Cold brew is a refreshing drink in the summer. Anyone who loves cold brew coffee knows that using high-quality beans is the key to its perfect taste.
We grind coffee beans before making this delicious beverage. But have you ever tried to make it without grinding coffee beans? It is an interesting question indeed.
In this article, we will find this question’s answer and know other relevant information. Read and enjoy.
The Answer Is Here
Can you make a cold brew with whole beans? The answer is yes. You can absolutely use whole beans to make a cold brew. Many people even believe that using whole beans results in a richer and more flavorful cup of cold brew coffee.
The taste of cold brew coffee depends on the right coarseness. It never should be too fine; otherwise, the coffee will be over-extracted and bitter.
Coffee experts recommend using medium to extra coarse grind while making cold brews. However, using whole coffee beans without grinding is also acceptable. Cold brews made with whole coffee beans may become your new favorite way to enjoy coffee.
- The Answer Is Here
- Which Is the Best Grind for Cold Brew?
- Will You Notice Any Difference While Using Whole Beans in a Cold Brew?
- Do You Need Special Beans for Cold Brew?
- Which Coffee Bean and Roast Is Best for Cold Brew?
- Which Ratio Should You Follow for Cold Brew?
- How Should The Ratio Be for 1 Liter of Cold Brew?
- How to Make Cold Brew Coffee with Whole Beans?
- Should You Make Cold Brew in the Fridge or at Room Temperature?
- Final Words
Which Is the Best Grind for Cold Brew?
Coffee Bean
The name of coarse coffee grind comes first while making cold brew. But, an extra coarse grind is ideal for cold brew since it will help to reduce the bitterness of the coffee. Besides, you will need to use more coffee than usual because the cold water will extract less of the coffee’s flavor than hot water would.
Read: Can You Make Instant Coffee with Cold Water?
Will You Notice Any Difference While Using Whole Beans in a Cold Brew?
This should be a very relevant query because you are going to experiment with a strange thing.
In general, cold brewing takes 8 to 24 hours to be drinkable. Regular ground coffees are very small and ready to use for making cold brews. They will completely release the flavor in water after a few hours of soaking.
On the other hand, using whole beans takes longer to make a cold brew for several reasons. They have a larger surface area than ground beans. So, they will naturally take longer to extract fully.
This longer extraction time gives cold brew its characteristic bold flavor. Though making a cold brew with whole beans can take a bit longer, the extra effort is definitely worth it.
Read: Can You Make Coffee in a Tea Infuser?
Do You Need Special Beans for Cold Brew?
Coffee enthusiasts believe that cold brew is the superior brewing method. One common question is whether you need to use special beans for cold brew. The answer is no. Any type of coffee bean can be used for cold brewing.
You can find the perfect grind size for your cold brew coffee with a little trial and error. Once you have mastered the basics, you can experiment with different beans to find your perfect cup of cold brew.
Which Coffee Bean and Roast Is Best for Cold Brew?
In short, the Arabica-dark roast is the best combination for cold brew coffee.
Arabica beans are generally considered the ideal type of bean for cold brew. Big coffeehouse brands like Starbucks also use 100% Arabic beans in their cold brew recipe.
This coffee bean has a higher acidity than other types of beans, which helps to give the cold brew its signature brightness and depth of flavor. Arabica beans also are less oily than other types of beans, making them less likely to clog filters and producing a smoother final beverage.
When it comes to roast, dark roasts are generally considered the best for cold brew. They have a lower acidity than lighter roasts, giving the coffee a smoother flavor. Dark roasts also help to equalize the sweetness of the added milk or cream.
Read: Why is Iced Coffee More Expensive than Hot Coffee?
Which Ratio Should You Follow for Cold Brew?
Depending on their taste preference, people follow different ground-to-water ratios for making cold brews. It is difficult to say which one you will prefer. However, the common cold brew ratios are as follows:
1:5 – this ground-to-water ratio is generally considered the standard for making cold brew.
1:4 – this ratio of ground to water will help you make stronger cold brew coffee.
1:2 – if you want to make bolder tasting cold brew, follow this ground-to-water ratio.
How Should The Ratio Be for 1 Liter of Cold Brew?
The perfect ratio of coffee to water for a liter of cold brew is between 50 to 80 grams. This will result in a smooth and well-balanced beverage. It is neither too little nor too much. The 50 to the 80-gram range is the sweet spot for yielding a flavorful cup of cold brew.
Of course, the specific ratio you use will also depend on your personal preferences. So, feel free to try different ratios until you find your perfect match.
Read: How Much Cold Brew Is Too Much?
How to Make Cold Brew Coffee with Whole Beans?
Making cold brew coffee with whole beans is much easier than you think. Here is the simple Mason jar cold brewing method you can try at home.
To make cold brew coffee in a mason jar, you will need:
- coffee beans
- water
- a mason jar
- a strainer
- a bowl or container to pour the coffee
- a spoon or ladle
Steps to follow:
1. Add ½ cup of coffee beans to the mason jar.
2. Fill the jar with water, making sure all of the beans are wet.
3. Close the lid and put it in the refrigerator or room temperature for 12-24 hours.
4. After 12-24 hours, remove the jar’s lid and strain the coffee using the strainer.
5. Pour the coffee into a bowl or other container and enjoy.
Read: Does Iced Coffee Keep You Awake?
Should You Make Cold Brew in the Fridge or at Room Temperature?
It is a big debate among cold brew lovers – whether you should make cold brew in a refrigerator or at room temperature. Actually, both methods have their pros and cons. So, it really depends on your personal preferences.
If you make cold brew in the refrigerator, the brewing process will take longer since the water will be colder. So, you will need to plan ahead and make your cold brew a day or two in advance.
On the other hand, if you make cold brew at room temperature, the brewing process will be much faster. Warmer water extracts flavors from coffee beans more quickly.
Ultimately, it is up to you to decide which method you prefer. Making cold brew at room temperature may be the way to go if you need it quickly. But brewing your cold brew in the fridge is the way to go if you are looking for a smoother flavor.
The key to making stronger cold brew coffee is to use less water and more coffee grounds than normal brewed coffee. It allows the coffee to retain its flavor and avoid becoming watered down. You can follow a 1:2 ground-to-water ratio for a stronger cold brew.
Final Words
The final thought is that making cold brews with whole coffee beans is okay. It will even reduce your hassle of filtering the drinkable coffee. But, the only drawback of this method is its longer time than traditional cold brewing. Besides, the taste of your coffee can be a little different. Except for those issues, it is definitely worth trying at least once.
References:
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5740146/
