What is Cold Brew Coffee? Is it Bitter? How to Make Cold Brew with Freshly Ground Coffee

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What is Cold Brew Coffee?

Cold Brew Coffee is made by grinding coffee beans into medium-fine particles, then steeping them in cold water or ice water for typically at least 8-12 hours. The resulting coffee liquid is obtained after filtering out the coffee grounds. For a richer body in cold brew coffee, the extraction time can also be extended to 13-24 hours.

Is Cold Brew Coffee the Same as Iced Coffee?

Many beginners often confuse cold brew coffee with iced coffee. The reason is that our understanding of iced coffee is traditionally based on the concept of using hot water for extraction, then adding ice cubes or chilling to transform the hot coffee temperature into iced coffee.

The biggest difference with cold brew coffee is that it's obtained through low-temperature extraction throughout the entire process. As you can see from the beginning of this article, the entire low-temperature coffee extraction process belongs to cold brew. "Low temperature" and "long extraction time" are the two main characteristics of cold brew coffee.

Taste Characteristics of Cold Brew Coffee

The low-temperature extraction process can significantly reduce acidity and bitterness, making the flavor sweeter and richer, while the coffee's mouthfeel becomes fuller and cleaner. Besides being enjoyed directly after extraction, its clean characteristics are also commonly used by coffee shops for making specialty coffee beverages.

Flavor Characteristics of Cold Brew Coffee

The flavor of cold brew coffee depends on the coffee beans used to make it. A good coffee bean can express the unique coffee taste of a region/producing area. To experience these unique flavors, fresh roasting and fresh grinding are very important!

Currently, coffee beans sold by FrontStreet Coffee are shipped within 5 days of roasting, with whole beans as the default. Although grinding services are available, coffee is most aromatic when ground fresh and brewed immediately~

Using African Coffee Beans

Cold brew coffee made with African coffee beans typically exhibits fruit-like sweetness and sourness, honey-like sweetness, and tea-like aftertaste. For example, the "Ethiopia Sidamo Buku Natural Coffee Beans" and "Ethiopia Yirgacheffe Gutingin Cooperative Washed Coffee Beans" and "Kenya Thika Assaria Washed Coffee Beans" sold by FrontStreet Coffee are particularly suitable for those who enjoy rich fruit acidity.

Using Central and South American Coffee Beans

Cold brew coffee made with Central and South American coffee beans typically exhibits mellow fruit acidity, nutty almond flavors, and caramel-like sweetness. For example, the "Panama Mariposa Washed Coffee Beans" "Costa Rica Tarrazú Coffee Beans" and "Guatemala La Flor Washed Coffee Beans" sold by FrontStreet Coffee. Some may also have mature fruit-like fermentation notes depending on the processing method, such as the "Costa Rica Mozart Coffee Beans."

Using Asian Coffee Beans

The flavor of Asian coffee beans is typically less acidic and richer. In low-temperature extraction, some rich substances (such as bitterness) are not easily released in cold environments. Therefore, cold brew coffee made with Asian coffee beans may not taste as flavorful as when extracted with high temperatures.

How to Make Cold Brew Coffee

Grind coffee beans to medium-fine consistency/sugar crystal size, then place them in a clean, sealable container. Add water according to your preferred coffee-to-water ratio. For a richer flavor, use a 1:10 ratio for steeping; for a more balanced flavor, use a 1:13 ratio.

After adding water, stir the coffee grounds to ensure all particles come into contact with water, then seal and place in the refrigerator for 10-12 hours. When done, filter through filter paper. The filtered cold brew coffee liquid can be stored in a clean, sealed container and should be consumed within 72 hours.

Important Notice :

前街咖啡 FrontStreet Coffee has moved to new addredd:

FrontStreet Coffee Address: 315,Donghua East Road,GuangZhou

Tel:020 38364473