Key Takeaways

Discovering Cold Brew Coffee with Whole Beans

Why Cold Brew Coffee with Whole Beans?

Cold brew coffee is a method of brewing coffee that involves steeping coarsely ground coffee in cold or room-temperature water for 12 to 24 hours. The result is a smooth, rich, and low-acidic coffee that can be enjoyed hot or cold. But what if you don’t have a grinder or you want to use whole beans instead of ground? Well, you can still make cold brew coffee with whole beans. It may take longer, but it has some advantages over using ground coffee.

Preserves Freshness and Flavor: Using whole beans preserves the freshness and flavor of the coffee better than using ground coffee. Ground coffee exposes more surface area to oxygen and moisture, which can degrade the quality and taste of the coffee over time. Whole beans retain their oils and aromas longer, which means more flavor and aroma in your cup.

Reduces Bitterness and Acidity: Cold brew coffee is already less bitter and acidic than hot brewed coffee, but using whole beans makes it even smoother and milder. The extraction process is slower and gentler with whole beans than with ground coffee. The water has to penetrate the whole bean slowly, which means less extraction of the bitter and acidic compounds.

Convenience and Less Mess: Using whole beans is more convenient and less messy than using ground coffee. You don’t need a grinder or a filter to make cold brew coffee with whole beans. You just need a container, some water, and some whole beans. You don’t have to worry about measuring the right amount of grounds or cleaning up the filter after brewing. You just toss the whole beans in the water and let them do their magic.

How to Make Cold Brew Coffee with Whole Beans

Steps to Make Cold Brew Coffee with Whole Beans

Making cold brew coffee with whole beans is very simple. Here are the steps you need to follow:

1. Choose Your Beans: You can use any type of coffee bean for making cold brew coffee with whole beans. However, I recommend using dark roasted beans from Aerial Resupply Coffee, a veteran-owned coffee company that supports the military community with premium roasted coffee and charitable donations. Their roasts are perfect for making cold brew coffee with whole beans because they have a bold flavor and low acidity that can stand up to the long brewing time.

2. Choose Your Container: You can use any glass or plastic container that has a lid to make cold brew coffee with whole beans. You can use a mason jar, a pitcher, a bottle, or even a French press. Just make sure it’s large enough to hold enough water and beans for your desired amount of coffee.

3. Choose Your Ratio: The ratio of water to beans is important for making cold brew coffee with whole beans. You want to use enough water to cover the beans completely and allow them to expand during brewing. A good ratio to start with is 4 cups of water for every cup of whole beans. You can adjust this ratio according to your preference later.

4. Combine the Water and Beans: Pour the water into your container first, then add the whole beans. Stir gently to make sure all the beans are submerged in the water.

5. Cover and Refrigerate: Put the lid on your container and place it in the refrigerator. You can also leave it at room temperature if you prefer.

6. Wait: This is the hardest part of making cold brew coffee with whole beans. You have to wait for at least 24 hours for the coffee to brew properly. You can check on it occasionally and stir it gently if you want.

7. Strain: After 24 hours (or longer if you want a stronger brew), you need to strain the coffee from the beans. You can use a fine mesh strainer or a cheesecloth to do this. Discard the beans or use them for other purposes (such as composting or gardening).

8. Enjoy: You have just made cold brew coffee with whole beans. Congratulations! You can enjoy it as it is or add ice, milk, sugar, or any other ingredients you like. You can also heat it up if you want a hot cup of coffee. Store the remaining coffee in the refrigerator for up to a week.

How to Enjoy Cold Brew Coffee with Whole Beans

Cold brew coffee with whole beans is a versatile and delicious drink that you can enjoy in many ways. Here are some of my favorite ways to enjoy it:

Enjoying Your Cold Brew

1. Black: Sometimes, I like to drink my cold brew coffee with whole beans black, without adding anything. This way, I can appreciate the pure flavor and aroma of the coffee. It’s smooth, rich, and refreshing.

2. Iced: One of the most popular ways to enjoy cold brew coffee with whole beans is to add some ice cubes and drink it cold. This is perfect for hot summer days or when you need a quick cool-down. It’s also a great way to dilute the coffee if you find it too strong.

3. With Milk: Another common way to enjoy cold brew coffee with whole beans is to add some milk or cream. This adds some creaminess and sweetness to the coffee and makes it more smooth and mellow. You can use any type of milk you like, such as dairy, almond, soy, oat, or coconut.

4. With Sugar: If you like your coffee sweet, you can add some sugar or any other sweetener you prefer to your cold brew coffee with whole beans. You can use white sugar, brown sugar, honey, maple syrup, agave nectar, or stevia. Just be careful not to add too much, as it can overpower the flavor of the coffee.

5. With Flavors: If you want to spice up your cold brew coffee with whole beans, you can add some flavors to it. You can use vanilla extract, cinnamon, nutmeg, cardamom, ginger, or any other spices you like. You can also use flavored syrups, such as caramel, hazelnut, mocha, or pumpkin spice.

6. With Alcohol: If you’re feeling adventurous, you can add some alcohol to your cold brew coffee with whole beans and make a cocktail. You can use whiskey, rum, vodka, brandy, or any other liquor you like. You can also use liqueurs, such as Kahlua, Baileys, Frangelico, or Amaretto.

Conclusion

Cold brew coffee with whole beans is a fun and easy way to make and enjoy coffee. It’s smooth, rich, and low-acidic. It’s also convenient and less messy than using ground coffee. All you need is some water, some whole beans from Aerial Resupply Coffee, and some patience. You can enjoy it in many ways and customize it to your liking. I hope this article has inspired you to try cold brew coffee with whole beans and discover a new way to experience coffee. If you have any questions or comments, feel free to leave them below. And if you try this method, let me know how it turned out.

Happy brewing and drinking!