Cold brew coffee has become increasingly popular in recent years. Unlike traditional iced coffee, which is brewed hot and then cooled down, cold brew coffee is brewed by steeping ground coffee in room temperature or cold water for an extended period of time – usually 12-24 hours. This long steeping time extracts the flavors and oils from the coffee grounds, resulting in a smooth, low-acid coffee concentrate.
Cold brew concentrate can then be diluted with water or milk and served over ice, or used in a variety of delicious cold coffee drinks. But some people use the terms “cold brew” and “cold brew concentrate” interchangeably, while others distinguish between them. So what exactly is the difference between cold brew and cold brew concentrate?
What is Cold Brew?
Cold brew refers to the full-strength coffee that results from the long cold water brewing process. After steeping the grounds in water for 12-24 hours, the liquid is drained through a filter which separates the finished cold brew from the soaked grounds.
The resulting cold brew is a highly concentrated, but smooth and low-acid coffee liquor that can be enjoyed straight or diluted with water or milk to taste. It has a higher caffeine content than regular iced coffee since the long steep effectively extracts more caffeine from the grounds.
So in summary:
– Cold brew is full-strength coffee brewed by steeping grounds in cold or room temp water for 12-24 hrs
– It results in a smooth, highly concentrated coffee liquor
– It has more caffeine than regular iced coffee
– It can be diluted or enjoyed straight
What is Cold Brew Concentrate?
Cold brew concentrate takes the cold brew process one step further. After the initial cold brew is drained from the soaked coffee grounds, some people will then dilute it with an equal amount of water. This diluted version is referred to as “cold brew concentrate.”
So for example, if 1 quart of cold brew is produced, it might be diluted with 1 quart of water, resulting in 2 quarts of cold brew concentrate. The concentrate typically has a ratio of 2 parts water to 1 part cold brew.
Therefore, cold brew concentrate:
– Starts with finished cold brew
– Is diluted with an equal amount of water
– Has a 2:1 water to coffee ratio
– Is less concentrated than straight cold brew
While you can drink cold brew concentrate straight, it is usually intended to be diluted further with water or milk. This makes it more convenient for serving over ice or using in blended drinks. The additional dilution also lowers the caffeine content compared to standard cold brew.
Comparing Cold Brew and Cold Brew Concentrate
| Characteristic | Cold Brew | Cold Brew Concentrate |
|---|---|---|
| Brewing Process | Grounds steeped in cold water 12-24 hrs | Finished cold brew diluted 50/50 with water |
| Typical ratios | 1 part coffee to 4-7 parts water | 2 parts water to 1 part cold brew |
| Concentration | Highly concentrated | Less concentrated than cold brew |
| Caffeine content | Higher than iced coffee | Lower than cold brew |
| Acidity | Smooth, low acid | Smooth, low acid |
| Use | Can drink straight or dilute to taste | Intended for further dilution before drinking |
As shown in the table, the key differences come down to concentration and intended use. Cold brew is the full-strength coffee liquor, while cold brew concentrate is a diluted version meant for further dilution later on.
Do You Have to Dilute Cold Brew?
Because cold brew is so highly concentrated, many people find it too strong to drink straight. The flavor really opens up when you dilute it with water or milk.
However, diluting it is not strictly necessary. One of the joys of cold brew is that you can control the strength and flavor precisely to your taste by adjusting the dilution ratio.
Some people enjoy sipping cold brew straight from the fridge for a super bold, energizing caffeine boost. If you can handle the intensity, there’s no need to dilute it.
Just keep in mind that undiluted cold brew has substantially more caffeine than a typical cup of coffee. So drink slowly and pay attention to how much you are consuming.
Easy Dilution Ratios
If you do wish to dilute your cold brew, here are some easy dilution ratios to try:
1:1 ratio – Mix equal parts cold brew concentrate and water/milk. This makes a drink similar in strength to standard iced coffee.
1:2 ratio – For a lighter drink, mix 1 part cold brew concentrate to 2 parts water/milk.
1:3 ratio – For a super mellow cold brew, mix 1 part concentrate with 3 parts liquid.
The great thing about cold brew is you can play with different ratios until you find the perfect strength. Stronger or smoother – customize it to your taste.
What’s Best for Iced Coffee?
If you’re specifically looking to make Japanese-style iced coffee to sip throughout the day, cold brew concentrate has some advantages:
– More convenient than having to dilute cold brew each time
– Easier to achieve consistent flavor at a certain strength
– Less intense caffeine hit compared to full strength
– Avoid bitterness or over-extraction from hot brew methods
The Japanese iced coffee method involves brewing a cold, diluted concentrate overnight. So cold brew concentrate gives you the closest match.
Just mix 1 part concentrate with 1-2 parts fresh water or milk over ice and you have an authentic iced coffee in seconds. Adjust the ratio to your preferred strength.
Caffeine Content Differences
Due to the extended steeping time, cold brew is higher in caffeine than regular iced coffee made from hot-brewed coffee.
In an 8oz serving, cold brew typically contains:
– 200-300mg caffeine for full-strength
– 100-200mg caffeine when diluted 1:1
By further diluting to make the concentrate, the caffeine content is lowered. An 8oz serving of 2:1 cold brew concentrate would have roughly:
– 100-150mg caffeine
For comparison, an average 8oz iced coffee made from drip, pour over, etc has 70-120mg caffeine.
So if you’re limiting caffeine, the concentrate or a 1:2/1:3 dilution will provide a lighter caffeine kick.
Flavors and Roast Recommendations
Cold brew’s smooth flavor profile works well with most coffee bean origins and roasts. But here are some tips:
– Light roasts – Often taste best at a 1:1 dilution ratio to retain acidity and aromatics that can be muted when too diluted.
– Medium roasts – Very versatile for cold brew. Provides balanced flavor at many dilutions. A crowd-pleaser.
– Dark roasts – Require a higher water ratio as the robust flavors can become overpowering. 1:3 or 1:4 ratio is recommended.
As far as origin beans, Latin American and African coffees tend to excel in cold brew. Their fruity notes shine through the chilling process. It’s worth experimenting to find your perfect match.
Making Your Own Cold Brew Concentrate
Making homemade cold brew concentrate is simple:
1. Coarsely grind your preferred coffee beans. Use around 1 cup grounds per 4 cups water.
2. Place grounds and room temperature water in a large container. Stir to combine.
3. Steep the mixture for 12-24 hours at room temperature.
4. Line a strainer with cheesecloth or filter and strain the liquid into another container. Discard soaked grounds.
5. Dilute the finished cold brew with an equal amount of fresh water.
6. Refrigerate concentrate up to 2 weeks.
7. To serve, mix 1 part concentrate with 1-2 parts water or milk over ice. Add sweetener if desired.
8. Adjust the dilution to achieve your perfect iced coffee strength.
With this easy process, you’ll have delicious homemade cold brew concentrate ready for iced coffee anytime. Experiment with different beans, steeping times, and dilutions to customize the flavor.
Buying Pre-made Cold Brew Concentrate
Cold brew concentrate is also widely available for purchase at grocery stores, cafes, and online:
– Bottled concentrates – Brands like Starbucks, Chameleon, Califia Farms, etc sell ready-to-use bottles.
– In-store concentrates – Many coffee shops and cafes offer bottled concentrates.
– Online – Shops like Amazon, Bean Box, Copper Cow, and others carry concentrates.
– Subscription services – Companies like Angel’s Cup, Uprise, Cometeer ship concentrates.
When buying pre-made, look for concentrates that list the coffee-to-water ratio for best flavor and caffeine accuracy.
Pros and Cons of Concentrate
Cold brew concentrate offers both advantages and disadvantages:
Pros:
– More portable than standard cold brew
– Can be quickly diluted to desired strength
– Lower caffeine content than full strength
– Consistent flavor for making drinks
Cons:
– Less intense coffee flavor when diluted
– Requires second dilution step before drinking
– Potential for over-dilution if ratios aren’t precise
– Added water impacts mineral content
For most, the pros of convenience and drink versatility outweigh the cons. But hardcore cold brew fans may prefer the bold intensity of full-strength.
The Takeaway
Cold brew concentrate takes the extra dilution step, but provides the convenience of being ready to add ice and water for easy iced coffee anytime. Just bear in mind, diluting twice will reduce both richness of flavor and caffeine content compared to standard cold brew.
Both options have their merits for iced coffee lovers. So give each a try straight-up and diluted to experience the range of strengths and flavors.
It’s simply a matter of personal taste – smooth and mellow, or super bold and robust? The choice between cold brew vs concentrate is yours. Now that you understand the key differences in brewing and end product, you can decide which icy brew suits your preferences.
Conclusion
Cold brew and cold brew concentrate begin the same way, with coffee grounds steeped in cold water. The distinction comes when that initial cold brew is diluted further to make a concentrate intended for additional dilution later on. The second dilution reduces the concentration and caffeine content compared to original cold brew, but allows for easier use in chilled coffee drinks.
Both produce smooth, low-acid coffee flavor. It just depends how strong you like it. Try cold brew straight-up for an intense caffeine boost, or opt for convenient cold brew concentrate to quickly mix chilled coffee or iced lattes anytime. Knowing the differences empower you to choose the best chilled coffee for your taste and lifestyle.