Preparing the so-called “cold brew” or cold brewed coffee at home is much simpler than it seems, and it is also the best way to get a refreshing drink without bitterness and a watery taste.
In contrast to the classic preparation with hot water, this method involves soaking the ground coffee in cold water for a long time, resulting in a fuller, milder and less acidic taste – perfect for summer days. The entire procedure is very simple and requires neither special skills nor expensive equipment, he writes Simply Recipes.
Advantages of cold preparation
If you are a fan of iced coffee but are disappointed by the bitter or watery taste, cold brew is the solution. The slow infusion process extracts the perfect coffee flavor and caffeine from the beans, but at the same time bypasses most of the compounds that cause bitterness and acidity. The result is a delicious drink with an almost sweet taste, ideal for serving with ice. In addition, preparing a larger quantity on the weekend can save you time during the work week, he says Index.hr.
Preparation process
The process is very simple. The first step is coarse grinding of coffee beans. You can grind it at home or request it when shopping. Then mix the ground coffee with water in a large jar or container and let it soak overnight, about 12 hours.
During this time, the coffee slowly releases its aromas into the water, creating a strong, concentrated drink. The next morning, the coffee needs to be strained and is ready to be served.
You can easily adjust the strength of the drink. The recommended starting ratio is one cup of ground coffee to four cups of water. This creates a fairly strong concentrate, ideal for serving over ice or mixing with milk. If the relationship doesn’t suit you, you can adjust it until you find the perfect balance.
If the drink seems too strong, dilute it with a little water or milk.
Tips for preparation
To make sure that your cold coffee will always be perfect, pay attention to a few details:
Use coarsely ground coffee, similar in texture to coarse cornmeal. Finely ground coffee can result in a drink that is too bitter and leave a cloudy residue.
It is advisable to filter the water if possible, as this will give the coffee a cleaner and milder taste.
Soaking time is also important – let the coffee stand for at least 12 hours for the aromas to fully develop. However, don’t overdo it – soaking for more than 15 hours can also bring out some bitter notes that you want to avoid.
For a full, refreshing experience, you can chill your coffee with ice cubes made from coffee, he reports Win.
