What is a cold brew?
Coffee comes in many shapes, so regardless of your preferences, there’s probably a type of coffee that fits it. Cold brew is one of the best examples right now, and it has earned the hearts of modern generations. But, what is a cold brew?
You’ve probably heard people talk about cold brew coffee and how it’s invaluable to “have a cold brew near me” at all times. Luckily, understanding the basics of cold brew is fairly simple, considering that it’s mostly a different way to make coffee.
Still, let’s find out what exactly is a cold brew, what makes it so popular, and its key differences with traditional hot coffee.
First things first, what is cold brew exactly?
Funny enough, a cold brew isn’t even brewed coffee, as there’s no hot water or boiling involved. Instead, cold brew coffee is a method for preparing everyone’s favorite caffeinated beverage.
Instead of brewing it in hot water, cold brew extraction involves steeping your ground coffee in cold or room temperature water. Moreover, it takes considerably longer to make than traditional methods, like drip coffee. In fact, many will say that the best cold brew methods take up to a day of steeping, and that’s the key differentiator of this beverage.
The steeping process in cold water also results in a different flavor profile than its hot counterpart. A cold brew recipe will be smoother and milder than a hot cup of Joe, but that doesn’t mean it lacks that caffeine kick.
How are cold brew vs. iced coffee different?
Now, this fresh brew is pretty much coffee but cold, so it has to be the same thing as iced coffee, no? Not really, there are plenty of differences between cold brew vs. iced coffee.
While it’s easy to see the reasoning behind that conclusion, it’s far from the truth. As mentioned, making a cold brew at a coffee shop or at home means steeping coffee—often overnight—in cold or room temperature water. Sure, there are cold brew coffee makers, but the process is the same.
On the other hand, iced coffee is regular, hot coffee that’s been chilled via refrigeration or simply pouring it over ice. Not only are the preparation processes different, but they also differ in consistency, flavor, and even caffeine content.
Key differences between cold brew and hot coffee
Now that you understand the cold brew coffee method, it’s time to compare it to the hot pick-me-up we all know and love. Let’s see how the two ways to make coffee result in a very different beverage
Also, these differences also apply to cold brew vs. iced coffee if you still have doubts after our previous section.
- Flavor: The steeping method creates a softer profile that’s a lot less acidic than hot coffee. While the cold brew grind size can change its notes, it’s rarely as acidic and bitter as regular coffee.
- Preparation: The best cold brew takes a while to make, at least 12 hours, so it requires a bit more planning than regular coffee. Also, while it can be heated, cold brew is mostly served diluted in refreshing drinks.
- Caffeine: As a general rule, cold brew tends to have less caffeine than hot coffee because of the steeping temperature. However, depending on how long you steep it, it could have more caffeine than its counterpart.
- Longevity: You can store cold brew concentrate for a few days without it losing its flavor, making up for its longer preparation time. Hot coffee usually becomes stale after an hour or less.
Overall, if you know how to make cold brew, you’re most likely going to use it on a recipe instead of plain. Despite taking longer to make, its smoother flavor profile makes it a much better option for drink recipes, especially considering the lower bitterness highlights other flavors.
The cold brew coffee method explained
We’ve already mentioned a lot how a cold brew recipe works and how it produces a different flavor profile. However, it’s time to break down the basics of the best cold brew methods to understand the process better.
What makes cold brew extraction special is its slower extraction process, which accommodates different cold brew grind sizes and allows more versatility. When you steep your grounds with the right cold brew ratio, the colder water temperature gets infused at a slower pace, which also includes caffeine.
This means the best cold brew coffee maker is patience, as 12 hours of steeping may result in the same caffeine content as a 5-minute hot brew. This is why many people make large cold brew concentrates with tons more caffeine, which can then be diluted right before drinking.
That’s also why different outlets differ in how long the cold brew coffee method lasts. While most agree that 12 hours is the minimum, the maximum length varies between 18 and 24 hours—sometimes even longer. Luckily, the high caffeine levels resulting from longer steeping times can be balanced by diluting your beverage.
A few things to keep in mind when making a fresh brew
While the theory behind the cold brew coffee method is pretty simple—you just leave it steeping overnight—its practice can get a little complicated. From finding the best coffee roast for cold brew to measuring the strength, there’s lots of room for improvement. So, let’s go through some of the nuances you should keep in mind to enjoy all cold brew’s benefits.
Your beans’ type and grind might taste different
One of the main benefits of cold brew is how it highlights different flavor notes than hot brewed coffee, which makes it possible to experience a different taste from the same blend. As such, your favorite roast might not be the best roast for cold brew.
Likewise, your cold brew grind size will also alter the results. A finer grind will release caffeine and flavor faster, while a coarse grind makes the cold brew extraction longer but easier to control.
Cold brew extraction times vary considerably
As mentioned, your cold brew’s grind size affects how long it takes before your cold-brewed coffee is ready. However, that’s far from the only important factor, your cold brew ratio also plays a part; more coffee takes longer.
However, even the temperature of your water can change the extraction time. Hot coffee is ready in minutes because of the temperature, and the colder the water, the longer it takes.
The best cold brew method is personal
A good cold brew recipe takes time, and any coffee shop with cold brew probably took at least a dozen attempts before perfecting their recipe. That’s because the flavor, preparation, and versatility of cold brew is very different from traditional coffee.
Thus, you want to make sure you’re experimenting with different cold brew ratios, grind sizes, roasts, and even water. Yes, the type of water you use can also alter the cold brew’s flavor.
There’s a reason this beverage has become so popular, and it’s because of its flexibility for recipes. The diverse flavors brought forward by cold water steeping open the doors to new and daring combinations that wouldn’t be possible with the hot coffee’s bitter and acidic taste.