COLD BREW BREWING GUIDE
Cold brew is exactly what it sounds like: brewing coffee in cold water for a long time. Ground coffee will extract faster and more efficiently with higher water temperatures. Cold brew compensates for the lack of high temperature with a longer brew time. But, we know that longer brew times can lead to over extraction (too many bitter solubles in your brew). Cold brew keeps that possibility in check by using a very coarse grind.
Because of the coarse grind and long brew time, cold brew creates a very full-bodied (heavier texture) and round coffee without much acidity. Some of the characteristics of the coffee you’re brewing with tend to be muted compared to a hot brew or flash-chilled coffee. Cold brew coffee is exceptionally smooth and rich, boasting a distinct “big” flavor that is all its own. Coffees with chocolatey and/or nutty notes lend themselves to a delicious cup of this cold coffee. We recommend our Tres Banderas Blend for cold brew.
This guide produces a cold brew concentrate that is best served diluted 50/50 with water or milk. This recipe produces enough concentrate for 3-4 servings.
RATIO: 1:4 (185g coffee, 750g water)
GRIND: Very coarse, like soft pretzel salt
WHAT YOU'LL NEED:
- Brewing Container (preferably glass)
- Fine Mesh Strainer
- Funnel (optional)
- Paper filter (optional)
- Coffee
- Scale
- Grinder
STEP 1
WEIGH & GRIND
Weigh out slightly more than 185 grams of coffee and grind very coarse, similar to soft pretzel salt.
STEP 2
PREPARE BREWING CONTAINER
Place your brewing container on the scale and weigh out 185 grams of ground coffee. Tare scale and add 750 grams of cold/room temperature water (filtered but not distilled).
STEP 3
STIR & STEEP
Stir the slurry (coffee + water concoction) so that all grinds are saturated with water. Cover with a lid or towel. Place in the refrigerator and let steep for 13-16 hours.
Note: Adjust the steep time for your personal preference. Some prefer a steep time of a 24 hours, others may prefer 12. (We don’t recommend steeping over 24 hours.)
STEP 4
STRAIN & SERVE
After steeping, strain the slurry with a fine mesh strainer into a fresh glass container.
If you have a funnel, you can set your strainer on top of the funnel to make it easier to strain into a smaller container. You can also line the mesh strainer with a large paper coffee filter or even cheesecloth.
When you’re ready to enjoy a cup, measure out equal parts cold brew concentrate and water or milk. For a 12 ounce glass, use about 170 grams of concentrate and 170 grams of water or milk. Add ice. Drink up and be refreshed!
Note: The cold brew concentrate will keep for 1-3 days in an airtight container in the fridge.