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

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 coffee liquid is then obtained after the grounds are filtered out. For a richer body, the steeping time can be extended to 13-24 hours.

Is Cold Brew Coffee the Same as Iced Coffee?

Many beginners confuse cold brew coffee with iced coffee. The reason is that our understanding of iced coffee is traditionally based on hot-water extraction, followed by adding ice cubes or chilling the hot coffee down to a cold temperature.

The biggest difference with cold brew is that it is obtained through low-temperature extraction for the entire process. As you can see from the start of this article, the whole low-temperature extraction process belongs to cold brew. "Low temperature" and "long extraction time" are the two defining 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 mouthfeel becomes fuller and cleaner. Besides being enjoyed directly after extraction, its clean character is 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 beans used to make it. A good coffee bean can express the unique taste of a region or growing area. To experience these unique flavors, fresh roasting and fresh grinding are very important.

Coffee beans sold by FrontStreet Coffee currently ship within 5 days of roasting, with whole beans as the default. Although a grinding service is available, coffee is most aromatic when ground fresh and brewed immediately.

Using African Coffee Beans

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

Using Central and South American Coffee Beans

Cold brew made with Central and South American coffee beans typically shows mellow fruit acidity, nutty almond flavors and caramel-like sweetness. Examples are 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 carry ripe-fruit 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 of the rich compounds (such as bitterness) are not easily released in a cold environment. Therefore, cold brew made with Asian coffee beans may not taste as flavorful as when extracted with high temperatures.

How to Make Cold Brew Coffee

Grind the coffee beans to a medium-fine consistency, like granulated sugar, 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 1:13.

After adding water, stir the coffee grounds to make sure 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 can be stored in a clean, sealed container and should be consumed within 72 hours.

FrontStreet Coffee Recommendation

Cold water mutes roast and wood tones and amplifies floral and fruity character, so light-to-medium roasts are the natural starting point. FrontStreet Ethiopia Natural Huakui is a favorite for this: sun-dried at high altitude, it opens up in cold brew with magnolia, creamy strawberry, dried mango, guava and black tea, sweet and almost juice-like with very little bitterness.

If you want a cold brew with vivid, juicy acidity, FrontStreet Kenya Little Tomato is one of the most recognizable choices. It comes from Kenya's Thika region, grown at 1,550-1,750 meters from the classic SL28 and SL34 varieties and processed with Kenya's 72-hour double-washed method. Cold extraction plays up its cherry tomato, snow pear, black plum and smoked plum notes, bright and full with a clean, long finish.

For a dessert-like, aromatic cup, FrontStreet Strawberry Candy is a Geisha blend built from Panamanian Geisha and a Costa Rican honey-process coffee, pairing rose and orange with grape, dried blueberry and strawberry-marshmallow sweetness. Left to settle a little longer, it can even take on a wine-like fruitiness. For everyday volume, FrontStreet Yirgacheffe Gutingin Cooperative is a washed Ethiopian bean that delivers layers of berry, honey and floral sweetness at a friendly price.