The Brew Crew: Cold Brew Methods

There are several methods of making cold brew coffee--each with its own unique characteristics. Here are some of the most common methods:

Immersion Method:

The immersion method is one of the simplest and most popular ways to make cold brew coffee. Here's how it works:

• Coarsely grind your coffee beans.
• In a container or jar, mix the coffee grounds with cold or room temperature water using a ratio of around 1 part coffee to 4 parts water (adjust based on personal preference).
• Stir the mixture to ensure all the coffee grounds are saturated with water.
• Seal the container and let it steep in the refrigerator for 12 to 24 hours.
• After steeping, strain the coffee using a fine mesh sieve, cheesecloth, or a coffee filter to separate the liquid from the grounds.
• Dilute the concentrated cold brew with water or milk to your desired strength and serve over ice.

Slow Drip Method (Dutch or Kyoto Style):

The slow drip method, also known as the Dutch or Kyoto style, involves a slow and gradual extraction process. If you have time and a lot of patience, or is it patience and a lot of time? I don't know, but we have NEITHER! Here's how it works:

• Set up a cold drip tower or Kyoto-style tower. It typically consists of a water reservoir, a drip valve, and a container for the coffee.
• Add ice cubes or cold water to the water reservoir, which will slowly drip onto the coffee.
• Place a filter or a cloth in the coffee container and add a layer of coarsely ground coffee.
• Adjust the drip valve to control the flow rate of water over the coffee grounds. The process can take several hours or even overnight.
• Collect the brewed coffee in a separate container.
• Dilute the resulting cold brew concentrate with water or milk according to your taste, as it can be quite strong.

The slow drip method produces a smooth and nuanced cold brew with a distinctive flavor profile. We like adding some water in with the ice on this one. Try it out sometime.

Japanese Iced Coffee:

While not technically a cold brew method, Japanese iced coffee offers a quick way to make a flavorful iced coffee. Here's how it's done:

• Prepare a pour-over device (e.g., Hario V60) and place it on top of a carafe or directly on top of a vessel filled with ice cubes.
• Grind your coffee beans to a medium-fine consistency.
• Add the coffee grounds to a filter in the pour-over device.
• Pour hot water (just below boiling point) over the coffee grounds in a circular motion, starting from the center and working your way outward.
• The hot coffee will melt the ice, rapidly cooling and extracting flavors as it passes through the grounds and filters into the carafe or vessel.
• Once the brewing is complete, remove the pour-over device and serve the iced coffee as is or dilute it with additional cold water or milk if desired.

Japanese iced coffee provides a vibrant and aromatic cup with the added benefit of quicker brewing compared to traditional cold brew methods.

These are just a few examples of the many methods of making cold brew coffee. Cold brew allows for experimentation with variables like grind size, steeping time, water-to-coffee ratio, and brewing equipment, allowing you to create a cold brew that suits your preferences in terms of strength, flavor, and smoothness.

Indulge in our refreshing Cold Brew and savor the unique flavors of our Special Noir blend. Pair it with either our Sumatra or Ethiopian coffees for an unforgettable experience. Trust us, you won't regret this delightful combination!