S ummer is right around the corner, and all of us are craving cups of iced coffee. If you're someone like the people in Finland who drink the most coffee around the world at 26.45 lbs per Capita, you probably don't like your coffee to be too watery or harsh. One solution to this is to make a cold brew instead. If you haven't tried making this before, we have a simple guide on how to slow brew coffee at home.
However, there's no need to worry. Making a cold brew instead of hot coffee isn't difficult, and it doesn't require the ninja-like skills of a professional barista. You don't need much extra equipment; all you need is a large container to prepare the beverage in and a filter.
What Really Is Cold Brew Coffee?
This is a crucial question that most people ask when they hear the words cold brew coffee. The reason it's so important is because of how different cold brew coffee is from both drip coffee and regularly brewed hot coffee that usually gets cooled and served with ice.
The most basic thing you should know about this type of coffee is that it never gets hot. Instead of brewing in minutes, it's steeped for 12 to 15 hours. This results in a somewhat bitter and less acidic cup of coffee. Instead, it's sweeter, with a lot more flavor, and is known to be one of the best ways to make iced coffees.
But here's one reason why you'll love cold brew coffee so much. Make a batch on Sunday and enjoy fresh, handmade cold brew for the rest of the week. Yes, cold brew coffee can be prepared ahead of time so that you don't have to keep making it repeatedly. Isn't it fantastic?
Ingredients And Equipment Required
To create a small batch of cold brew coffee, gather the following ingredients:
- 2 containers (one to infuse the water with the grinds and the other to store the completed coffee)
- Coffee beans, ground (medium grind, halfway between coarse and fine)
- Purified water (this is a crucial step as tap water has chlorine and minerals present in it, which will give off a very off taste to the coffee)
- A filter for filtering out the dirt is a paper coffee filter. If you can't find this, a paper towel will work just as well.
Get Ready To Slow Brew Some Coffee!
1. Combine the water and coffee in a wide-mouth mason jar or a large enough glass. Stir everything together so that it can combine quickly and easily. Allowing your mixture to rest for around 5 minutes or a little more before stirring it again allows the coffee grinds to absorb any additional water that may be present.
2. Refrigerate your container for anywhere between 12 to 18 hours with the lid on.
3. Place your thin paper coffee filter over a small fine-mesh sieve to start the brewing process. Pour the concentrate into a liquid measuring cup or pitcher through the sieve you have prepared. Allow it to sit for a few minutes so that all the remaining cold brew can also trickle down (none should be wasted!).
4. It's finally time to serve! Fill a glass about halfway with water and put some pieces of ice in it. Then pour the rest of the cold brew concentrate into the glass and stir to get it to combine. Although cold brew concentrate can be kept in the fridge for up to two weeks, it's best to consume it in the first week you make it in.
Some Tips for Success
1. Check To See If Your Beans Have Been Coarsely Ground
Beans pounded to a sandy powder, as in drip coffee, might result in an over-infused coffee and turn your coffee into a muddy and gritty mess. Your beans should have the texture of coarse cornmeal, or maybe a little rougher.
2. If Possible, Use Filtered Water
This is just fantastic coffee advice in general. If you make your coffee with filtered water, it will taste cleaner and sweeter.
3. Steep For A Minimum Of 12 Hours
It's alright to cut some time if you're impatient, but don't be too stingy. This amount of time is required for the coffee to infuse the water thoroughly. Straining too soon can result in a weak cup of coffee, which is not something you want when making cold brew coffee.
Also, avoid over-steeping, as this can bring about some of the harsh flavors we're trying to avoid. Try not to steep for longer than 15 hours.
And there you have it! You now know how to slow brew coffee at home!
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- slow brew coffee
- brewing coffee right
- coffee brewing tips
- how to slow brew
