WHAT IS COLD BREW COFFEE? UNVEILING IN-DEPTH BREWING SECRETS

Cold brew coffee has taken the world by storm in the last decade. Let’s discover why!

Cold brew coffee is coffee that has been brewed with cold water, a simple difference that completely changes the coffee-drinking experience. Typically brewed as a concentrate and diluted, cold brew is beloved for its naturally smooth and sweet flavors.

If you want to add cold brew to your repertoire of refreshing caffeinated drinks this summer, keep reading for a complete rundown on this delicious and healthy coffee drink – including a recipe!

What Is Cold Brew Coffee?

Cold brew coffee is coffee that has been brewed without hot water. This requires a much longer brew time to ensure a complete extraction, typically between 12 and 24 hours. 

The resulting drink has a distinct flavor profile characterized by a natural sweetness and low acidity. This is because certain acids and oils present in coffee beans can only be extracted by hot water.

Traditional cold brew is made by steeping coffee grounds in cold or room temperature water for the duration of the brew time. Kyoto-style cold brew – also known as slow-drip cold brew – is another variation in which cold water is slowly dripped over medium-ground coffee for up to 24 hours.

Should You Dilute Cold Brew?

Cold brew is most often prepared as a concentrate, which should definitely be diluted before drinking. You can drink cold brew concentrate like a shot of espresso if you need a quick caffeine wallop, but the flavor won’t be properly balanced.

The dilution ratio depends on your taste and the intensity of the concentrate. A standard recommendation is 1:2. So, for example, dilute 2 ounces of concentrate with 4 ounces of cold water or milk.

Is Cold Brew Stronger Than Regular Coffee?

Cold brew concentrate is much stronger than regular coffee in both flavor and caffeine content because more coffee beans are used in the preparation. 

A standard recipe for coffee concentrate uses a ratio of between 1:2 and 1:4 – one part coffee to two to four parts water – resulting in a caffeine concentration of upwards of 500 mg per 8-ounce cup. The recommended safe caffeine intake for an adult is 400 mg daily, so definitely dilute your concentrate!

In comparison, regular coffee is commonly brewed using a ratio of 1:17, giving a caffeine concentration of approximately 120 mg per 8 oz.

However, if prepared using the same amount of coffee beans, the caffeine content of cold brew is lower than regular coffee by approximately 10%. Hot water extracts caffeine from the beans slightly more effectively than cold water.

One reason cold brew has a reputation for being highly caffeinated is that it is much easier than hot coffee to drink very fast and in large quantities, so it can lead to more pronounced cases of the caffeine jitters.

If you’re trying to reduce your caffeine intake, you can always use decaffeinated beans to make decaf cold brew at home.

How Do You Make Cold Brew Coffee?

Cold brewing is one of the easiest ways to make coffee at home. No special equipment is needed – not even a kettle! But you can purchase a cold brew coffee maker or use a French press to facilitate the process.

Here’s a quick step-by-step guide, but I recommend reading my full cold brew coffee recipe for the details.

1. Grind one cup of coffee beans to a coarse setting.
2. Combine coarsely ground coffee with five cups of water in a mason jar.
3. Stir the grounds well and put the jar in the fridge.
4. Leave to steep for 16 hours.
5. Strain and filter into a clean jar using cheesecloth or a paper filter.
6. Dilute with water, milk, or ice to serve.

Related: How Do You Make Coffee Without A Coffee Maker?

What Is The Ratio For Cold Brew?

A standard cold brew ratio is 1:5, meaning that for any amount of coffee you use, you need five times the amount of water. This yields a medium-strength brew that can be diluted or sipped straight.

However, cold coffee should be prepared to the taste of the individual. For a milder brew similar to regular coffee, cold brew can be prepared at a coffee to water ratio of 1:8 up to 1:15. For cold brew concentrate, try a ratio between 1:2 and 1:4.

How Many Hours Should You Wait for Brewing?

How long to brew cold brew depends on the brewing temperature, grind size, and type of beans used. You may need to experiment to find the precise flavor you want. I’d recommend 12 to 18 hours for coffee brewed at room temperature and 18 to 24 hours for coffee brewed in the fridge. Slow-drip cold brew is often faster, taking as little as 4 to 12 hours.

Should You Stir Cold Brew While Steeping?

You should only stir cold brew at the start of the brewing process, when initially combining the water and coffee grounds, to ensure the grounds are fully saturated. Otherwise, air bubbles will reduce contact between the ground coffee beans and the water, resulting in an under-extracted brew.

Stirring during steeping can cause the coffee grounds to sink to the bottom of the jar prematurely, preventing the coffee from extracting correctly. This can result in a weak and watery coffee.

What Are The Benefits Of Cold Brew Coffee?

The benefits of cold brew coffee for your health are the same as regular drip coffee. Short-term benefits include increased energy and alertness and an improved metabolism. Long-term benefits of drinking coffee include a lower risk of diseases, including type 2 diabetes, certain cancers, Alzheimer’s, and Parkinson’s (1). 

Many sufferers of acid reflux, heartburn, and indigestion find it easier on their stomach than hot brewed coffee – though the evidence here is primarily anecdotal.

The taste of cold brew can also have benefits for your health. Because cold brew is less acidic and less bitter than regular coffee, people often drink it without sugar or creamer.

Why is cold brew less acidic than hot brew?

Cold brew tastes less acidic than hot brew because certain compounds in coffee beans are only extracted by hot water. These compounds tend to be the ones responsible for bright and acidic flavors. For example, quinic acid, which can contribute astringent notes to a brew, is only released in brew temperatures above 140°F.

However, it is important not to confuse acidity, as defined scientifically, with acidic flavor notes. Cold brew coffee might taste less acidic than hot brew, but chemists have shown that the actual pH values of hot and cold-brewed coffees are similar (2).

What’s So Special About Cold Brew?

Cold brew coffee has a long history, but its popularity has soared in the past decade. This is largely due to its low acidity and naturally smooth and sweet taste. 

It is also being swept along in the current craze for ready to drink (RTD) coffee beverages (3). Cold brew concentrate has a long shelf life and can easily be canned or bottled for retail grocery stores. Consumers can grab a bottled cold brew for a quick and delicious caffeine hit without the need for hot water.

What is the Difference Between Cold Brew and Iced Coffee?

The key distinction between cold brew and iced coffee is the temperature of the brewing water. Cold brew, as you now know, is brewed with cold water. Iced coffee is made using hot water, then chilled and served cold over ice. The different extraction methods can yield quite different flavor profiles, even using the very same coffee beans!

For more information, read my guide to cold brew vs iced coffee.

Final Thoughts

Cold brew coffee is a wonderfully refreshing way to enjoy your favorite beans. Cold brewing extracts a different flavor from the beans, yielding an ultra-smooth and sweet brew. 

Next time there’s a heat wave rolling in, I suggest you make a big batch of cold brew concentrate so you can ride it out in cold caffeinated bliss!