Coffee’s evolution has led to countless different ways to make coffee. Each one of these methods has its pros and cons. With the rise of Starbucks and Dunkin, the method of cold brewing has soared in popularity. Cold brew isn’t just a trend, it’s a brewing technique that results in a much smoother and less acidic cup of coffee. Not only does it provide a superior taste, but it can also be easily and conveniently stored in your refrigerator for 7-14 days.
So, what is the best coffee for cold brew for you? Read on to learn more about this fascinating brewing method!
What Is Cold Brew Coffee?
Table of Contents
Cold brewed coffee is coffee that is made by steeping (soaking) ground coffee in room-temperature water for usually 12 to 18 hours or even longer. After having soaked your ground coffee in water, you can then strain out the grounds and chill them for a while. Once you’ve gone through those steps, you can serve as-is, over ice, or diluted with water or milk. This process results in the cold brewed coffee having a smoother, less acidic taste than hot brewed coffee. It is often served iced or blended.
So why is cold brew taste so good? Cold brewing extracts all of that flavors alongside the caffeine from the coffee beans. This produces one of the richest, most flavorful, and most stimulating brews. You can then mix milk, cream, or water with the cold brew to even further enhance the taste to your liking.
The biggest benefit of cold brew coffee is that it can be made ahead of time. If you’re someone who is too busy and has too much on their schedule, you can brew this coffee and keep it in your refrigerator for up to two weeks, which means you’ll always have a refreshing cup of joe on hand.
How Is Cold Brew Coffee Made?
Although there are different ways to make cold brew coffee, the basic principle of the technique remains the same. The first step always begins with coarsely grinding your coffee beans. Next, mix your ground coffee with cold water, the ratio should be about 1:8 (one part coffee to eight parts water). Give it a good stir and let your mixture soak for 12 hours or more. Be careful not to leave your mixture steep for too long ( 24 hours or more) or you risk the acidity of the coffee returning and leaving a dusty or woody taste in your mouth. Once you’re happy with the brewing time, pour the coffee through a filter to remove the grounds!
The coffee concentrate that you’ve just created can be stored in the fridge for up to two weeks. Prepare it however you like when you’re ready to drink it and enjoy!
Cold Brew Coffee vs Other Coffee
If you’ve taken the time to learn more about that caffeinated drink you indulge in every morning, then you probably want to get the most out of your experience. For most coffee lovers, there is nothing like the first sip of coffee every morning. But when you look into it, it can be overwhelming to see all the brewing methods and deciding which one is the best.
The main difference between cold brew coffee and the other types of brewed coffee is that cold brew is made with cold water, rather than hot. This gives cold the brew a less acidic and smoother taste. The time investment for cold brew coffee is also significantly larger, typically 12 hours. But most coffee lovers are in agreement that the extra time is worth it for that richer flavor.
To compare this to other brewing methods, we can take a look at drip coffee and espresso. The most common brewing method, drip coffee, is quick and simple, but it can often leave a bitter and acidic taste in your mouth. Espressos has a richer and fuller flavor and is a personal favorite of the hot options.
The drawback with cold brew is how long it takes to brew and the extra grounds you are required to use. However you like your coffee, hot or cold, there is no doubt that cold brew coffee is a delicious and refreshing option!
If you are like me, you enjoy switching it up depending on the time of the day, weather, types of coffee available, and whether it’s after a meal. Regarding the weather, I find a refreshing cold brew wonderful!
Best Coffee for Cold Brew
At Red Mug, we recommend four types of coffee. First, there is the Ethiopian. It makes a great black cold brew cup of coffee. It’s a medium roast and taste profile is honeysuckle, papaya, and smooth.
Another roast we recommend for great black cold brew is our Guatemala. It’s a medium roast with dried fruit and cocoa notes.
If you are looking for a wonderful roast to add milk to, we recommend our Colombian Tolima. It’s a medium roast with a smooth caramel note.
One last one I’m going to recommend for a cold brew with milk is our Kenya roast. It’s a medium roast that tastes like grapefruit, and baked apple.
Of course, each person has their own preferences, but this can serve as a guide to start with. I personally enjoy Colombia over ice after lunch.
How Much Caffeine Does Cold Brew Coffee Have?
Caffeine has been a widely researched topic due to the popularity of it in our society. From coffee, to sodas, caffeine is in some of the most used beverages in the world. There is evidence that caffeine can help improve your focus and cognitive function. This effect is not limited to coffee, any drink or food that has caffeine in it will have the same effect. For the healthiest, and best results, it’s recommended by the Mayo Clinic that the average human should consume no more than 400 mg of caffeine per day and 200 mg of caffeine in one sitting.
We all know about the coffee jitters, and some people may even experience anxiety and have difficulty sleeping due to too much caffeine. Most cups of coffee will have 95-100 mg of caffeine per 8 fl oz. If you’re looking for a way to improve your focus, coffee is a great option. Just be sure to limit your intake to avoid any unwanted side effects
Conclusion
When choosing the best coffee for a cold brew, we recommend trying out different coffee with different cold-brewing methods to see which one is right for you. We would love to answer any questions about the coffee we roast.
