Drinks
Cold brew
Cold brew is coffee made by steeping coarsely-ground beans in cold water for 16–18 hours, then filtering. The result is a smooth, less acidic concentrate, typically diluted before serving or served straight over ice. Cold brew is distinct from iced coffee, which is hot-brewed coffee poured over ice.
The standard cold brew ratio is 1:8 by weight — 200g of coarsely ground beans steeped in 1.6L of cold water. Steeping happens at room or refrigerated temperature for 16–18 hours; under-steeping produces weak, sour cold brew, over-steeping produces bitter and muddy results.
Cold brew tastes different from hot-brewed coffee because lower temperature extracts different compounds. Cold extraction draws out more sugars and less acid, producing a smoother, sweeter cup with less perceived bitterness. Many people who avoid hot coffee due to acidity tolerate cold brew well.
Cafés brew cold brew in 24-hour cycles, store batches refrigerated, and dilute to serve depending on the customer drink (straight concentrate, diluted with water, blended with milk). Shelf life is roughly 7 days refrigerated for concentrate, 3–4 days for ready-to-drink.
Related terms
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Drinks
Espresso
Espresso is a small, concentrated coffee beverage made by forcing about 92–94°C water through finely-ground, tamped coffee at 9 bars of pressure for 25–32 seconds.
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Espresso
Extraction
Extraction is the process of water dissolving soluble compounds from ground coffee during brewing.
Read definition →
FAQ
Frequently asked questions
How long does cold brew need to steep?
Is cold brew stronger than iced coffee?
Can I use any coffee for cold brew?
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