Are you one of those people who love cold brew coffee? Apart from the unique way of making it, the coffee produced also tastes smooth and not too sour. It is still very suitable for consumption by people with gastric disorders.
As with food, delicious cold brew coffee must also be made using quality coffee beans. So, what are the best beans for cold brew coffee?
Not to worry, we’ll tell you what are the best beans for cold brew coffee. You can also learn how to choose beans for cold brew coffee according to your personal preferences.
Table of Contents
What Is Cold Brew Coffee?
What is cold brew coffee? So, cold brew coffee is a coffee brewing method that is done by soaking coffee beans in cold water. This soaking is done for quite a long time, around 12-24 hours.
This process results in a smooth, rich, yet low-acidity coffee. Coffee lovers with gastric disorders can still enjoy this type of coffee. Cold brew coffee is also rich in caffeine – perfect for boosting your energy before your activities.
Also read: Known by Young People to Old People: History of Cold Brew Coffee
What Are The Best Beans for Cold Brew Coffee?
Cold brew coffee made with quality beans can have a unique flavor profile, ranging from sweet to bitter. Here are some of the best beans for cold-brew coffee:
1. Ethiopian Yirgacheffe
Ethiopian Yirgacheffe coffee is known for its complex flavor. You can taste the aftertaste of fruits such as blueberries plus the distinctive floral aroma.
This coffee is perfect for cold brew because you don’t need to add any additional sugar or other sweeteners. The resulting coffee will be naturally sweet!
2. Colombian Supremo
Moving on to Colombian Supremo, the most famous coffee in the world. Besides being rich in flavor, this coffee has subtle notes of chocolate and nuts. Enjoyed straight or mixed with milk, you can serve it as a safe and delicious cold brew coffee!
3. Brazilian Santos
Brazilian Santos coffee gives you a unique coffee flavor, combining earthy flavors with sweet caramel and chocolate notes.
With its low acidity and naturally sweet flavor, it’s no wonder that this coffee has been named one of the best beans for cold brew coffee. Opt for these beans if you’re a lover of classic, smooth coffee flavors.
4. Sumatra Mandheling
Sumatra Mandheling comes as one of the proud coffees of Indonesia. The flavor profile is thick, especially with pungent earthy and spice notes.
If served as a cold brew, this bean will produce a bold and satisfying coffee drink, especially if you are an experienced coffee connoisseur.
5. Guatemalan Antigua
The last coffee bean we recommend is Guatemalan Antigua. This is a coffee bean that has a complex flavor.
Typically, this coffee has notes of fruits, chocolate, and a hint of spice. It’s perfect for a lighter, cold-brew coffee that has some unique layers of flavor!
Single Origin or Blend?
When faced with two choices: single origin or blend, which one should you choose?
The truth is that each type of coffee has its advantages. Single-origin coffee beans generally highlight the unique characteristics of the producing region. Choose this type if you want a more authentic coffee experience.
Blend coffee beans, on the other hand, are usually designed to achieve a certain balance of flavors. Use these beans if you prefer to serve quality coffee consistently.
Arabica vs Robusta
Is Arabica or Robusta better for cold brew? Generally, Arabica coffee beans are often considered better for cold brew due to their smoother and sweeter flavor compared to Robusta which tends to be more bitter.
However, if your preference lies in the caffeine content, then go for Robusta coffee. This type of coffee usually contains extra caffeine and offers a relatively strong coffee flavor.
How to Choose the Best Beans for Cold Brew Coffee
How do you pick beans for cold brew? To produce a smooth and fresh cold brew, you need to be able to choose the beans that suit your preferences. Here’s how to quickly choose the best beans for cold-brew coffee!
1. Flavor Profile
Keep in mind that each coffee has its distinct notes, ranging from fruits, chocolate, and nuts to spices. For example, if you want a coffee with a sweet taste, choose Ethiopian Yirgacheffe as a coffee with fruity notes.
Meanwhile, if you prefer a rich and smooth coffee, choose Brazilian Santos, which has a slight chocolate or caramel aftertaste.
You can feel free to explore different types of coffee and decide which one tastes best for your palate!
2. Acidity Level
Typically, cold brew is served with a smooth flavor and low acidity. For this reason, choose beans that are not too acidic, such as Colombian Supremo or Sumatra Mandheling.
Aside from not matching the flavor profile of cold brew, acidic coffees are usually not suited to go through the cold flavor extraction process!
3. Freshness
Can we make cold-brew coffee with pretty old beans? You can, but we don’t recommend it. If you want a coffee with a more complex and aromatic flavor, we recommend using fresh beans!
For best results, we recommend making a cold brew with fresh-baked coffee beans. These beans should be finished within 2-4 weeks.
4. Roast Level
What roast is best for cold brew? Cold brew coffee is usually made with coffee roasted to medium roast to dark roast.
Medium roast gives the perfect flavor-soft, sweet, and not too sour to your cold brew at home. Meanwhile, the dark roast will produce a more intense coffee with sweet notes of chocolate and caramel.
You can use coffee roasted to light roast for a lighter, fruity flavor. Just make sure that the beans you choose have a low acid level.
How Do You Prepare Cold Brew Coffee?
How do you make the perfect cold-brew coffee? The answer depends on how you choose your beans, your serving technique, and the ratio of coffee to water. Let’s see together how to prepare the best-tasting cold brew coffee!
1. Choose the Right Grind Size
When making cold-brew coffee, make sure to choose the right grind size. What coffee bean grind is best for cold brew? It’s best to choose a coarse grind so that your cold-brew coffee has a smooth flavor. If the grind size is too fine, the process will result in bitter and unbalanced coffee.
2. Determine the Coffee to Water Ratio
What is the coffee bean ratio for cold brew? When you want to make cold brew coffee with a strong flavor, you should use the ideal ratio of coffee to water, which is 1:4 (1 part coffee to 4 parts water).
However, if you want a lighter-tasting coffee, use a ratio of 1:8. You can adjust this ratio until you get the right cold brew coffee flavor.
3. Use Quality Water
Make sure to use fresh, quality water that is colorless, tasteless and neutral in acidity. It is best to avoid water with a high mineral content. This type of water may affect the final result of your cold brew, even resulting in a less balanced extraction of the coffee.
4. Soak for the Right Time
If you want cold brew coffee with optimal flavor, you should soak the coffee beans at room temperature for 12-24 hours. This time can be extended for a more robust, more concentrated coffee flavor.
However, you should only soak the coffee for a short time. The reason is that the coffee will taste more bitter. It is best to do this process in a closed container to preserve the original aroma of the coffee beans.
5. Filter Well
After soaking, strain the coffee to separate the grounds from the liquid. Use a high-quality cloth or paper filter to keep your coffee free of residue.
As another option, you can also utilize a device like a French Press. For finer results, we recommend straining the coffee until it is entirely free of any remaining coffee particles.
6. Proper Storage
Your cold brew is now finished. Store the coffee in an airtight container to preserve its freshness and aroma. Although it can last up to 7 days, it is best to consume the coffee within 3-5 days to get the best flavor.
Find the Perfect Flavor in Your Cold Brew
So, those are some of the best beans for cold brew coffee. By knowing what beans are suitable for cold brew and preparing them for consumption, you can experiment as much as you want to create the most delicious coffee at home!
For quality coffee, of course, you need high-quality coffee beans. Find various types of coffee beans from Indonesia on the FnB Coffee website.
Here, you can choose from several delicious and interesting coffees, one of which includes Sumatra Mandheling–one of the best coffee beans for cold brew. What are you waiting for? Enjoy the freshness and unique taste of coffee with FnB’s best-selling beans!
