Are you interested in trying Cold Brew Coffee but want to know what the best types of coffee for cold brew are before you try it? We go in depth in this post to help you choose which one is best for you.
Cold brew coffee is made when you steep the coffee grounds at room temperature or cold water for 12-24 hours. It creates a much richer, smooth tasting cup of coffee. Cold brew tends to be less acidic and can be saved in the refrigerator for up to 5 days.
Many people have switched to cold brew lately due to its many health benefits. However, if you make the switch, you will want to pick the best beans for your brew.
What is Cold Brew Coffee?
Cold brew coffee is not iced coffee. They are two separate things. Cold brew is made when you steep the grounds in cold water for 12-24 hours. Iced coffee is made when you pour hot coffee over ice.
Cold brew coffee never touches hot water.
To brew, you will need a French Press or a Cold Brew Coffee Maker. You will take your grounds and room temperature water, then combine them in the cold brew maker. Then, you let it steep for up to 16 hours and store the leftovers in the refrigerator. You can steep it for 24 hours and it will be fine but you will get a more woody flavor when you do it that long.
After you brew, the coffee grounds will be filtered out by your maker unless you use a mason jar to brew. They will settle to the bottom or you can filter it yourself before you drink it.
Cold brew is far less acidic than other brewing methods so if you have a sensitivity to coffee, this may be your best choice.
I’m also sorry to disappoint you when I say that Cold Brew probably has less caffeine due to the fact that more caffeine is extracted when you brew with hot water.
What Types of Coffee to use for Cold Brew
This is really just a matter of personal preference. You can choose whatever bean you prefer but it’s probably going to be best to try several before you decide on a favorite.
Coffee is very complex. There are so many factors that come into play when choosing the right bean.
- Bean Variety
- Origin
- Elevation it was grown in
- How it was picked
- How they processed
- Roasting method
- How it is stored
Some prefer a darker roast because it will give a much richer flavor that can be earthy, chocolaty, or nutty. The robust flavors from a dark roast are going to be great in cold brew.
Dark roast is my personal favorite for cold brew as well as Pour Over coffee.
Dark roast tends to be cheaper as well which can make trying it out easier on the wallet.
If you choose a lighter roast, it is going to a take longer extraction time to bring out the floral and fruity flavors. They are also more expensive. This doesn’t mean you can’t use them, just remember you need to steep it longer.
Why You Should Grind Your Own Beans
Absolutely. Let me explain. A coarse grind is preferred for cold brew. In order to achieve this, you will need to grind the beans yourself. Course grinds will look similar to sea salt.
If you use a fine grind, you will get a bitter cup of coffee from cold brew.
When you use a coarse grind, the water will be able to extract all the flavors from the coffee bean.
How you Store your Coffee Beans Matter
Yes, it does matter how you store your beans and how old they are. Some would say that for cold brew it doesn’t matter. I personally believe the fresher the bean the better the brew no matter what method you choose.
If you want to maximize the freshness of your beans, here are a few tips:
- Store them in Original Bag
- Keep the bag fully sealed and rolled tight
- Use a dark, air tight container if the original bag isn’t available
- Store in a cool place
- Never use glass for storage
The age of the bean can also matter because the coffee will lose oils and dry out. You will get a cup that is stale and has much less flavor.
Best Tips for Making Cold Brew
If you want to have the best cup of cold brew, here are some of my best tips:
- Use Coarse Grounds
- Steep for at least 12 hours
- Use Filtered Water
- Use Fresh Coffee (dark roast is my preference)
Cold Brew Recipe
Step One:
Coarsely grind your bean of choice (1 cup). Its best to hand grind but if you don’t have a hand grinder, you can grind with an electric grinder but be sure to pulse it to achieve a coarse grind.
Step Two:
Combine with room temperature water. You will want to use between 3 1/2 to 4 cups of water. Make sure you stir the grounds to be sure they all get wet.
Step Three:
Steep for 12-24 hours but at least 2 hours (I recommend 16 hours). You can leave the container on the counter or place it in the refrigerator for this part. It does best on the counter.
Step Four:
Strain the coffee. If your maker doesn’t have a strainer, you can use a coffee filter. I would rinse the filter first to remove any contaminants. (French Press Makers work well with Cold Brew)
Then you can pour your cold brew into your cup and store the rest for up to 5 days in the refrigerator.
Cold Brew Coffee
Instructions
- Coarsley grind 1 cup of your favorite coffee beans
- Combine Coffee grounds with room temperature water
- Steep for 12-24 hours (16 is what I do)
- Strain and Enjoy!
Notes
I hope now you know how to make cold brew and this makes you want to try some. I promise you won’t be disappointed. There is nothing more refreshing than a cool cup of fresh cold brew.
If you have tried Cold Brew, comment below and tell us what kind of coffee bean you prefer and your steep time. I love to hear all the different ways people brew.
