Cold Brew

Cold Brew Coffee: What It is and Why You Should Try It

Cold brew has taken the coffee world by storm. It’s everywhere you look, from the drive through menus of big business coffee shops, to the hand-written chalk letters of your favorite local joint. To the average joe, the name “cold brew” might seem to be nothing more than a fancy title for a classic iced coffee, but they are mistaken. Cold brew is so much more than that. What makes cold brew coffee so special? Let us tell you.

What is Cold Brew Coffee, Exactly?

While cold brew is similar to iced coffee (and can be enjoyed over ice), the difference between the two comes solely from the method in which it is brewed. Where regular coffee is brewed at nearly boiling temperatures in order to rapidly draw out the properties of the beans, the creation of cold brew takes time. In fact, making a full batch of cold brewed coffee can take up to 24 hours. The beans are steeped in cold water, allowing the flavors, sugars, nutrients and caffeine content to be extracted without creating a bitter tasting end result.

What Makes Cold Brew Unique?

Now that we know what cold brew is, it’s time to find out what makes this beverage so unique.

●        It Tastes Sweet!

○        Believe it or not, cold brew actually tastes sweeter than regular coffee due to the fact that it possesses 67% less acidity than the average brew. Steeping the beans in cold water allows for the sweeter notes in the coffee to come forward, removing the need for added sugars and sweeteners. This makes cold brew a healthier alternative to your morning mocha!

●        It Has a Higher Caffeine Content!

○        While regular coffee is known for its ability to keep you awake, drinking cold brew can wake you up faster. One 16oz cup of cold brew offers close to 200mg of caffeine, topping the caffeine content of a 16oz hot brew that taps out around 170mg.

●        It’s Incredibly Versatile!

○        Due to the creamy flavor and texture of cold brew, it can be used in various recipes including: ice cream, cakes and cocktails. It is common to see coffee infused drinks on many bar menus from stouts to martinis and touches cold brew are no exception. 

Making Cold Brew Coffee at Home: The Four Steps

Want to try your hand at making this popular beverage from the comfort of your own kitchen? You’re in luck. Making cold brew is budget friendly, foolproof and can be done with items you already own! The four steps to homemade-but-you-wouldn’t-know-it cold brew are as follows:

●        Step One: Collect Your Materials. You’ll Need:

○        1 cup of coarse-ground coffee beans (You can grind it yourself or buy pre-ground)

○        5 cups of water

○        1 large container

○        1 cheesecloth

○        1 fine mesh sieve

■        Note: Cold Brew can also be made with a French press, eliminating the need for the container, cheesecloth and mesh sieve!

●        Step Two: Soak the Beans

○        Combine ground coffee and water in the large container. Stir the mixture in a gentle motion to evenly wet the grounds. Cover this mixture with the cheesecloth and let it brew for 12 to 20 hours at room temperature.

●        Step Three: Strain the Mixture

○        12 to 20 hours of brew time later, line the fine mesh sieve with the cheesecloth and place it over the large container. Slowly pour the mixture of coffee grounds and water through the sieve and cheesecloth, filtering out all of the coffee product (like straining pasta, but more fun).

●        Step Four: Enjoy!

○        The end result will be strong! So strong, in fact, that it may need to be slightly diluted with water, almond milk or any desired addition. The cold brew concentrate can be kept refrigerated for up to two weeks before needing to be tossed.

Here at Town Coffee we believe that the love of coffee is universal. Spending countless paychecks on drive-through coffee is all fine and well, but you shouldn’t have to. Enjoy the process of making and serving specialty cold brew without breaking the bank. We offer medium and dark Arabica roasts that will help you create that ideal flavor and experience without ever leaving your home! Have another coffee drink you’d like to make? Let us know! We’d love to show you how.