Do you want to drink coffee, but the weather outside is too hot for a warm cup of coffee? Consider making cold brew coffee instead of the usual hot brewed coffee. Although it takes longer, cold brew coffee is delicious and easy to make. All the tools needed to make this coffee are probably already in your kitchen. So let's make it now!
Step
Part 1 of 2: Preparing the Coffee and Equipment
Step 1. Choose good quality coffee beans that have been roasted at a medium level
The best coffee is made from freshly roasted coffee beans. So look for locally roasted coffee beans. If you can't find coffee beans like this, just use coffee beans you've tasted.
If you have a grinder, buy whole coffee beans. Grinding your own coffee will produce fresher cold brew coffee with a better taste
Step 2. Prepare a large container for brewing coffee
You can use any teapot, large jar, or French press coffee maker you have without the press.
- To avoid tainting coffee with other flavors or chemicals, try using a glass container. The glass will not react with the coffee and will not contaminate the coffee with other chemicals.
- There are several special products for making cold brew coffee. If you plan to make a large number of them and like unique sets, consider buying one of these products.
Step 3. Grind the coffee beans
You need to grind about an ounce of coffee beans for every one cup of water you use. Determine how much water can fit into the container you are going to use, and then use that much coffee in ounces.
- If you like a strong coffee taste, use more coffee for one cup of water. All up to you. So experiment with the measurements until you find one you like!
- There is debate as to which type of coffee grinder to use. Some experts say you don't need to grind the coffee beans until fine, but a bit coarser because it is deliberately made for the process of extracting the coffee flavor into the water which is slower and longer. However, there are also those who think that finely ground coffee beans are better because you will get more extraction from the coffee beans. With this difference of opinion, try grinding coffee beans in both ways and find out which one you prefer.
Part 2 of 2: Brewing Coffee
Step 1. Put the ground coffee beans in a container, then pour water at room temperature on the coffee beans
Remember, you must adhere to a specific dose of one cup of water for every ounce of coffee beans. So, if the container you're using can hold six cups of water, put six ounces of ground coffee beans in it.
When the coffee beans have soaked for about 10 minutes, stir the beans. This ensures you get the full flavor extraction of all the seeds
Step 2. Cover the coffee and water mixture, leave it on the kitchen counter
Let the coffee soak for 12-24 hours, depending on how strong you want the coffee to be.
- You can stir the mixture occasionally while it's still soaking so that the beans are evenly exposed to the water.
- Some people suggest putting this coffee and water mixture in the refrigerator. While this isn't necessary because the coffee won't spoil at room temperature, this step can result in a cooler brew when it's finished.
Step 3. Strain the coffee mixture
You can filter it in several ways. An easy way is to use a wire filter and a large sheet of coffee filter paper or cheese strainer over a pitcher. Then, pour the soaked coffee. The goal of this step is to get rid of all the coffee beans and leave behind a soft and delicious brewed water.
- If you are using a French press, attach the press and press gently until all the coffee beans remain at the bottom of the container.
- If after filtering the first time there are still coffee beans that enter the coffee, strain it again.
- After all the steeping is poured, there will be some residue at the bottom of the container. Do not pour the rest of this into the strainer. Leftover coffee beans will not add flavor to your brew.
Step 4. Cool the coffee and serve when it is ready
You now have a cold coffee drink that doesn't need to be diluted anymore and can be enjoyed with ice cubes, milk or cream, and your favorite sweetener.
- Also consider making a simple syrup to add to your brewed coffee. Unlike regular sugar, which is hard to dissolve in cold coffee, simple syrup blends well with cold coffee.
- Your brewed coffee can be stored in the refrigerator for several weeks. You just close it. Unlike hot brewed coffee, cold brew coffee will not go stale over time.
