Cold Brew

A glass filled with iced coffee with milk being poured in from a white itcher

Cold brew coffee is a method of making coffee where ground coffee is steeped in cold water for an extended period of time, typically 12 hours or more. The result is a smooth and less acidic coffee with a mild flavour, which is then typically served over ice or mixed with water or milk. Cold brewing doesn’t use heat to extract the flavour from the coffee beans, which results in a unique taste compared to hot-brewed coffee.

The low acidity of cold brew coffee makes it a popular choice for those who have trouble with the acidity of traditional hot-brewed coffee. Additionally, cold brewing can also help to bring out the sweeter and fruity notes in coffee that are sometimes lost during the hot brewing process.

Origins

The origin of cold brew coffee is not entirely clear, but it is believed to have originated in Japan several centuries ago, where it was known as “Kyoto-style” coffee. In this traditional method, coffee was brewed slowly in room-temperature water over a course of several hours to produce a concentrate that could be stored and served over ice.

Cold brew coffee then spread to the Netherlands in the 17th century, where it was a popular refreshment among sailors. It wasn’t until the 21st century, however, that cold brew coffee became a widespread trend in North America and Europe, as specialty coffee shops and cafes began offering it as an alternative to traditional hot-brewed coffee. Today, cold brew coffee has become a staple in many coffee shops and households.

Making Cold Brew at Home

Cold brew coffee can easily be made at home with just a few simple ingredients and tools. Here’s a basic recipe that you can follow:

Ingredients:

  • 1 cup course ground coffee
  • 4 cups cold filtered water

Equipment:

  • Large pitcher or jar
  • Fine mesh strainer or coffee filter
  • Cheesecloth (optional)

Instructions:

  1. Combine the coffee grounds and water in a large pitcher or jar. Stir the mixture until all of the coffee is saturated.
  2. Cover the pitcher or jar and let it sit in the refrigerator for 12-24 hours. The longer it steeps, the stronger the coffee will be.
  3. After steeping, strain the mixture through a fine mesh strainer or coffee filter to remove the coffee grounds. If you have a particularly gritty coffee, you can use cheesecloth to further strain the mixture.
  4. Discard the coffee grounds and transfer the coffee concentrate to a clean pitcher or jar.
  5. Dilute the coffee concentrate to taste with water or milk, and serve over ice. You can also add sweeteners or flavourings if desired.


Note: You can also adjust the ratio of coffee to water depending on how strong you like your coffee, but a general rule of thumb is 1:4 (coffee to water)


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