What coffee should I choose to prepare Cold Brew?
A mini guide to always make our Cold Brew as we like it.
Cold extraction coffee, our well-known Cold Brew, is not just a gastronomic trend of the Millenials generation, but a new reality in the coffee industry that has come to stay. We've already seen how easy it is to prepare Cold Brew at home, following a few simple steps we can find here. But what coffee should we choose?
Coffee is first and foremost a matter of personal taste. The following tips are by no means rules and "musts", but more of a compass for everyone to discover the coffee that suits their own taste buds, to end up with the most enjoyable and delicious Cold Brew - the coffee they deserve.
What Coffee Should I Choose to prepare Cold Brew?
Single Origin vs Blend: There are many who claim that single-origin coffees give better results in cold extraction than blends. On the one hand, this is a fact, as cold extraction emphasizes some of the characteristics of coffee that are usually more pronounced in single-variety coffees and not so much in blends. On the other hand, the fact that Cold Brew is linked to the "Third Wave of Coffee", which is notorious for its commitment to single origin coffees, may justify the fact that many Cold Brews are made from single-origin coffee. Still, speaking in marketing terms, a single origin cold brew coffee is easier to promote to the buying public. The truth is that a good coffee, with a rich aromatic profile, vibrant acidity and delicious notes that move in chocolate, fruit, flowers or nuts, will give excellent results in cold extraction, whether it is single-variety or blend.
Light vs Dark Roasting: As in hot coffee, so in Cold Brew the degree of roasting is a matter of taste alone, as any roasting can give very good results. Many prefer medium roasting for more balanced results, while too much dark roasting, while it can give very good espresso, may have a bit of a "monotonous" effect on Cold Brew.
Arabica vs Robusta: While in cold preparations, such as Freddo Espresso, it is better to choose blends with a content of at least 20-30% in Robusta, in order for cold coffee to keep its body, in cold extraction this is not necessary, as well as the whole philosophy of the drink, but also the extraction mechanism are different. 100% Arabica coffees are preferable in this case, as they will unfold flavors and aromas in a unique way. A blend with Robusta can of course be extracted in Cold Brew, but the results (most likely) will not be as impressive in the mouth and nose.
Grinding Deegree: Here things are clear: our coffee must be coarsely ground, with a texture reminiscent of coarse sea salt. With finer grinding we will end up with a bitter coffee, due to the over-extraction, while the final result will be cloudy and full of particles, due to the difficulty in filtering. With a little experimentation, we will easily come to the right grind, correcting minor differences by changing the extraction time. Indicatively, we grind as for a French Press coffee maker or a little thicker.
Country of Origin: Coffees (or blends) from different countries of origin show different accentuated characteristics, which are particularly emphasized by cold extraction. What we choose is a matter of taste. Coffee from South America usually gives a full flavor, with a finish reminiscent of chocolate or honey and is characterized by balance. African coffees have a particularly lively acidity, with strong aromas of fruit and flowers and are more adventurous. Asian coffees are not particularly impressive in Cold Brew version, due to their earthy aromas, but they have a fanatical audience that does not change them at all.
Sugar or Milk: Cold Brew is characterized by natural sweetness, so adding sugar is unnecessary - although it's a matter of taste. With the addition of milk we have a delicious Cold Brew Latte. We prefer evaporated milk for higher density.
Which blends give better results to Cold Brew?
Lavazza Tierra: A premium blend from Lavazza, consisting of 100% Arabica beans from Brazil, Colombia and Peru. The taste is dominated by notes of chocolate and dried fruit.
Illy Classico: Illy's favorite, classic, "red" blend is famous for its adaptability, as it can give balanced results in any preparation. It is 100% natural Arabica, with notes of chocolate and caramel complemented by distinctive floral aromas.
Ipanema Espresso: A unique, 100% Arabica coffee from Brazil, with distinctive notes of honey and citrus, fits Cold Brew's character wonderfully
Buondi Craft Single Origin Honduras: A special, 100% Arabica single-variety coffee from Honduras, with an extremely complex bouquet of aromas and flavors, reminiscent of fruit and citrus to molasses and tea, resulting in a special Cold Brew that will drive any coffee connoisseur crazy.
There's nothing better than opening a fridge on a hot summer's day and finding a bottle of delicious, refreshing Cold Brew - especially if you've made it yourself, tailored to your tastes.
