Key Takeaway
- Use freshly roasted, coarsely ground medium-to-dark beans at a 1:5–1:7 coffee-to-water ratio for a smooth, balanced cold brew.
Coffee is everywhere. It’s in our homes, workplaces, and even on the go now. There are countless ways to make coffee. But what about cold brew? Do you have to make it yourself?
What coffee to use for cold brew is one of the most common questions for home baristas overwhelmed by bean choices and brewing methods.
Well, folks, I’m here today to answer your questions! Read on to make your own delicious cold brew coffee home!
Getting Started With The Right Beans
Getting the right coffee beans is the most important factor in making a cold brew coffee. It’s important to start with the right kind of coffee beans. Then splurge on them to ensure they’re fresh and consistent.
Need a Few Simple Tools for Better Home Brewing?
Browse practical Amazon Basics coffee and kitchen gear for grinding, brewing, storing, and setting up your everyday coffee corner.
Paid link. As an Amazon Associate we earn from qualifying purchases.
You should use whole coffee beans instead of pre-ground coffee. It’s easier to control how coarsely or finely they’ve been ground at home if you choose whole beans. If you want finer coffee grounds for your cold brew, invest in a burr grinder to get the best for your preferences!
The final consideration is whether you want your beans to be dark, medium, or lightly roasted. Dark beans have more flavor than light roasts, so if you like a strong cup of coffee, these are perfect for cold brew! Light roast coffees may have less flavor. But they are often sweeter and more delicate because of the lighter roasting process. If that’s what your taste buds crave, go ahead.
2 Types of Brewing Methods for Cold Brewing
There are two main cold brewing methods: pour-over and immersion. Both methods use room temperature water. These methods soak the coffee grounds for an extended period.
The Pour-Over Method
The pour-over method allows you to harness the full potential of the beans. It extracts every last drop of coffee goodness. It also works well for people who don’t have access to fancy equipment.
For this method, you can use a kettle, filter cone, Chemex (a glass carafe), scale, and grinder. This process takes some skill, but if you can nail it down, you’re going places!
Immersion Method
The immersion method is the easiest way to get started with cold brew. Mix ground coffee and water in a container, then let the mixture steep at room temperature for 24 hours. Then, once it’s done steeping, strain through a fine filter or paper filter over another vessel.
Once the coffee has been strained, you’ll need to refrigerate it before serving. To avoid dilution when pouring over ice, use a ratio of 1 lb coffee to 5 cups of water (or 8 oz per gallon). If you want your drink stronger than this, adjust accordingly. But remember that less or more water will affect how long it takes for cold brew concentrate to steep.
For the best results, use coarsely ground coffee. Using coarsely ground coffee will make it easier to filter out when brewing your drink. It will also give you a bolder flavor than if you used an ultra-fine grind.
Use Coarsely Ground Coffee When Using French Press
Use a coarse ground coffee when making cold brew coffee in a french press. Otherwise, your coffee grounds will be fine enough to pass through the filter with the water. Finely ground coffee will sink to the bottom of your French press. But you can also get away with it if you have a mesh strainer over your cup. You can also pour yourself a few ounces of water before adding any grounds to ensure all those pesky bits fall out.
“How coarse should I grind it?” you might ask. Well, it depends on your French press. Using Chambord French press, you’ll grind the beans for around 25 sec. On the coarse side of medium. If you’re using the Bodum Chambord French press, go ultra-coarse (about 15 seconds). The coarser you grind your coffee, the longer it takes to brew.
Use an ordinary coffee maker if you don’t have a french press. A standard rule when brewing cold-brew coffee is to use more grounds than hot coffee—using more grounds than hot coffee will extract the flavors from your beans without leaving any bitterness behind.
The Ratio of Water and Coffee
A single pound of ground coffee to five cups of water will produce strong coffee. Use more water if you would like it less strong.
There’s a reason Starbucks uses such a massive amount of coffee in its cold brew: they want it to be strong. You can use the same ratio if you prefer your cold brew to be on the stronger side. But if you’re looking for something mellow, use fewer coffee grounds per water for your brew instead. For example, try ratios like 1:5 or 1:7 before experimenting with other proportions.
Coffee Tasting is always the best way to determine how much coffee grounds you should use. If you’re using a standard 12-cup carafe, start with 1/2 cup coffee and 5 cups water. Once your cold brew is finished, taste it and add more coffee if you’d like.
Coffee and Water Ratio for French Press
Add less water if you prefer a “lighter” French press brew. Keep the ratio consistent if you’d prefer a stronger brew. You can also use coffee per volume of water used! Remember that 1/3 cup is equal to 4 tablespoons and 2 cups are equal to 8 ounces.
Experiment with Different Ratios!
Experimenting with different ratios will fine-tune your cold brewing process. This is true for people making cold brews at home. If you’ve never tried making cold brew before, start with an easy-to-make recipe like the one below:
1. Put coarsely ground coffee in the bottom of a mason jar or other wide-mouthed container. 2. Add cold water and stir well to ensure that all grounds are evenly distributed.
3. Cover the jar and let it sit for 12-24 hours in a cool, dark place. (If you like a stronger brew, go for the longer period.)
4. Strain the coffee through a strainer or cheesecloth to remove as much of the grounds as possible.
With the right tools, you can make a satisfying cold brew with any coffee you like. Indeed, some coffees work better than others in cold brew. But any decent roast will indeed make a delicious cold brew if you adjust the ratio.
Do A Taste Test
Trusting a brand that says its beans are best for cold brew is tempting, but it’s also important to do your taste test. You can try different kinds of coffee from different sources until you find what you like best.
When we’re talking about buying a new bag of beans, you should consider the type of beans and their origin. If a bag says it’s good for a cold brew and has been roasted within the last month or so, that’s usually enough.
What Coffee to Use for Cold Brew: Bean Origin & Flavor Profiles
Ethiopian beans tend to lend fruity, wine-like notes to your cold brew, while Colombian beans offer balanced chocolate and nutty flavors. Brazilian beans usually provide a smooth, low-acid profile.
Experiment with single-origin bags or blends—take tasting notes and rotate beans until you find your signature cup.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why is my cold brew bitter?
If it tastes sharp, try a coarser grind or shorten steep time to 12–16 hours.
Why is my brew too weak?
Increase grounds or extend steep time; try a 1:5 ratio for more concentration.
How do I store cold brew?
Keep sealed in the fridge for up to 1 week; shake before each use.
Cold Brew Vs. Iced-Coffee
The main difference between cold brew and iced coffee is the temperature of the water used to make it. Cold brew uses cold water, and iced coffee uses hot coffee. Cold brew uses coarsely ground beans in cold water, then lets it steep for 12-24 hours. The result is a concentrate diluted with water or milk, depending on your preference.
Conclusion
Hopefully, this article has helped you determine the best kind of coffee to use for cold brew. A perfect place to start is a well-roasted bean. If it doesn’t taste good before brewing, it won’t taste any better when it is finished!
