It’s still hot outside, but you’re in need of a pick me up, we’ve got your back! Take a look at how we made this delicious cold brew coffee below!
There are a few steps you need to follow to create the perfect cold brew coffee, and we’re here to guide you through them.
Coarse beans
Cold brew coffee has a different flavour to normal coffee made with boiling water. This is because the beans used need to be ground to a medium coarse consistency. We advise buying coffee beans at a roastery and grinding them there, using instant or filter coffee won’t work, as it allows small granules into the final brew Using this consistency of coffee beans prevents the bitter flavours from getting into the water, creating a sweeter, more rounded flavour. If you have a suitable coffee grinder or food processor, grind the beans at home.
Cold water & overnight brewing
The second step to creating the best cold brew coffee (and achieving that delicious flavour), is using cold water, and having patience. Steeping your coffee allows the delicate coffee flavour to infuse into the water slowly, without adding any bitterness or acidity that hot water does. Steeping the coffee overnight (for 10-12 hours) creates about a litre of strongly concentrated and highly caffeinated coffee which you can dilute as you go through it.
Straining
When the brewing time is up, it’s time to filter the coffee. If you’ve used a french press to brew, simply proceed as you would when making filter coffee. If you’ve used a jar, place some muslin or cheesecloth over a fine mesh sieve and carefully pour the coffee into the sieve. The cloth will remove keep all of the granules behind.
It’s as simple as that! You now have coffee for the next week. You’re welcome! Test out the strength by adding preferred cup measurements of the brew to a glass with ice and diluting with with water a milk of choice. This cold brew will last up to a week in the fridge.
INGREDIENTS & TOOLS
- 1 ½ cups coarsely ground coffee beans
- 4 cups (1 L) cold water
- Glass jar, muslin and a fine mesh strainer OR a french press.
METHOD
1. To make cold brew coffee, add the ground coffee beans and water to a mason jar. Stir a little to help move the coffee through the water, seal and set aside to slowly brew overnight.
2. Place a fine mesh sieve covered with some muslin over a bowl or jar and slowly pour the coffee through the cloth. Discard or compost the remaining coffee grounds.
3. Serve some of your coffee concentrate in an ice filled glass with milk or water to dilute as preferred, or heat in the microwave for a hot alternative.
4. Store the remaining brew in a jar in the fridge for coffee on tap!
ALSO SEE HOW TO MAKE DALGONA COFFEE
Sjaan is a food stylist and recipe developer for Food & Home. She aims to create mouth-watering images and exciting How To videos on our Instagram, hoping to inspire people to try new recipes and have fun in the kitchen.