Coffee culture is ever evolving, yet cold brew stands out as a unique, refreshing and exciting option from the rest. Why? Well it’s simple - the brewing process highlights the smooth, quality taste profile, which sets cold brew apart from traditional hot coffee. The versatility also allows caffeine lovers to enjoy it on its own or as a base for creative coffee combinations like desserts and cocktails.
Where to start?
- Choosing the right coffee beans
- Grinding the beans
- Cold brew equipment essentials
- The brewing process
1. Choosing the right coffee beans
Freshness and flavour profiles are what you want to look out for when selecting high-quality coffee beans for cold brew. Our 100% Robusta Black Insomnia coffee beans ensure bold flavour without tasting burnt or bitter. In terms of freshness and flavour profiles - we prefer the heavy body and fruity flavours of naturally-processed coffee, as we find it works better with cold brew.
The right coffee beans to choose for cold brew will depend on how you plan on using it. We of course recommend Black Insomnia coffee beans, as they are premium robusta and hand selected for bold flavour, making an ideal characteristic for cold brewing.
2. Grinding beans
Medium to dark roast, coarsely ground coffee beans are typically the best for a smooth cold brew experience. Course grounds allow for even extraction instead of over-extraction, resulting in a well-balanced and flavorful cup. You can use a cold brew maker, french press or cafetiere. If you don’t have anything fancy, don't worry! All you will need is below;
3. Cold brew equipment essentials
To make cold brew at home, you will need:
- A large jar/ pitcher
- A fine mesh sieve or reusable coffee filters
- Optional: a cold brew maker/ cafetiere / french press
4. The brewing process
The brewing process consists of steeping coarse coffee grinds into cold water for an extended period (12 to 24 hours).This will produce a concentrate that, once filtered to remove the grounds, can be diluted with water and served over ice as the famous ‘Cold Brew’.
To achieve a strong concentrate, use a 1:4 coffee-to-water ratio and experiment with steeping times to find the ideal strength and flavour profile for your taste preferences.
Step 1: Start with 1 cup of beans to 4 cups of water. Grind the coffee coarsely.
Step 2: Combine the grounds with water, then let it steep overnight, or for 12 hours.
The slow infusion pulls all that great coffee flavour from the beans, infusing into the water, creating a strong, concentrated brew.
Step 3: Adjust the concentration, making it stronger or weaker to suit your personal taste. Serve over ice or mix in with milk or cream, or use as a base for delicious coffee cocktails or desserts.
If the ratio of beans to water isn't quite to your taste, adjust it up or down until you hit the desired strength and flavour balance for you.
Pro Tip: Make a big batch over the weekend, starting it on Saturday or Sunday night and straining it the next morning, stash it in the fridge, in a closed-top air tight container made of glass or plastic for an easy coffee fix all week long!