Cold Brew and You
Hey! Happy Spring.
Because of the warm sun and the cool breeze, what better drink to have than a great, and refreshing Cold Brew.
Cold Brew may sound familiar, but what could it be? It isn’t necessarily just cold coffee, and it isn’t just something that only coffee shops can create (although I’m sure it can be easier to a degree).
It is Cold Brew and you too can make it at home easily!
(If you want to get right to the step-by-step on how to make cold brew, go down to the “How to” section)
Now.. What Is It, Really?
Cold Brew is a long process where ground coffee is steeping in a vessle for a long period of time.
As I have said earlier, this is not iced coffee. Iced coffee is coffee that is brew hot at double the strength (general twice the amount of coffee grounds) and then chilled by pouring over or adding ice to the coffee.
Beginning: The Process
Surprisingly enough, the hardest part about this is the patient required. Making Cold Brew takes virtually no time at all, but the steep time will take a good 16 - 20 hours.
What does it take to make it?… Well, I’m so glad you asked!
As I have said before, by definition;
Cold Brew is a long process where ground coffee is steeping in a vessle for a long period of time.
Let’s disect this for a minute.
Disection and Analysis
Some key phrases mentioned are, in order of operation are:
Coarse-grind coffee
Find some whole bean coffee and ask your local coffee shop to grind your coffee as coarse as possible.
Make sure it’s super grainy, as shown in the picture below.
[1]
Vessel
An item to contain your coffee during the steeping process.
This can range anywhere from a 12 fluid ounce cup or something as large as a 5 gallon container
Strainer
To filter out the grinds from the liquid.
This could range from a french press to a v60 set with a filter, or a mesh-like object
A second vessle
To drain your Cold Brew into, preferrably slightly larger than the amount of water your brewing with.
This is essentially what it’ll look like...
[2]
The How To’s
Here is a simple step-by-step how-to for about a 12oz. cup of Cold Brew.
Step 1 - Find yourself about a 16 fluid ounce cup. This wil act as your first vessel to hold both your extra coarse ground coffee and water.
Step 2 - Pour 12 fluid ounces of water into the vessel. This can be either room temperature or cold water. It really doesn’t matter too much, honestly.
Step 3 - Weight out and place into the vessel 78 grams of extra coarse coffee. This is to ensure great flavor. You don’t too fine of coffee, or else the straining process won’t be efficient for great Cold Brew coffee.
Step 4 - Stir your coffee in the water until you see a creamy brown color in the vessel. This is the coffee telling your that it is getting great extraction.
Step 5 - Cover the opening of your vessel. Let it sit in your refrigerature for approximately 16 - 20 hours. Different recipes will tell you different times. This is completely up to you and your taste. If you want stronger Cold Brew, steep for 20 hours. If you like lighter flavors, let it steeep for 16 hours. Experiment too anywhere in between to find what is best for you!
Step 6 - Strain your coffee. Find a strainer that will separate your coffee grounds from the coffee. This will ensure quality and make sure you don’t find any unwanted grounds in your coffee.
Step 7 - Add ice and enjoy!!
The End
Thank you so much for reading this and I hope you enjoy your coffee. Please let me know what your think and if you enjoyed this blog, check out my past blogs: http://pressinggrounds.tumblr.com/
- Jay
Sources
1) http://ineedcoffee.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/10/1-toddy-grind 2) http://bbs.boingboing.net/t/summer-cold-brew-coffee-reminder/31856
