Making cold brew coffee isn't difficult, and it doesn't take the expertise of an experienced barista. You don't even need any extra equipment to make the coffee, except for a large container and a strainer. Would you believe you can create a superb cold brew coffee right in your own kitchen?
What is Cold Brew Coffee, and how does it differ from regular coffee?
Cold brew coffee is coffee that has been brewed at a cold temperature. To make a concentrated coffee essence, the coffee grounds are soaked in water for up to 24 hours, then diluted to taste and served chilled. Cold brew coffee has a lower acidity and is mellower and sweeter than regular Americano or filtered coffee. It's also a more environmentally friendly alternative because it doesn't require any heat. Cold brewing extracts a variety of flavor components that are different from those found in hot brews.
History of Cold Brew
Dutch sailors needed a way to brew and preserve a concentrated form of coffee. They would heat water and cut the concentrate with it to make hot coffee. It is not clear whether this was an invention to solve the issue of coffee at sea or if there was already a tradition of cold brewing.
The Kyoto-Drip method was created after Dutch traders brought their cold brew coffee methods to Japan, who took the process and made it their own. This method produces a rich concentrate by slowly dripping cold water over coffee grinds rather than soaking them in water.
Japan is the birthplace of authentic cold-brewed coffee, which is produced with cold water.
Kyoto-Style Japanese Coffee
Kyoto-style coffee is named after the Japanese city of Kyoto. The Japanese were brewing coffee this manner in the 1600s, however there is no evidence previous to that. It wasn't long before large, attractive towers were used to create cold-brews in Kyoto.
The result is highly concentrated extract which is used for making cafe au lait or cafe noir. Cold-brew coffee is one of the trendiest drinks of the past several summers.
Let's make some cold brew coffee together!
Time to prepare: 10 minutes
12 hours of steeping time
3 cups (about)
Ingredients:
1 cup whole coffee beans (4 ounces / 113 grams)
Four cups of filtered water
Gears:
Coffee grinder
1 1/2 gallon (or larger) a container made of glass, ceramic, or plastic
strainer of a small size
Cotton flour sack cloth or cheesecloth
Bottle or jar for storage.
- Coarsely grind your coffee beans. It should have the texture of coarse cornmeal, or a little coarser. Tip: Have your coffee ground at your local coffee shop or wherever you purchase your coffee.
- Place the coffee grounds in the container you'll be making the cold brew in. Pour the water over the top and gently swirl to ensure that the grounds are completely saturated. Use filtered water, your coffee will taste cleaner and sweeter
- Cover the jar with a lid to keep dust and bugs out and steep for 24 hours. Allow the coffee to steep on the counter or in the refrigerator. The coffee gently absorbs into the water during this time, resulting in a robust, concentrated brew.
- Line a small strainer with cheesecloth or flour sack cloth and lay over a large measuring cup or bowl to drain the coffee. Using the strainer, filter the coffee.
- Dilute the coffee with as much water or milk as you prefer and. Add some ice cubes to make your cold brew coffee more refreshing!
Cold-brew coffee can also be made in a French press. For extended storage, pour the coffee into a bottle or jar and keep it in the refrigerator.
Cold brewed coffee has a silky smoothness to it that is nearly sweet in flavor. You may also change the concentration of your cold brew coffee to suit your preferences, making it stronger or weaker. This way of coffee preparation saves time in the morning, especially before leaving for work.
Allow yourself to prepare a delicious cold brew at home. This is also a fantastic way to share with family and friends. Enjoy your coffee and tell us about your incredible experience!