Cold brew coffee has taken the coffee world by storm in recent years, and for good reason. It’s smooth, less acidic, and has a naturally sweet flavour that’s perfect for hot summer days or whenever you want a refreshing coffee experience. It’s incredibly easy to make at home, and once you get the hang of it, you can tweak the recipe to suit your taste perfectly. In this blog, we’ll walk you through how to make the perfect cold brew coffee.
What is Cold Brew Coffee?
Cold brew coffee is made by steeping coarsely ground coffee beans in cold water for an extended period, usually 12 to 24 hours. Unlike traditional iced coffee, which is brewed hot and then cooled, cold brew is never exposed to heat. This slow extraction process results in a smooth, mellow, and full-bodied coffee concentrate that can be enjoyed over ice, diluted with water, or mixed with milk.
What You’ll Need
- Coarsely Ground Coffee
- Cold Water
- Cold Brew Coffee Maker or Large Jar
- Coffee Filter or Fine Mesh Strainer
- Pitcher or Carafe
Step-by-Step Guide to Making Cold Brew Coffee
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Choose Your Coffee Beans:
- Start with good-quality coffee beans. While you can use any roast, many people prefer medium to dark roasts for cold brew due to their richer, chocolatey flavours. Lighter roasts can work well too, offering bright, fruity notes.
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Grind the Coffee:
- Grind your coffee beans to a coarse consistency, similar to sea salt. A coarse grind is essential for cold brew, as it allows for slow extraction without making the coffee bitter.
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Combine Coffee and Water:
- If using a cold brew coffee maker, add the coffee grounds to the filter basket. For a jar, simply pour the grounds into the bottom. Use a ratio of about 1 cup of coarsely ground coffee to 4 cups of cold, filtered water.
- Stir gently to ensure all the coffee grounds are fully saturated.
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Steep the Coffee:
- Cover the jar or cold brew maker and let it steep at room temperature or in the fridge. The steeping time can range from 12 to 24 hours, depending on how strong you like your cold brew. The longer the steeping time, the stronger the coffee concentrate will be.
- If you’re steeping at room temperature, you can place the coffee in the fridge after the steeping is done to chill it.
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Strain the Coffee:
- If using a cold brew coffee maker, simply remove the filter basket and discard the grounds.
- If you used a jar, strain the coffee through a fine mesh strainer lined with a coffee filter or a piece of cheesecloth into a clean pitcher or carafe. This step removes the coffee grounds and any fine particles, leaving you with a smooth concentrate.
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Store the Cold Brew:
- Your cold brew concentrate can be stored in the fridge for up to two weeks. It’s best to keep it in an airtight container to maintain its freshness.
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Serve Your Cold Brew:
- Cold brew is typically served over ice. Since it’s a concentrate, you’ll want to dilute it with water, milk, or your favourite dairy-free alternative. A common ratio is 1 part cold brew to 1 part water or milk, but you can adjust this depending on your preference for strength.
- Add sweeteners, syrups, or flavourings like vanilla or caramel if desired.
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Experiment and Enjoy:
- Cold brew is incredibly versatile. Try it with different types of beans, mix it with tonic water for a fizzy twist, or even heat it up for a less acidic hot coffee.
Tips for the Perfect Cold Brew Coffee
- Use Fresh Coffee: Freshly ground coffee beans yield the best flavour. Try to grind your beans just before brewing.
- Adjust the Ratio: Feel free to experiment with the coffee-to-water ratio to find what suits your taste. More coffee will make a stronger brew, while less coffee will result in a lighter flavour.
- Cold vs. Room Temperature Steeping: Steeping in the fridge results in a slightly less bitter brew. If you prefer a stronger, richer flavour, steep at room temperature.
- Dilute to Taste: Cold brew concentrate can be quite strong. Experiment with different dilution ratios until you find the perfect balance for your taste.
