Cold Brew : the new trend in iced coffee is easy to prepare at home !

In Greece, we tend to enjoy iced coffee a little more compared to other countries. After Frappe and Freddo, another kind of iced coffee is gaining popularity : Cold Brew. 

Cold Brew is the iced version of filter coffee - with the decisive difference that it is not a coffee filter that has been cooled, but, as its name suggests, acoffee that has been distilled in cold water in the first place. Unlike most known extraction methods, which require hot water, Cold Brew is extracted directly into cold water, making the process considerably longer than conventional methods - Cold Brew preparation can last up to 24 hours.

The different extraction method affects both the chemical composition of Cold Brew and its flavor. As the process is softer and the temperatures are lower, cold brew is sweeter than conventional coffee, characterized by lower acidity and fruity flavors. The absence of bitternes and its aroma can confuse a coffee lover who is not used to it, as many first timers tend to believe that Cold Brew has alcohol.

Although Cold Brew became popular during the last decade, its roots are far older and originate in Japan. Extracting coffee in cold water has been known in Japan almost since the introduction of coffee in the Far East, with the most notable example being the Kyoto Coffee, reminiscent of the drink we now know as Cold Brew. A similar extraction method was widely used in army camps, as an easy way to easily produce coffee for hundreds of people. In its current form, Cold Brew production starged in USA, mainly in New York and San Francisco, and from there it spread to the whole world.

Although it is connected to hipster hangouts and popular coffee chains, Cold Brew is very easy to prepare at home. In fact, it’s preparation is easier than any other coffee - it just requires a little experimentation to adapt it to your own personal taste.

What do you need to prepare Cold Brew at home : 

• Filter Coffee (coarse grind)
• Water at room temperature
• A vase
• A cotton cloth

How to prepare Cold Brew Coffee :

• Place coffee at the bottom of the vase
• Add the water (use 250g of coffee for 1.5kg of water) and gently stir for 10''
• Place the vase in the fridge, where it is supposed to stay for at least 12 hours.
• Take the vase out of the fridge and filter the coffee carefully, using the table cloth. If required, repeat two or three times : cold brew coffee should be clear.
• Place Cold Brew coffee in a bottle or distribute it into smaller bottles ; store the bottles in the fridge.
• Serve with ice.

Tips for an enjoyable Cold Brew :

• Using coarse grind coffee is crucial. Using fine grind coffee can result to a muddy, murky drink.
• Minium extraction time is set to 12 hours. Let the coffee extract more than that depends on one's personal taste, as the longer the extraction time gets, the stronger Cold Brew will be. Do not let it more than 24 hours, because in this case the result will taste bitter.
• Depending how much coffee you will use is also a matter of taste. Although 1:6 ratio is pretty popular, many use the 1:8 ratio for a sublter, sweeter drink. 
• It's important to carefull filter cold brew coffee after the extraction. Otherwise, our drink will be muddy and the extraction will continue to take place, resulting in a bitter coffee.
• It's a good idea to sterilise the bottles and the vase you're going to use. 15 minutes in the oven at a temperature of 100oc is fine for a simple sterilization.
• Cold Brew Coffe can be stored at the fridge for up to 20 days.
• Usually Cold Brew is enjoyed just with ice, but many argue that it tastes better if you add some milk. There is usually no need to add sugar, though ; Cold Brew is known for its sweet aftertaste.
• Cold Brew is gentle and less strong than other coffees. If you don't it to get dilluted by the ice cubes, a good idea is to prepare some Cold Brew ice cubes instead !