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Active Time:5 minsTotal Time:1 dayServings:4Jump to Nutrition Facts
Active Time:5 minsTotal Time:1 dayServings:4
Active Time:5 mins
Active Time:
5 mins
Total Time:1 day
Total Time:
1 day
Servings:4
Servings:
4
Jump to Nutrition Facts
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What Is Cold Brew Coffee?
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What’s the Difference Between Cold Brew and Iced Coffee?
While cold brew is cold from start to finish, traditionaliced coffeestarts with hot-brewed coffee that’s cooled and then served over ice. Any sort of brewed coffee, including drip, pour-over and espresso, can be the starting point of iced coffee.
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Why Should You Make Cold Brew Coffee?
Cold brew is popular for its super-smooth, round flavor—it often tastes sweet even without added sugar. Some people also find that it’s easier on their stomachs because it tends to beless acidicthan traditionally brewed coffee. “I like that cold brew is simple and easy to make, no matter what level of coffee connoisseur or drinker you are,” says Kappler.
She adds that, while Roasting Plant has special equipment called a FlashChiller for making iced coffee, making traditional iced coffee without special equipment can yield oxidized, bitter or diluted-tasting coffee. That makes cold brew “an effective preparation method for the coffee drinker [who wants a cold cup of coffee and] doesn’t have lots of coffee machinery or equipment at home.”
Kappler also likes the fact that cold brew can be made ahead in big batches, which makes it great for entertaining.
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How Much Caffeine Is in Cold Brew?
While how much caffeine is in a particular cup of cold brew will vary based on the specific beans, roast, ratio of ground coffee to water and brew time, cold brew does typically have more caffeine than traditionally brewed coffee, despite its deceptively smooth taste. “The longer steep time combined with larger coffee dose results in more caffeine in cold brew,” says Kappler.
What Equipment Do You Need for Making Cold Brew?
To make cold brew, you’ll need a container to brew it in—a large glass jar, such as a mason jar, works well. You’ll also need something to strain the coffee with, such as cheesecloth, a flour sack, a thin dish towel, metal coffee filter, paper coffee filter or fine-mesh sieve. Kappler says that the finer the strainer, the smoother your coffee will be. You can also make cold brew in a French press, which serves as both a container and the filter.
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What Is the Correct Cold Brew Coffee-to-Water Ratio?
How Long Does Cold Brew Last?
After you’ve filtered your cold brew, store it in a tightly sealed container in the fridge. While Kappler advises storing cold brew for no more than 24 hours for the best flavor, other experts say you can keep it anywhere from 3 days to 2 weeks. Let your own taste buds guide you.
How to Serve Cold Brew Coffee
“Cold brew is of course served best over a big glass of ice,” says Kappler. “I don’t like to add much other than that, but you can of course add your favorite milk or flavoring.” If you prefer a more diluted drink, feel free to add water to your cold brew. Or take Kappler’s recommendation and add half-and-half or a thickoat milk, such as a barista blend.
While some people like to heat their cold brew, Kappler isn’t a fan of this approach—she says you’re better off making yourself something like pour-over if you want hot coffee, since rewarmed cold brew “will taste like a hybrid between instant coffee and a hot brewed coffee.”
Cold Brew Coffee Tips
Buy Freshly Roasted Beans
“The closer to freshly roasted the coffee is, the smoother the cold brew will be, with no bitterness,” says Kappler. “If you want to know when your coffee shop’s beans were roasted, just ask!” She recommends buying beans that were roasted no more than 10 days before you buy them.
Grind Your Beans Fresh
Like with other coffee brewing methods, cold brew tastes best if you grind the beans fresh. Grinding your own beans also gives you control over the coarseness of the grind. “A coarse ground is preferred for making cold brew, especially if using a French press,” says Kappler. “The best way to achieve this is with a burr grinder like a Baratza or a Timemore hand grinder that allows you to fully customize the grind.”
Seal It Tightly
When brewing cold brew, keep the container tightly sealed to keep as much air away from the coffee as possible. Kappler also likes to put a piece of plastic film right on the surface of the coffee-water blend to help prevent oxidation. Sealing the container tightly will also help to keep your cold brew from picking up fridge odors.
Keep It Cool
Cook Mode(Keep screen awake)Ingredients4ouncesfreshly roasted coffee beans (about 1 1/4 cups)4cupsfiltered water (32 ounces), at room temperature (see Tip)Milk or creamer of choice, additional waterand/orice cubes (optional)
Cook Mode(Keep screen awake)
Ingredients
4ouncesfreshly roasted coffee beans (about 1 1/4 cups)
4cupsfiltered water (32 ounces), at room temperature (see Tip)
Milk or creamer of choice, additional waterand/orice cubes (optional)
DirectionsCoarsely grind coffee beans and place the grounds in a glass jar or other container (or French press). Pour water over the ground beans. Use a spoon to mix the coffee in the water until all of the grounds are soaked.Place the lid on the container. (If using a French press, you can put the lid on—without depressing the plunger—or tightly cover it.)Steep the coffee in the refrigerator until it’s the desired strength, 18 to 24 hours.Pour the coffee through a filter or fine-mesh strainer to remove the grounds. (If using a French press, plunge the coffee as you would for a traditional hot brew and then pour the coffee into another container so it’s no longer in contact with the grounds.)Serve the cold brew as is, dilute it with water, serve over ice and/or add your favorite milk or creamer.To make aheadRefrigerate in an airtight container for up to 1 week.EquipmentDigital scale; coffee grinder; large, lidded glass jar (or French press); large spoon; strainer (such as cheesecloth, flour sack, thin dish towel, metal coffee filter, paper coffee filter or fine-mesh sieve)TipFeel free to experiment with the ratio of coffee to water if you like a stronger or weaker brew.Originally appeared: EatingWell.com, April 2023
Directions
Coarsely grind coffee beans and place the grounds in a glass jar or other container (or French press). Pour water over the ground beans. Use a spoon to mix the coffee in the water until all of the grounds are soaked.Place the lid on the container. (If using a French press, you can put the lid on—without depressing the plunger—or tightly cover it.)Steep the coffee in the refrigerator until it’s the desired strength, 18 to 24 hours.Pour the coffee through a filter or fine-mesh strainer to remove the grounds. (If using a French press, plunge the coffee as you would for a traditional hot brew and then pour the coffee into another container so it’s no longer in contact with the grounds.)Serve the cold brew as is, dilute it with water, serve over ice and/or add your favorite milk or creamer.To make aheadRefrigerate in an airtight container for up to 1 week.EquipmentDigital scale; coffee grinder; large, lidded glass jar (or French press); large spoon; strainer (such as cheesecloth, flour sack, thin dish towel, metal coffee filter, paper coffee filter or fine-mesh sieve)TipFeel free to experiment with the ratio of coffee to water if you like a stronger or weaker brew.
Coarsely grind coffee beans and place the grounds in a glass jar or other container (or French press). Pour water over the ground beans. Use a spoon to mix the coffee in the water until all of the grounds are soaked.
Place the lid on the container. (If using a French press, you can put the lid on—without depressing the plunger—or tightly cover it.)
Steep the coffee in the refrigerator until it’s the desired strength, 18 to 24 hours.
Pour the coffee through a filter or fine-mesh strainer to remove the grounds. (If using a French press, plunge the coffee as you would for a traditional hot brew and then pour the coffee into another container so it’s no longer in contact with the grounds.)
Serve the cold brew as is, dilute it with water, serve over ice and/or add your favorite milk or creamer.
To make ahead
Refrigerate in an airtight container for up to 1 week.
Equipment
Digital scale; coffee grinder; large, lidded glass jar (or French press); large spoon; strainer (such as cheesecloth, flour sack, thin dish towel, metal coffee filter, paper coffee filter or fine-mesh sieve)
Tip
Feel free to experiment with the ratio of coffee to water if you like a stronger or weaker brew.
Originally appeared: EatingWell.com, April 2023
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Nutrition Facts(per serving)11Calories
Nutrition Facts(per serving)
- Daily Values (DVs) are the recommended amounts of nutrients to consume each day. Percent Daily Value (%DV) found on nutrition labels tells you how much a serving of a particular food or recipe contributes to each of those total recommended amounts. Per the Food and Drug Administration (FDA), the daily value is based on a standard 2,000 calorie diet. Depending on your calorie needs or if you have a health condition, you may need more or less of particular nutrients. (For example, it’s recommended that people following a heart-healthy diet eat less sodium on a daily basis compared to those following a standard diet.)
(-) Information is not currently available for this nutrient. If you are following a special diet for medical reasons, be sure to consult with your primary care provider or a registered dietitian to better understand your personal nutrition needs.
