Crafting Cold Brew Coffee at Home
Experience the sophisticated flavours of cold brew coffee right from the comfort of your home. This slow-steeping procedure unlocks a unique silky, opulent, and full-bodied taste that you can't achieve with other coffee variants. Discover how cold brew stands out from regular coffee, and acquire the knowledge to create your own exquisite cold brew delights.
Understanding the Cold Brew Coffee Method
The cold brew coffee method involves steeping coarsely ground coffee in chilled water for 12 to 24 hours to yield a concentrated coffee extract. Typically, this concentrate is diluted with water or milk, or served over ice. This heatless brewing method results in a velvety, well-rounded flavour that can stand in contrast to some traditional heated brewing methods.
The gradual, prolonged steeping process allows different compounds to dissolve in cold water versus hot water. Cold brewing extracts less acid, resulting in a subtly sweeter and more mellow taste. Although you may miss the bright and fruity notes present in traditional coffee, you will be rewarded with a lush, full-bodied brew.
Is Cold Brew More Intense Than Regular Coffee?
Although cold brew creates a concentrated coffee that's more potent than regular coffee, it's typically combined with water, milk, or other ingredients prior to consumption. Once diluted, its intensity is similar to that of a conventional cup of coffee. For a more robust coffee experience, you can opt out of adding water or milk and savour the concentrate with a touch of cream or ice. Cold brew coffee is a versatile beverage that marries well with other flavours, so feel free to experiment and concoct your perfect blend.
Essentials for Making Cold Brew Coffee at Home
A cold brew coffee maker specifically designed for this purpose makes the process more convenient and could enhance your brew's quality. However, the underlying principle remains the same irrespective of the equipment you use. To embark on your cold brew journey at home, you'll need:
Coarsely ground coffee
Filtered water, cold or room temperature
A container to hold the grounds and water
A steeper or filter for the coffee grounds
If you have a cold brew coffee maker, it should include everything you need to make cold brew coffee at home except for the coffee grounds and water. The KitchenAid® Cold Brew Coffee Maker is user-friendly, easy to pour and clean. The provided stainless steel steeper comes with fill-level indicators to simplify the brewing process. After brewing, a built-in stainless steel tap allows for effortless dispensing of your cold brew. The glass and stainless steel components contribute to preserving taste and facilitate easy cleanup.
Creating Cold Brew Coffee at Home: A Step-by-Step Guide
Initiate your cold brew creation with fresh, coarsely ground coffee. Add this to a steeper, then immerse it in room temperature or chilled water for 12 to 24 hours. The precise coffee-to-water ratio will depend on various factors, including your cold brewer's design. A general guideline is approximately one part coffee to just under five parts water.
Assembling Your Cold Brewer
If you're using a KitchenAid® model, first ensure the tap is closed by turning it to the left. Place the outer lid on the brew jar and insert the steeper, making sure the steeper handle is flat. For other models, refer to your owner’s manual.
Add Coffee
Add coffee grounds into the steeper or filter. Maintain a coffee-to-water ratio of roughly 1:5, but follow instructions for your specific model. Remember to use coarsely ground coffee, with freshness being key.
Add Water
Pour about 2/3 of the total cold water over the grounds in a circular motion. Pause to let the grounds soak up the water, then pour in the remaining water.
Submerging the Grounds and Brewing
Using a spoon, press down the grounds, making sure they are covered by the water. Put on the lid or cover with plastic wrap if using a homemade setup. Brew in the refrigerator or at room temperature for 12 to 24 hours.
Draining the Steeper or Filter
After brewing, remove the lid or covering; KitchenAid® models have a handle for easy steeper lifting. Position the steeper or filter at an angle on the brew container and let it drain for three minutes, then adjust the angle and let it drain for another two minutes.
Remove the Grounds
Compost or dispose of the used grounds. Clean the steeper or filter as per the “Care and Cleaning” instructions if reusable. KitchenAid® models come with a reusable stainless steel steeper.
Storing Cold Brew Concentrate
Replace the steeper lid or covering on the brew container and refrigerate the concentrate.
Serving Cold Brew
Dispense as needed or, if using a KitchenAid® model, turn the tap to the right. You can serve it straight from the refrigerator, or move to a countertop. Thanks to the convenient handle, you can even take it with you to picnics or events.
Tips to Perfect Your Cold Brew Coffee Recipe
Know how to brew the finest cold brew at home with answers to all your cold brew inquiries. Begin with fresh coarsely ground coffee and cool, filtered water. Here are additional tips for a stellar cold brew every time.
Ideal Coffee to Water Ratio for Cold Brew
Start with the ratios and timings suggested in your owner’s manual, then venture into experimenting with different variables to suit your personal preference. You may discover that the composition of your water or your coffee type require slight adjustments to the coffee-to-water ratios or brew times to create your dream cold brew. If you're using the KitchenAid® Cold Brew Coffee Maker, start with a ratio of nine oz. (266 ml) of coffee to 42 oz. (1242 ml) of water for the standard-sized model, with brew times between 12 and 24 hours.
Choosing the Best Coffee Beans for Cold Brew
For pure cold brew or when served over ice, medium roast coffee is a brilliant choice. If you're planning to add milk, cream, or use it in a recipe, opt for a dark roast to let the coffee flavours take centre stage. Regardless of the bean type, ensure they are correctly ground for the cold brewing method.
Best Method to Grind Coffee Beans for Cold Brew
Cold brew coffee beans should be ground just prior to brewing—a coarse grind is optimal for cold brew to allow for easy extraction. If using the KitchenAid® Burr Grinder, use settings one to three. Pre-ground coffee from the store is generally finer and intended for auto-drip machines. It can be used for cold brew, but make sure to stir the saturated grounds so the water can infiltrate the denser grind.
Choose from our different types of grinders to brew the best coffee.
Storage Life of Cold Brew
Cold brew coffee can be stored in an airtight container for approximately one week. The flavour may deteriorate slightly over time, but a significant change in taste is an indication that it's time to brew a new batch. Prolong your cold brew's life by keeping it concentrated until just before serving. Adding water shortens its lifespan. Once you've mixed the cold brew concentrate with other ingredients, consume it promptly.
Can You Make Anything Else With a Cold Brew Coffee Maker?
The versatility of a cold brew coffee maker stretches beyond coffee, making it suitable for other cold immersion concoctions like cold brew tea. To craft a strong and flavorful iced tea using your cold brew coffee maker, simply substitute the coffee grounds with loose tea leaves and let them steep. The exact steeping duration will depend on the type of tea you're using: typically, green and white teas require between four to six hours, while black and oolong teas need about eight to twelve hours. A standard ratio to follow would be four ounces of tea for every 42 ounces (1242 ml) of water.
Your cold brew coffee maker is also ideal for creating refreshing water infusions. Fill it with water and introduce your preferred fruits, invigorating vegetables, and even herbs and edible flowers. Experiment with soothing blends like cucumber, honeydew, and mint, or enliven your palate with a fusion of blackberries, oranges, and fresh ginger.
Discover the Magic of Cold Brew with the KitchenAid® Cold Brew Coffee Maker
Experience the delight of crafting your own cold brew at home with ease, thanks to the KitchenAid® Cold Brew Coffee Maker. Get yours today and indulge in the richness of freshly brewed coffee anytime.
