There’s nothing quite like a cold brew. It’s refreshing, delicious, and the perfect way to perk yourself up as you prepare for the day ahead. But when you make yourself a cold brew, you want to ensure that you’re getting the best flavor and a decent caffeine boost.
The best beans for cold brew depend on what you want from your drink. A dark roast is ideal for a bold flavor, a medium roast provides refreshment and a good boost without the intensity of the former, and a light roast offers a subtle taste that remains delicious.
In this guide, we’re excited to take you through everything you need to know about choosing the best beans for your cold brew, what a cold brew is, and how to make one at home. That way, you’ll be refreshed and fully prepared to face the day.
Table of Contents
What is Cold Brew Coffee?
Cold brew coffee is a METHOD of brewing coffee that uses cold or room-temperature water instead of hot. This method extracts the flavor and caffeine from the beans but PRODUCES a less bitter beverage than TRADITIONALLY brewed coffee.
Cold brews are typically made by SOAKING ground coffee in cool or room temperature water for several hours, then FILTERING out the grounds before drinking.
The result is a smooth and mellow cup of joe with REDUCED acidity compared to the traditional hot brewed version. Cold brews can be served over ice for an EXTRA refreshing treat during warm days or used as an ingredient in OTHER drinks like lattes and frappuccinos.
Is Cold Brew Better Than Hot Coffee?
That really DEPENDS on your tastes. Cold brew coffee is less bitter and has a smoother flavor than hot brewed, making it a GREAT choice for those who want to reduce bitterness in their cup of joe.
Pro Tip: The cold brewing process is longer and more complex than hot coffee, and it is also harder to find at a coffee shop.
However, cold brews don’t have the SAME richness or complexity as hot brewed coffees because they lack some of the chemical reactions that occur DURING hot brewing.
In addition, cold brews generally have a LOWER caffeine content than hot brewed coffees because they use LESS ground coffee and need more time to steep.
Choosing the Best Beans for Cold Brew Coffee
When it comes to choosing the BEST beans for cold brew, you have a few options. The best beans will DEPEND on your desired flavor and caffeine level, so take time to figure out what you’re LOOKING for.
- Dark roast beans are best for those who want a bold flavor with a strong bite and higher caffeine content.
- Medium roast beans provide a more balanced flavor and good caffeine kick without the intense boldness of dark roasts.
- Light roast beans are best for people who prefer subtle flavors and don’t need a lot of caffeine in their drinks.
No matter which type of bean you choose, make sure you opt for FRESHLY roasted beans for the best flavor and AROMA.
Pro Tip: There are cold brew coffee beans and coffee grounds available from select retailers – perfect for making a refreshing cold brew.
The 5 Best Coffee Beans for Cold Brew
Not all beans are created equal, and there are SOME coffee beans that just hit the spot better than others. These five beans are DEFINITELY some of the best for making your cold brew pop.
1. Nicaraguan Coffee Beans
If you want to craft the most delectable cold brew, look no further than Nicaraguan Coffee Beans.
These beans bring forth a unique flavor profile that perfectly compliments your homemade cold brews; think full body and sweet aroma. Plus, their name alone is enough to add an extra touch of uniqueness.
Nicaragua’s volcanic soil gives the beans their DISTINCTIVE taste, full of earthy tones that are bold yet well-BALANCED. On top of that, the beans are a great source of caffeine.
2. Arabica Colombian Coffee Beans
The Arabica Colombian Coffee Beans are a CLASSIC choice for cold brews. These beans have a sweet and smooth flavor profile with HINTS of chocolate, caramel, and nuts.
The well-balanced taste makes them PERFECT for those who don’t want an overly intense coffee experience. The caffeine content is also MODERATE, making these beans a great choice for those looking to get a nice ENERGY boost without being overwhelmed.
3. Guatemalan Coffee Beans
Guatemalan Coffee Beans are the ideal option for coffee connoisseurs who crave a bold flavor profile in their cold brews.
These beans boast an intense taste with notes of chocolate, nuts, and spices that will tantalize your senses. Enjoy their full-bodied richness and experience why these beans have become so popular among java aficionados.
The medium roast of these beans provides a good BALANCE between the bold flavors and the SWEETNESS of the coffee. In addition, the beans offer a good amount of caffeine to boost your energy.
4. Indonesian Coffee Beans
Indonesian Coffee Beans have a STRONG and bold flavor profile with notes of dark chocolate, spices, and smoke. The beans are best for those who want a COMPLEX-tasting cold brew that isn’t OVERLY acidic or bitter.
The Indonesian beans also offer a GOOD amount of caffeine to give you the energy boost you need and the BOLD flavor you want.
5. Colombian Supremo Coffee Beans
The Colombian Supremo Coffee Beans are a FANTASTIC choice for cold brews. These beans have a smooth and SWEET flavor with hints of nuttiness and chocolate.
The medium roast gives the coffee a well-balanced taste that is PERFECT for those who don’t want something too intense.
These beans offer an IMPRESSIVE amount of caffeine, making them the perfect choice for those looking to get an EXTRA kick from their cold brew.
How Do You Choose the Right Beans for Cold Brew?
When it comes to choosing the best beans for cold brew, there are SEVERAL factors to consider. From roast level and ORIGIN to quality and freshness, selecting the right beans can make all the DIFFERENCE in your cup of joe.
Roast Level
First, consider the roast level of your beans. Dark roasts are BEST for those who want a bold flavor and HIGHER caffeine content, while medium roasts provide a less intense taste with good caffeine levels. Light roasts offer SUBTLE flavors and lower caffeine.
Origins
Next, look at the origin of the beans—where they come from and HOW they were grown. Different beans will provide DIFFERENT flavor profiles depending on where they’re grown, so take some time to EXPLORE what’s available in your area.
Freshness
Finally, make sure you buy FRESHLY roasted beans for the best flavor and aroma. Look for beans that have been RECENTLY roasted within the last few weeks or months.
How Do You Experiment with Blending Beans?
Experimenting with BLENDING different types of beans to create your own unique cold brew flavors is a great way to CUSTOMIZE your coffee experience.
Pro Tip: Blending beans can give you the perfect combination of flavor, aroma, and caffeine content for your needs.
However, it’s important to make sure that you are selecting the BEST quality beans as well as finding the right BALANCE between light and dark roasts in order to get the best results from your blend.
To blend beans, you need to start with a BASE bean. This can be either light, medium or dark roast and should provide the MAJORITY of your blend.
Then, you can add OTHER types of beans to add subtle flavors and aromas. Keep in mind that each type of bean will have its own UNIQUE character, so experiment until you find the best COMBINATION for your cold brew.
Should You Buy Fair Trade Organic Beans?
When it comes to making the BEST cold brew coffee, one of the best choices you can make is to buy fair trade ORGANIC beans.
Fair trade ensures that farmers are paid a LIVING wage for their work, and organic certification means that no toxic chemicals have been used in GROWING or processing the beans [2].
Buying these types of beans also supports SUSTAINABLE farming practices, which help protect our environment from HARMFUL pollutants.
Quality
First, fair trade organic beans are of the best QUALITY. These beans are grown in healthy soils with natural fertilizers and no toxins, giving you a fresher, MORE flavorful cup of coffee.
Living Wage
Second, buying fair-trade organic beans SUPPORTS farmers who practice sustainable farming techniques and helps ensure that they get paid a living WAGE for their work.
Sustainability
Finally, organic beans are BETTER for the environment. Organic farming methods help reduce water pollution and soil erosion while ELIMINATING the use of toxic chemicals which harm our air, land and water.
Is Cold Brew Coffee Good for You?
Cold brew coffee is becoming INCREASINGLY popular among health-conscious coffee drinkers due to its SMOOTH taste and low acidity.
But is cold brew really GOOD for you? Cold brew can be a healthier choice than regular hot brewed coffee, depending on how it’s PREPARED and what type of beans are used. Let’s explore the potential BENEFITS of cold brew coffee.
Less Acidic
First, cold-brew coffee is known to be significantly LESS acidic than hot-brewed coffee. This means it’s GENTLER on the stomach and can help reduce heartburn or acid reflux in those with SENSITIVE stomachs.
Antioxidants
Second, cold brewing also helps PRESERVE beneficial antioxidants found in coffee beans that are degraded when exposed to heat. This makes cold brew coffee a GREAT source of antioxidants that can help PROTECT your cells from damage and reduce inflammation [1].
More Caffeine
Finally, when it comes to caffeine content, cold brewed coffee has the POTENTIAL to be higher in caffeine than hot brewed due to its LONGER extraction process. But using the best beans for cold brew will ENSURE that you get the best flavor and the right amount of caffeine.
Frequently Asked Questions
How Caffeinated is Cold Brew?
The amount of caffeine in cold brew varies depending on the beans used and how long it’s steeped. Generally, it has more caffeine than hot-brewed coffee because of the longer extraction time.
What is the Best Grind Size for Cold Brew?
For best results, use coarsely ground coffee beans for cold brewing. This allows the water to extract more flavor without making your coffee overly bitter or acidic.
Are All Beans Suitable for Cold Brew?
Yes, all types of beans can be used for cold brew. However, the best beans will depend on your desired flavor and caffeine level.
Is Cold Brew the Same as Iced Coffee?
No, cold brew and iced coffee are not the same. Iced coffee is brewed hot and then cooled down with ice, whereas cold brew is made with room temperature or cold water over an extended period of time.
Conclusion
Making cold brew coffee at home is an EASY and cost-effective way to enjoy the best flavor and aroma of FRESHLY roasted beans.
Depending on your DESIRED flavor and caffeine level, you can choose from a variety of different beans for your COLD brew recipe.
Remember that coarsely ground beans are best for OPTIMAL extraction, so be sure to use them in order to get the best results. With these tips in mind, you’ll be able to make DELICIOUS homemade cold brews with EASE.