Cold Brew
Full-immersion cold extraction steeps coffee grounds in cold water for hours, producing smooth, sweet, low-acid concentrate.
The Art of Steeping
Cold brew is like cold-steeping tea. Coarsely ground coffee is completely submerged in cold water and left to sit in the refrigerator or at room temperature for an extended period. Without hot water, extraction is very slow, so time takes the place of temperature.
Cold Brew vs. Iced Coffee vs. Cold Drip
- Cold brew: grounds steep in cold water the whole time — an immersion method
- Cold drip: ice water drips slowly through a bed of coffee — a percolation method, usually lighter and clearer
- Iced coffee: brewed hot, then cooled over ice, keeping more aroma and acidity
Flavor Highlights
- Exceptional sweetness: low-temperature extraction pulls out less bitterness and sharp acidity, giving a round, sweet cup
- Full, smooth body: velvety mouthfeel with rich chocolate and caramel notes
- Lower perceived acidity: research has found cold brew's pH is close to hot coffee, but it has less titratable acidity — so it tastes less acidic
Key Parameters
- Grind: coarse (like raw sugar); too fine makes filtering hard and the cup muddy
- Ratio: 1:4–1:8 for concentrate (dilute to serve); 1:10–1:15 ready to drink
- Steep time: 12–16 hours at room temperature; 18–24 hours refrigerated
- Water temperature: 4°C – 20°C
Step by Step
- Coarsely grind the beans and add them to a jar or filter bag
- Pour in cold water and stir gently so all the grounds are wet
- Cover and leave in the fridge or a cool place
- Filter through paper or cloth — cloth keeps more oils, paper gives a cleaner cup
- Dilute the concentrate 1:1 to 1:2 with water, ice or milk
Choosing Beans
Medium to dark roasts are most common, bringing chocolate, caramel and nutty flavors. A natural Ethiopian makes a fun alternative, with a juicy, berry-like cold brew.
Storage
Keep concentrate sealed in the refrigerator. It tastes best within 3–5 days, after which it oxidizes and goes flat. Because it never gets hot, use clean equipment and don't leave it at room temperature for long.
Variations
- Nitro cold brew: infused with nitrogen for a creamy, beer-like foam
- Cold brew with milk: add dairy or oat milk for extra sweetness