Coffee is produced throughout the tropical region in roughly half the countries on Earth. But it is consumed throughout the world in virtually every country. And it’s sold in a dizzying variety of forms. One that has become very popular in recent years is cold brew coffee.
Regardless of your favorite concoction, whether it’s cappuccino, caffé latte, or just straight black, you might want to learn more about this cold alternative and why so many people are now brewing it at home.
What Is Cold Brew Coffee?
As the name implies, cold brew is a method of brewing coffee at a low temperature. So it has nothing to do with, for example, iced coffee, which is usually hot-brewed and then poured over ice.
With a regular cup of hot coffee, the brewing process occurs quickly and transfers flavor fast. During the cold brew process, coarse or medium ground coffee beans are steeped for a more extended period, lasting as long as 12 to 24 hours.
This method allows the rich flavor of the coffee beans to extract and infuse with the water. After letting the beans steep, the liquid is filtered and can be refrigerated. Enjoying a cup is then done by diluting it with milk or water.
Cold brewing creates a drink with a more muted and mellower flavor than traditionally brewed coffee made with hot water. It’s not surprising this flavor profile has risen in popularity.
How to Make a Good Cold Brew Coffee at Home
Making a delicious cup of cold brew coffee at home can be done easily. Any coffee bean can be used. However, a quality dark roast bean will help infuse more flavor. Grind the coffee beans to a coarse consistency. Doing so helps make it more efficient to strain and provides a smoother taste.
Take a large glass container and combine 8 quarts of room temperature or cold water with a pound of coarsely ground coffee beans. Stir the liquid and let it sit for at least 12 hours or overnight. This should be done at room temperature with a lid on top. After it’s brewed, use cheesecloth and a fine mesh strainer to collect the liquid into another container. Store this coffee concentrate in your refrigerator and let it cool.
Enjoying your cold brew coffee can be done by filling a cup or glass with ice, pouring in the concentrate until it’s three-fourths full, and adding a splash of milk, half-and-half, or sweetened condensed milk.
You can also have hot coffee either by directly heating the concentrate directly or combining it with hot water.
10 Best Cold Brew Coffee Makers For 2023
If you’re a busy person who’d rather use a cold brew coffee maker to make life easier, I’d recommend any of these ten models.
1. County Line Kitchen Durable Cold Brew Mason Jar Coffee Maker
Equipped with a durable, strong filter and sturdy flip lid, storing and pouring your elixir is easy: just flip the lid open and pour some out. The mesh and filter have been created to let an optimal infusion occur, resulting in a great-tasting glass every time.
2. Takeya Patented Deluxe Cold Brew Coffee Maker
Included with this model is a durable BPA-free Tritan pitcher, which also has a nonslip handle made of silicon and an airtight lid. The Tritan plastic can also withstand temperatures if you’d like to use this for consuming a hot cup of coffee.
3. Aquach Cold Brew Coffee Maker
Creating six servings of rich-tasting coffee is available with this borosilicate glass container. Keep your cold brew coffee good for two weeks by using the airtight stainless steel lid.
4. Primula Burke Deluxe Cold Brew Iced Coffee Maker
Making a hassle-free glass of cold brew coffee is simple and easy with this streamlined design. You can make up to 6 cups, clean it in the dishwasher, and remove the filter. This is a good choice as a gift for a fellow coffee enthusiast or to get started with cold brew yourself.
5. BTaT Cold Brew Coffee Maker
This cold brew coffee carafe has been created with durable, soda-lime glass and comes with a removable stainless steel filter and a low airflow sealing lid, which can help keep your coffee fresh for up to two weeks. It allows you to make a gallon at a time.
6. Toddy Cold Brew Coffee Maker
Using this cold brew coffee maker system should help keep your coffee concentrate fresh for as long as 14 days. It comes with cold brew system filters designed to create a smooth infusion during the brewing process.
7. Goodful Airtight Cold Brew Iced Coffee Maker
Enjoying a glass of delicious cold brew coffee can be done by using this handy maker. The BPA-free pitcher has a specially designed pour spout to make it easier to fill your glass. Using the fine mesh coffee filter should keep the coffee grounds out of your liquid and create a fantastic brew you’ll enjoy.
8. Bean Envy Cold Brew Coffee Maker
Adding ground coffee beans, pouring water, and brewing in this durable cold brew coffee maker should be fast and easy. It’s BPA-free and includes borosilicate glass, a precision cut filter, and a patent-pending nonslip base.
9. Coffee Gator Cold Brew Maker
Easy to clean and created for convenience, you can unscrew the cap of this cold brew coffee maker and flush the grinds out after you’ve brewed your concentrate. Using the mesh filter and stainless steel measuring scoop makes it simple to create a fantastic blend of coffee and water.
10. Cold Brew Coffee Maker By Coffee Bear
Producing a class of coffee without the acidity of the traditional method can be done by using this 1.3 L cold brew coffee maker. It’s equipped with a reinforced fine mesh filter, flavor preserving lid, and silicon base to keep it from slipping or sliding.
Summary
It isn’t necessary to have a coffee maker to enjoy your own cold brew. But it does make it far more convenient — especially if you want to drink cold brew often. And with all models being affordable (three of those listed above are less than $20), it is probably a good investment.
