Ever craved a good coffee but felt it was too hot or warm or simply need to caffeinate but not in this heat? Cold brew is a wonderful answer to all miseries regarding cold coffee and particularly for the super lazy ones. Cold brew is a sexier and more refined version of the iced coffee – sweeter and both subtle and rich (yes, it’s possible) in flavour and may I say, absolutely divine-ly delicious.
So what exactly is cold brew, which has taken over the bean world like a storm?
This method of brewing coffee is done in room temperature or cold water over a long period of time.
Now, why do that?
By brewing coffee grounds in room temperature, the coffee is subjected to lower acidity levels, as the lack of heated water changes the chemical profile of the brew. The lower acidity thereby makes the coffee taste sweeter and smoother, which is easier on the stomach.
Cold brew has a higher bean-to-water ratio and longer brewing time compared to hot-brewing coffee. This means that amount of caffeine is higher in the cold brew giving you a more intensified jolt than the regular cup of joe. Additionally, you can store this brew in the fridge for up to 2 weeks.
Regular iced coffee is usually hot brewed coffee poured over ice, which significantly dilutes the coffee while you are drinking it; in cold brew you can choose exactly how watered down you want your coffee.
You can make this in a French press, without pushing down the plunger. Or in any kind of jug or mason jar and then filtering the liquid out over a mesh cloth or strainer.
The hard part is the wait – of at least 8-12 hours, though it can be as long as 20 hours too. However I look at this as quite a convenience – put it together before you leave for work in the morning, and upon return it is ready to refrigerate, and carry with you, chilled, to work the next day.
Few pointers:
- If using a French press, simply press down the plunger after the long wait and pour, and if using another kind of container, you can filter out the grounds with a cheesecloth or muslin cloth.
- Brew for at least 8 hours, but the longer the better.
- You can make a stronger concentrated brew to last you longer and save space in your fridge. Increase the amount of espresso grounds, and when you are ready to use, dilute with water as per your tastes.
- Use coarsely ground beans or espresso powder.
- The ratio is roughly 1:8 for coffee to water, also depending on your preference.
- Always go for very good quality coffee grounds – it makes all the difference
Short YouTube clip: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kiGM_2-Dcok
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