Coffee expert and owner of Fazenda Coffee Roasters Phil Schein explains what cold brew is, how it differs from iced coffee, and how to make cold brew at home. Because it’s concentrated, cold brew is much stronger than traditional drip coffee. You can dilute it with more water or milk, although this step isn’t required. “Some people will drink it almost straight, with maybe a little bit of milk,” Schein says. “Others might do a one-to-one or a two-to-one ratio of water to concentrate.” Since it is a concentrate, cold brew tends to be stronger than iced coffee, and according to registered nutritionist Nour Zibdeh, M.S., RDN, “cold brewing extracts less acid and bitter compounds from the beans, which can make coffee easier to tolerate.” Here: a deeper look at the difference between cold brew and iced coffee. To filter the grounds, you can use something as simple as a paper coffee filter or a cheesecloth. “You can also use a French press if you want to,” Schein says. “That wouldn’t filter it the same, but it’s an easy way to do it, and it works well.” If you’re interested in buying a more specific piece of brewing equipment, Schein recommends this cold brew maker from OXO. Here’s exactly what you need to do to make your own cold brew: How you steep the grounds can also alter the flavor. There’s no right or wrong way to steep them, but some people choose to leave theirs at room temperature for 12 hours, which will create a bigger mouthfeel with more chocolate notes, according to Schein. Whereas, steeping in the fridge will lead to cleaner and brighter notes. It’s really all about preference, though. Try a variety of steeping methods and beans (including decaf, if that’s your thing) until you find your favorite.
