Top 10 Things to Know About Cold Brew Coffee for Beginners
- Not All Coffee Beans are Best for Cold Brew
Unlike hot coffee, which has endless varieties of great beans, cold brew has the best taste when brewed with specific coffee beans. The origin, blend, roast level, & grind size all contribute to the delicious cold brew taste which is uniquely smooth & sweet.
- Cold Brew Has More Caffeine than Hot
More caffeine you say? Yes, cold brew coffee has more of it than hot brewed. This primarily has to do with the fact that it takes more coffee to make cold brew. Cold Brew recipes use higher amounts of coffee beans to get the taste just right.
- It Has a Slower Extraction Process
Hot coffee typically takes about 15 minutes to brew. Cold brew coffee is soaked at room temperature or in the fridge for hours or even overnight, depending on taste preference. The process works much like steeping tea at room temperature. Once brewed, the beans are strained (or pressed) from the water, and all that’s left is tasty, less acidic cold coffee.
- It’s Easy to Make at Home (& more affordable!)
Save money by making it in your own kitchen. Soak your extra coarse grinds in cold water and strain after your desired brewing time. Then set it in the fridge until you’re ready for a glass. We love using a French Press to make it!
- It Can Last for Days in the Fridge
Cold brew coffee can last up to two weeks in your fridge. Hot coffee won’t even make it a day. The chemicals and compounds that break down when heat is applied to the beans cause hot coffee to go stale quickly. Cold brew coffee doesn’t have that problem.
- Cold Brew is Sweeter, Thanks to Chemistry
Boiling water (used to make hot coffee) cause’s the coffee’s chemical compounds to degrade & oxidize. This causes your cup of brew to have an acidic and bitter taste. With cold brewing, oxidation & degradation happen at a MUCH slower pace. This is why it has lower acidity levels and a sweeter taste.
- It’s Different from Iced Coffee
Don’t think of cold brew like you would iced coffee. Iced coffee is made when hot coffee is simply poured over ice. Cold brew has a different brewing process altogether.
- No one Knows for Sure Where it Came From
To this day no one knows the origins of cold brew coffee. Some say the Dutch are responsible, some argue it started in Japan.
- There Are Several Ways to Make It
Everyone from Amazon to Target offers cold brew coffee pitchers. Or, you can use a mason jar & a fine-mesh filter bag. You can even use a French Press (our preferred method). Using Cold Brew Lab’s coffee, mix one-part coarse ground coffee to four parts filtered cold water, and let the brewing begin.
- You Can Make a Concentrate or Regular Form
To brew a concentrate, use same 4:1 ratio of water to coffee and brew for 12 or more hours. This will create a very strong brew. To drink, just add water or milk to dilute it. Or if you’re really wanting a caffeine kick, drink it straight up.
What are you waiting for? It’s time to start making your own cold brew and join the rest of the world in enjoying this delectable alternative to your morning cup of joe.