Cold Brew

The Cold Brew method is arguably the easiest way to make coffee, granted the maker has to have a little bit of patience. The process can take anywhere from 12 to 24 hours. Although the time spent actually making it is only about 15 to 20 minutes. The whole process relies on the coffee being able to brew in cold water for an extended period of time (12-24 hrs) this allows the flavours to seep through without making the coffee acidic. The coffee can then be used to make cold or hot drinks. 

The Cold Brew can be made in either concentrated form or ready to drink form. The concentrate is made up of 1:4 parts coffee to water. The coffee is then diluted when making a beverage. Where as the ready to drink is made up of 1:8 parts coffee to water. 

This way of making coffee is delicious and perfect for camping (or where there is no access to hot water) and also great when large quantities of coffee are required. There really is no limit on the size of the batch you make. 

The coffee will keep in the fridge for about 1-2 weeks without losing any of its flavour. 

Here's how we cold brew a coffee concentrate (1:4 parts coffee to water) :

1. Obtain a glass jar and place 100gr of coarsely ground coffee.

The grind should be as coarse as possible, preferably coarser than the grind for a cafetiere. It should feel similar to sand.  

2. Add 400ml of cold water to the glass jar.

Once the water is added stir with a wooden spoon or a chopstick, try to avoid using metal. Stir until all the coffee is coated with water

3. Cover and allow the coffee to brew at room temperature for about 12-16 hours.

Stir occasionally during this period 

4. Filter the coffee.

This can be done in many different ways, we filtered twice: first through a sift and then through a filter paper. This produces a really clean texture to the coffee. However, anything can be used to filter the coffee: a cheese cloth, old t-shirt, cafetiere, chemex, really anything that will remove the grounds effectively from the coffee.  

5. Add the coffee to your beverage and enjoy.

It can be added to boiling water to enjoy it as a hot beverage or over ice to serve as a cold drink. The possibilities are endless. 

6. Place the cold brew in the fridge and keep for 1-2 weeks. 

It will keep for 1 to 2 weeks without losing any of its flavours. Remember to enjoy and Skin the Goat, Bang Bang and Johnny Forty Coats are always on hand for your home brewing.