Cold brew: history, tips and homemade recipes
Cold brew is a coffee brewing method that has gained in popularity in recent years. Unlike traditional coffee brewing methods,...
What is cold brew?
Cold brew is a coffee brewing method that has gained in popularity in recent years. Unlike traditional coffee brewing methods, which use hot water, cold brew involves infusing ground coffee in cold water for an extended period, generally 12 to 24 hours. This slow infusion gently extracts the coffee's aromas and soluble compounds, producing a beverage with a distinctive taste.
The history of cold brew
The history of the cold brew probably goes back several centuries. The earliest records of this method of brewing coffee are thought to come from Japan in the 17th century, where it was called "Kyoto-Style Coffee" because of its association with the city of Kyoto. The Japanese used drips to brew coffee for long periods, producing a smooth, flavorful beverage.
Why such a craze?
The modern cold brew craze began to develop in the early 2000s, particularly in the United States. Coffee lovers began to appreciate cold brew's sweetness and low acidity, as well as its richer, less bitter flavor compared to traditional hot-brewed coffee. The drink caught the attention of coffee lovers, baristas and specialty coffee shops, who began to offer cold brew on their menus.
Several factors contributed to cold brew's popularity. Firstly, it offers a refreshing alternative to hot coffee drinks, making it a popular option during the summer months. What's more, cold brew is often considered a milder, more accessible beverage for those unaccustomed to the strong taste of traditional coffee.
Cold brew has also benefited from the general trend towards alternative brewing methods and the search for new taste experiences in the coffee world. Coffee lovers have become curious and attracted by the possibility of exploring new flavors and brewing techniques.
In a nutshell
In short, cold brew became popular because of its mild taste, low acidity and rich flavor. Its history probably goes back centuries, but its modern craze has been fueled by coffee lovers seeking new taste experiences and by the emergence of alternative brewing methods in coffee culture.
Which coffee to choose for a homemade cold brew?
The choice of coffee for cold brew depends largely on your personal preferences. However, here are a few characteristics to consider when selecting a coffee for your cold brew:
Its roast: Medium- to dark-roasted coffees are generally recommended for cold brew. These darker roasts can bring richer, more intense flavors to the cold brew.
Flavor profile: Look for a coffee with a flavor profile that matches your preferences. Some coffees may have more chocolate notes, others may be more fruity or floral. Experiment with different coffees to discover which you like best in your cold brew.
Freshness: Choose freshly roasted coffee beans. The freshness of the coffee will have a significant impact on the final taste of the cold brew. Look for coffees with a recent roasting date, minimum one week (no less) up to one month, and avoid beans that have been exposed to air for a prolonged period.
Its grind : Be sure to use a coarse grind for cold brew. A coarse grind ensures smooth, even extraction during cold brewing.
Its origin: Coffees from different parts of the world can offer unique flavor profiles. For example, coffees from South America may have sweeter, chocolatier notes, while coffees from East Africa may be more fruity and floral. Explore different origins to discover which ones suit your tastes.
It's also worth noting that some coffees are specifically labelled as being suitable for cold brew. These coffees can be roasted to bring out specific flavors when cold brewed.
Ultimately, the best coffee for cold brew is the one that matches your taste preferences! So don't hesitate to experiment with different coffees, adjusting proportions and brewing times to get the taste you like best.
Our recipe for homemade cold brew
Ingredients
- 170 to 200 grams ground coffee (coarse grind)
- 1 liter filtered water
Instructions
01
Start by grinding your coffee to a coarse grind. Make sure the coffee beans are of uniform size for even extraction.
02
Pour the ground coffee into a container or carafe.
03
Slowly add the filtered water to the ground coffee. Make sure to saturate all the coffee evenly by pouring the water in circular motions. Make sure all the coffee is well submerged.
04
Cover the container with a lid or cling film and place in the fridge.
05
Leave the coffee to brew in the fridge for at least 12 hours, or up to 24 hours for a more intense infusion.
06
Once the brewing time has elapsed, remove the carafe from the fridge and filter the coffee. Use a paper coffee filter, cloth filter or fine sieve to remove the ground coffee beans.
07
Once filtered, you can dilute the cold brew with cold water or milk, as you prefer. You can also add ice cubes to make it even more refreshing.
08
Serve your cold brew in a glass with ice cubes, if desired, and enjoy!
Feel free to adjust the proportions of coffee and water to suit your taste. You can also experiment with different types of coffee to obtain different flavours.
Our tips for an excellent cold brew
01
Choose quality coffee
Choose freshly roasted, high-quality coffee. The freshness of the coffee beans will have a significant impact on the final taste of the cold brew.
02
A coarse grind
Use a coarse coffee grind for optimum extraction. Too fine a grind can result in a bitter taste and sediment deposits in your beverage. Don't hesitate to buy a coffee grinder for freshly ground coffee!
03
The coffee/water ratio
For a balanced cold brew, use a coffee/water ratio of around 1:8 to 1:10. For example, for 100 grams of coffee, use 800 to 1000 ml of water.
04
Use filtered water
As you've often heard, the quality of your water is essential for excellent coffee. After all, coffee is 99% water! So use good quality filtered water to prepare your cold brew. This will help remove impurities and improve the taste of your beverage.
05
Brewing time
Leave the coffee to brew for a sufficiently long period to extract its full aroma. A brewing time of 12 to 24 hours is generally recommended for a tasty cold brew.
06
Brewing at room temperature
You can also opt for room-temperature brewing instead of refrigeration. In this case, leave the coffee to brew at room temperature for around 4 to 8 hours. This can result in a slightly different flavor profile. Give it a try!
07
Efficient filtration
Make sure you use a high-quality filter to effectively remove ground coffee beans. You can use a paper coffee filter, a cloth filter or a fine strainer for this step.
08
Proper storage
Once you've filtered your cold brew, store it in an airtight container in the fridge. It can be kept for around 4-5 days without losing too much flavor.
09
Personalize your cold brew!
Feel free to add extra ingredients to personalize your cold brew. You can experiment with syrups, spices, milk or milk substitutes, depending on your preferences.
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