If we asked you if you knew cold brew coffee, your answer would certainly be yes. But what if the question was whether you know cold brew? In that case, you might not have even heard of it. If so, you don’t have to worry, as we are talking about a special cold brew coffee preparation that few people know about.
Unlike the classic version, cold brew coffee is rich in aromatic properties and can be stored in the refrigerator for more than a day. Would you like to taste such ambrosia? Then you’ve come to the right place! All you have to do is read on and find out how to prepare this delicious cold brew.
What is cold brew
As you certainly know, if you want to drink a good coffee, you should do it with the right machine. This is why we at Pontevecchio have specialised in lever machines that, besides boasting simple and intuitive operation, are able to make you enjoy a coffee rich in all its nutrients.
That is why, if you want to enjoy a cup of your favourite beverage prepared to perfection, all you have to do is discover the right coffee machine for you! Alternatively, you might feel the need to experiment and try a coffee you have never tried before: a coffee like cold brew.
This beverage is nothing more than the result of a cold extraction system with a rather long brewing time, ranging from a minimum of 7 to a maximum of 24 hours. In fact, the secret consists in soaking some not too finely ground coffee beans in cold water and, depending on the amount of water used, it is possible to identify two variants of cold brew. We have in fact:
- cold brew ready, ready to drink and prepared according to a 1 in 12/20 ratio of coffee to water, which, translated, is equivalent to 30 g of coffee in 600 ml of water;
- cold brew concentrated, designed to be diluted with milk. In this case, the ratio is 1 to 4/6, i.e., 30 g of coffee in 150 ml of water.
But how is coffee prepared in this way?
How cold brew works
What happens during the preparation of the cold brew is almost ‘magic’. The water, passing through the coffee powder, captures its characteristics, coming out coloured and full of aroma.
But that’s not all: another characteristic of cold brew (or to be more precise, of cold coffee obtained through cold brew) is its great resistance, which allows it to be stored in the refrigerator for up to 2/3 days.
And what about the taste? If you are wondering, know that this special preparation guarantees you a pleasantly sweet coffee, to the extent that it is appreciated even by those who are not used to drinking it. This is because cold brew is a very special treatment, which allows you to obtain a coffee that is completely different from normal cold coffee.
Difference between cold brew and iced coffee
Since we know about coffee, we know perfectly well the difference between a good cold brew and a ‘simple’ iced coffee. Nevertheless, if you have a little experience with coffee, we are sure you have guessed it too.
Preparing cold brew coffee, after all, is quite easy: all you have to do is make yourself a normal espresso (perhaps with the help of one of our lever machines!) and cool it with ice, then store it in the fridge for a rather short time.
Cold brew coffee, on the other hand, guarantees a pleasantly sweet and full aroma that you can enjoy for a long time thanks to its ability to keep for longer periods of time.
How to make cold brew at home
Now that you understand what cold brew consists of, we are ready to reveal the secrets of its recipe, starting with what you need to prepare it.
Preparing the ingredients
To prepare the basic cold brew recipe you will need:
- two glass containers;
- a filter cloth;
- a sieve;
- 30 g coffee beans already ground;
- 450 ml water.
Keep in mind that grinding the coffee should be done immediately before using it, as ground coffee tends to lose its properties rather quickly. However, once you have everything you need, you are finally ready to start.
Procedure
Preparing this recipe will only take 10 minutes of your time, although the coffee will need to steep for 16 hours. The amount you will get will be enough for 3 people and you should proceed as follows to prepare it:
- take the first glass container and pour first the coffee and then the water into it;
- mix them together for a few minutes with the help of a spoon;
- use the other glass container to close the first one and let the coffee steep for 16 hours.
While you can also put it in the fridge, we who know coffee recommend that you leave it outside: this is because the higher temperature ensures a better extraction of the aromas.
- After 16 hours, separate the two glass containers and, in the empty one, insert the sieve and filter cloth;
- strain the coffee and store it in the fridge or, alternatively, enjoy it immediately with your guests!
Conclusion
What we have unveiled to you is by no means a cheap recipe, but a real ‘treatment’ to which you can subject your coffee, which will guarantee a flavour and aroma you have never experienced before. As fond as we are of our lever machines, which is why we advise you to choose the one you prefer from our catalogue, we like to experiment every now and then and cold brew coffee is certainly one of our favourite experiments.
Great for the warm season, when you want to enjoy some refreshment, it can also be enjoyed in winter: perhaps on those not-so-cold days that bring with them the first warmth of spring. Regardless of when you decide to enjoy it, the cold brew is bound to win you over: you and anyone else lucky enough to drink it!
