If you’re shopping for the best coffee maker, you may be considering a cold brew machine. In addition, if you’re a coffee drinker that doesn’t like traditional hot coffee, then a cold brew maker is a fantastic choice. While the brew time is extended, you’ll have a cold brew concentrate that you can add to cold or hot water. So, if you’d like to make iced coffees at home and save hundreds of dollars by skipping the coffee shop, read on and learn how to use a cold brew coffee maker.
KEY TAKEAWAYS:
- The cold brewing process involves setting coarse ground coffee in cold water for 12-24 hours.
- Use filtered cold water, and make sure to use an airtight lid to keep out germs or dust.
- Use a 1:2 ratio of concentrate to water to make cold coffee with a smooth and robust flavor.
While drip coffee takes much less time to make, cold brewing is a concentrated coffee rather than an individual cup of coffee. So then, you can use the cold brew coffee concentrate to make regular coffee or even coffee ice cubes.
If you still want normal coffee with a lower caffeine content, check our guide on using a stovetop coffee maker.
How to Use a Coffee Cold Brewer
Tools Required: Cold brew maker, coffee filter, coffee grinder, coarsely-ground coffee
Insider Tip
Coffee concentrate produces multiple servings of coffee, so store it in an airtight container in the refrigerator. Under these conditions, you can store your cold-brewed coffee for up to 2 weeks.
STEP 1 GRIND YOUR COFFEE BEANS
Just like when you use a coffee percolator, you want coarse coffee grounds for the best cold brew concentrate. For the best results, use a coffee grinder and fresh beans. That said, you can buy pre-ground coffee with a coarse grind size or grind it at the store.
STEP 2CHOOSE A FILTER AND FILL WITH GROUNDS
Some models use a paper coffee filter, while others use a reusable mesh filter that screws onto the lid. Depending on your desired strength, place 10-15 tablespoons of coffee in the filter or infuser.
STEP 3FILL WATER
Now, fill the coffee maker with cold water. Most models call for 4 cups of water, but you can add more if you have a larger container.
STEP 4REPLACE THE LID AND LET IT BREW
Place the filter or infuser into the water and screw on the lid. Make sure it is air-tight so that no contaminants get into your concentrate.
Leave your coffee maker in the refrigerator for 12-24 hours. You can leave the filter in for longer, but do not exceed 36 hours, or you will end up with cloudy coffee.
STEP 5REMOVE THE FILTER AND STORE
Unscrew the lid and remove the filter. When you want to have coffee, mix one-part concentrate and two parts water or non-dairy milk.
Warning
If your coffee to water ratio is off, your cup of coffee will have an acidic flavor. Slowly mix a few ounces of coffee with water until you reach a balanced flavor.
F.A.Q.S
Is cold brew coffee stronger than espresso?
The strength of your cold brew coffee depends on your water to concentrate ratio. So, an espresso machine will make stronger coffee on average, but cold brew concentrate has the potential to be stronger.
What kind of coffee beans should I use for cold brew?
Use dark or medium roast coffee for cold brew. A light roast will not translate well to concentrate form, and you will lose your coffee’s flavor profile.
Can you heat cold brew coffee?
Yes, you can heat cold brew coffee. For best results, add warm water to your drink and additional concentrate to fit your personal taste.
STAT: A recent survey from Gallup revealed that 50% of adults between 18 to 34 drink coffee daily. (source)
REFERENCES:
- https://nationalcoffee.blog/tag/cold-brew/#:~:text=About%2010%25%20of%20coffee%20drinkers,to%20drive%20coffee%20market%20growth
- https://toddycafe.com/downloads/toddy_retail_instructions.pdf
- https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GN0xlp41ED0r
- https://www.sciencedirect.com/topics/engineering/coffee-maker
- http://www.coffeeresearch.org/coffee/brewing.htm
