some Recommended Brands: (these are reference links and not affiliate links)
Kicking Horse Coffee - Three Sisters: A medium roast with notes of chocolate and fruit, this organic and fair-trade coffee delivers a smooth, well-balanced cold brew. They are located in British Columbia Canada right in the Rocky Mountains.
Klatch Coffee - Crazy Goat Blend: This bold blend with notes of dark chocolate and toffee offers a robust, full-bodied cold brew. Klatch Coffee is a family-owned business located in Southern California
Peet's Coffee - Baridi Blend: Crafted specifically for cold brew, this blend features bright, juicy East African coffees. If you have Peet’s Coffee in your grocery store, they probably won’t carry this. Instead, you can go to one of their retail stores or order online.
Starbucks - Kenya: A medium roast with juicy and complex flavors, this single origin coffee provides a refreshing and vibrant cold brew. This is one of my favorites for Cold Brew. You can usually find this in the retail stores, and if not at your local shop, you can find it on Amazon. Just remember to get the whole bean if you can so you can grind it fresh.
If you are looking for regional coffee and you live in New England, here are some options.:
New England Coffee: This local roaster offers a variety of blends and single origins, many of which work well for cold brew. You may be able to find this in local grocery stores, or you can order it online on their website. Did you know New England Coffee was founded in 1916 in Boston? Learn something new every day.
George Howell Coffee: This Boston-based roaster offers a curated selection of single-origin and blended coffees that are excellent for cold brewing. George Howell originally owned the “Coffee Connections” coffee shot chain that was sold to Starbucks. He is still passionate about coffee and opened this roastery in 2004. You can find this coffee on the website, or in Whole Foods.
Ultimately, the best beans for cold brew depend on your personal taste preferences. Don't be afraid to experiment and try different beans and roasts until you find your perfect cup!
Cold brew coffee is a refreshing way to enjoy your daily coffee, especially during the warmer months, but it is equally good all year round. With a little planning and some simple equipment, you can easily make your own delicious cold brew at home.
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