What are the Best Coffee Beans for Cold Brew?

What are the Best Coffee Beans for Cold Brew?

If you prefer your coffee chilled, cold brew or iced coffee might be your go-to choice. Cold brew is particularly refreshing during summer mornings, brunches, or anytime for coffee enthusiasts. It’s also the smoothest way to enjoy cold coffee.

What Is Cold Brew Coffee?

Cold brew is a coffee concentrate that requires a brewing time of at least 15 to 24 hours. While the process takes time, the resulting coffee concentrate is well worth the wait!

This brewing method extracts all the aroma and oils, resulting in a coffee that is low in acidity and high in caffeine. In fact, cold brew typically has higher caffeine content than most coffee types, even more than espresso. It can be easily stored in the fridge for an extended period and is best served chilled over ice.

Cold brew is distinct from iced coffee in several ways. Although they may look similar, their flavors, caffeine levels, and serving styles differ.

What to Consider When Making Cold Brew

Several factors influence the quality of your cold brew coffee. Here’s what to keep in mind:

  • The Grind: The size of your coffee grounds will affect the final brew. A coarse grind is ideal for cold brew. You can check the grind size by rubbing the grounds between your fingers; they should feel gritty. A fine grind may result in a dense and bitter brew.
  • Water: The source of your water can significantly impact the taste. Using filtered water can lead to a “cleaner” flavor and may even enhance sweetness.
  • Brewing Time: Allow the coffee to steep for a minimum of 12 hours. Coarser grinds may require a longer steeping time to extract the flavors fully.
  • Water Temperature: Avoid using hot water, as it can create a bitter and acidic brew. Instead, the water should be cold or at least at room temperature.

What Are the Best Coffee Beans for Cold Brew?

Roast Type: Light, Medium, or Dark?

You can use any roast type for cold brew, but a dark roast is highly recommended. Dark roasts offer rich, chocolaty, and earthy flavors, allowing all the extracted flavors to shine through, including their delicate notes.

While you can also make cold brews with light and medium roasts, they will have a notably different flavor profile and are often more expensive. Regardless of the roast you choose, cold brews can still be smooth and enjoyable.

Bean Freshness:

Using beans that are a few weeks old is perfectly fine. However, avoid instant coffee for cold brew. Opt for pre-ground dark roast beans, as fresher beans yield the best cold brew experience! 

How to Make Cold Brew

  1. Grind the Beans: Start by grinding your coffee beans to a coarse consistency.
  2. Prepare the Coffee Bag: Take a tablespoon of the ground coffee (enough for a glass of cold brew concentrate) and place it in a mesh bag.
  3. Steep: Put the bag into a container and pour filtered water over it. Cover the container and let it steep at room temperature for 15 to 24 hours.
  4. Remove the Grounds: After steeping, take out the mesh bag containing the coffee grounds.
  5. Mix the Brew: Combine equal parts of the concentrate and cold water to make your cold brew. Serve over ice.

The coffee concentrate can be refrigerated for a few weeks and is also suitable for making hot drinks; just mix it with hot water.

So, what coffee beans are best for making cold brew? Different beans will yield dramatically different flavors, so it’s best to choose according to your palate.