Enjoying a cold brew on a summer day is one of life’s simple pleasures so today I thought I’d share about the best coffee for your cold brew. In my opinion, cold brew is a great way to enjoy your coffee any time of the year and once you try it, you may not want to go back to “hot” coffee.
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Purity Coffee
No surprises here! Purity Coffee comes out on top again. I tested out the very best of the best organic coffee brands and Purity stood out amongst the crowd as the best coffee for cold brew. With the warm months upon us now, you will definitely want to check it out.
Use code GURLGONEGREEN to save 20% off first time Purity Coffee orders!
Related Content: Best Mold & Mycotoxin Free Coffee Brands
What Is Cold Brew?
Cold brew in technical coffee lingo is a cold water extraction process but in layman’s terms it’s simply allowing ground coffee to steep in water for an extended amount of time at room temperature or in the refrigerator.
Cold brew is relatively easy to make because you don’t need a kettle or a scale and isn’t as involved as other brewing methods.
The longer extraction process produces a rich and smooth cup of coffee. Cold brew contains less acid than hot coffee because the cold water extracts less oils from the coffee. It can also be gentler on stomachs than hot coffee because it is less acidic.
Cold brew can generally last for 7-10 days in the refrigerator which makes cold brew a great option for large parties or just for yourself.
Any There Any Cons To Cold Brew?
Some coffee connoisseurs don’t like cold brew because it lacks acidity and complexity. If you want to experience your coffee on a deeper level then cold brew might not be your first brew of choice.
Cold brew also takes more time to brew than your hot coffee varieties.
But, really, there’s not a whole lot to complain about when it comes to cold brew! Below I am comparing cold brew to two other brewing methods so you know the differences and which method might work best for you.
What is the difference between cold brew and iced coffee?
- Cold brew uses cold or room temperature water whereas iced coffee is made by brewing hot coffee and pouring it over ice
- Cold brew contains a higher caffeine content than iced coffee.
- Cold brew also is generally less acidic than iced coffee because hot water extracts acidic and bitter flavors more than cold water.
Another version of iced coffee that you may find in some coffee shops is called the “flash chill” or “flash brew” method.
This flash method reduces the ratio of water to coffee and immediately cools the coffee by brewing directly into an ice-filled cup or container.
What is the difference between cold brew and French press?
Both cold brew and French press offer similar results. Here are some difference:
- Cold brew uses cold water whereas French press uses hot water.
- Cold brew can filter water through the grounds whereas French press steeps the grounds in water.
- You will notice a less acidic and more mild taste with the cold brew method in comparison to French press which has an intense and robust flavor profile because of the extraction of all of the beans’ oils.
Related Content: The Best No Plastic Coffee Makers
What Type Of Coffee Beans Make The Best Cold Brew?
- Roast
Dark roast coffee beans make the best cold brew because they give cold brew that deeper taste profile. The low acidity of dark roasts make for a smooth cold brew.
- Single Origin
Single origin beans are preferred because they also allow for the nuances of the bean to be experienced in all of their cold brew glory.
- Arabica vs Robusta
Robusta beans are more acidic and have a higher caffeine content than Arabica beans.
Arabica beans are expensive to grow therefore they are more expensive to buy.
Arabica beans have a smoother and sweeter flavor profile in comparison to Robusta beans which tend to produce a bitter flavor profile.
Most coffee shops use Arabica coffee beans in their cold brews because most people prefer the taste of Arabica beans.
However, if you prefer a strong, bitter coffee, more in line with what you would get with your standard hot coffee, then you may prefer Robusta beans. As I mentioned above, they do contain more caffeine so they can make for a quick pick-me-up in the morning!
- Whole Bean vs. Ground
Normally, I wouldn’t recommend pre-ground coffee but due to the forgiving nature of cold brew, you could probably get away with pre-ground coffee. If you have a grinder, then buy a bag of whole bean coffee for the freshest and best flavor.
How Do You Make Cold Brew?
- Coarsely grind your coffee beans.
- Add the grounds to the cold brew maker. A good rule of thumb is a 1:8 or 1:9 ratio when brewing cold brew coffee. For example, you would add 8 grams of water for every 1 gram of ground coffee.
- Pour filtered water over the coffee grounds.
- Allow coffee to brew in the refrigerator for 12-24 hours.
- Dispose of coffee grounds.
- Serve cold brew over ice. A good day starts with a good cold brew!
Cold Brew Drip vs Immersion Method
There are actually two different ways you can make cold brew coffee. Here are am comparing them so you can pick which method works best for you!
| Cold Drip | Immersion | |
| Brew method | Percolate | Steep |
| Brew device | Cold drip tower | Mason jar, pitcher |
| Brew time | 3-12 hours | 12-24 hours |
| Brew difficulty | Difficult | Easy |
| Brew taste | Rich and full-bodied | Smooth and sweet |
Cold Brew Immersion Method
With the immersion method, coffee grounds are submerged in a pitcher or jar of water and allowed to steep. This is the most common cold brew method and what method I like to utilize.
Cold Brew Cold Drip Method
With the cold drip percolate method, water drips slowly from a water reservoir or tower through a bed of ground coffee and into a carafe.
The Best Coffees For Cold Brew
Purity Coffee
Price: $26
Roast Options: Decaf, Dark Roast, Medium Roast
Decaf: Yes- the best decaf!
Whole vs. Ground: They only offer whole bean coffee.
Review: It’s probably no surprise that Purity is at the top of the list when it comes to our favorite cold brew organic coffee pick as well! It just checks all the boxes. Not only is it organic but also mold and mycotoxin free. Not to mention it tastes amazing as a cold brew too! My hubs loves the EASE dark roast for a cold brew and I love the CALM decaf for a cold brew. It doesn’t taste bitter, super smooth and is strong enough for a cold brew.
Use code GURLGONEGREEN to save 20% off first time Purity Coffee orders!
Related Content: Purity Coffee Review
Fabula
Price: $28.95
Roast Options: Light, Medium, Dark, Espresso, Cold Brew, French Press, Turkish Coffee, Flavored options
Decaf: Yes, a medium and dark roast are available.
Whole vs. Ground: They offer ground and whole bean for most of their coffees.
Review: Fabula not only offers a decaf dark roast and regular dark roast but also a cold brew coffee! This is the one brand that is organic, mold and mycotoxin free and also is made specifically for a cold brew. Really checks all the boxes. This is a very low acid coffee and is great for those that suffer from acid reflux. So many reviews I read said they couldn’t drink coffee and then they tried Fabula and they don’t get it with Fabula! It’s also so smooth. I do recommend following the directions for making cold brew with their coffee to make sure you get a strong enough taste. Otherwise, it’s not as strong. They recommend 2 scoops per 6 oz.
Use code GGG20 to save 20% off your order!
Kion
Price: $26.95
Roast Options: Medium and dark roast available.
Decaf: Yes.
Whole vs. Ground: Yes, they offer ground or whole bean.
Review: I love how smooth Kion is. It’s a little more acidic still than the Fabula or Purity cold brew, but still good. It had a good strength since you need that in a cold brew. I liked the decaf and my hubs used the dark roast. It wasn’t bitter to him at all, he said. Really liked the smoothness. He thought it had a good bold flavor. Kion hits all the marks when it comes to mold and mycotoxin free coffee that’s also organic.
Use code GGG to get 10% off your order!
Kicking Horse
Price: $11.99
Roast Options: Light, Medium and Dark
Decaf: Yes
Whole vs. Ground: Yes, they offer ground and whole bean.
Review: Kicking Horse is one coffee brand that not only offers organic coffee but also mold testing. You can also find them at some Target locations. I loved how their decaf was so full of flavor and bold. Often with decafs you can get a watered down taste, but not with Kicking Horse. Their Kick Ass Dark Roast is equally as good as a cold brew. It has sweet notes, and a smokiness to it as well.
Peace Coffee
Price: $12.99
Roast Options: Light, medium and dark roast available.
Decaf: Yes
Whole vs. Ground: Yes, ground and whole bean.
Review: Their decaf was full bodied and smooth- very impressed with it overall, not too mention the price point. You can also find this at Target which is another huge win. My hubs tried the Tree Hugger dark roast and was so impressed with how smooth it was too. It wasn’t bitter to him at all. A total win when it comes to finding clean coffee that is budget friendly and easy to find!
Lifeboost
Price: $34.95
Roast Options: Light, medium, dark, espresso, midnight roasts.
Decaf: Yes
Whole vs. Ground: Yes, they offer both ground and whole bean coffee.
Review: I tried their decaf and loved the rich flavor profile! It’s also smooth full bodied. It is a spendy coffee for sure but it does really provide an amazing cup of coffee. My hubs tried the Embolden Dark Roast and loved how strong of flavor it had. It did have a slight bitterness to it he said, with a medium smoothness. I love that they test for all the things too! Plus, they’re organic and even offer flavored coffee if that’s your thing.
Use code GGG20 to save 20% off your order!
Related Content: Lifeboost Coffee (Pros + Cons)
Natural Force
Price: $24.99
Roast Options: Medium and dark.
Decaf: Yes
Whole vs. Ground: Whole bean only.
Review: I didn’t love the decaf coffee from Natural Force. It wasn’t that strong to me. Not a good option in my opinion for a cold brew coffee. However, I wanted to mention them because my hubs loved their Natural Force Dark Roast Coffee. He went through the whole bag and said it hit all the marks for a rich flavor and overall smoothness. A total winner for him! Natural Force is really next level when it comes to delivering a clean coffee to their consumer. From the packaging to their organic, mold and mycotoxin free coffee- no detail is spared!
My Favorite Cold Brew Recipe
Once you have your cold brew ready to go, I wanted to share my favorite way to drink it. Here is my favorite recipe:
What you’ll need
- Cold Brew Maker
- Coffee Grinder
- Coffee
- 1/2 Tbsp Pure Maple Syrup
- 1 Tbsp Coconut Milk
- Ice
- Pink Himalayan salt (optional)
Pour cold brew into an ice filled glass and add maple syrup and coconut milk for a sweet and creamy wake-up call!
If you’re feeling fancy, combine brewed coffee, maple syrup, and coconut milk in a cocktail shaker. Fill with ice, put the lid on and shake, shake, shake then pour into an ice filled glass.
Conclusion: The Very Best Coffee To Make Your Cold Brew At Home
It will probably come as no surprise that in my opinion, the best coffee for your cold brew is Purity Coffee. The name of Purity’s dark roast is called EASE and consists of 100% organic Arabica beans and is even recommended on their site for cold brew. As Purity states on their site, they are committed to
“ providing certified organic, specialty-grade, regeneratively or biodynamically farmed coffee that is measurably high in CGA and nutrients and tested to be free of defects and mycotoxins.”
In other words, Purity produces a perfect cup of coffee and their dark roast is the chef’s kiss for cold brew.
Use code GURLGONEGREEN for 20% off for first time customers!
Share your favorite coffee for cold brew in the comments below!
If you are looking for other ways to brew your coffee, check out these past posts:
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