8 Best ground coffee for cold brew: The coffee taste you can’t resisit!
Cold brew coffee is one of the trendiest coffee drinks out there, and for good reason. It’s smooth, rich, and has a subtle sweetness that makes it irresistible. However, not all coffee is created equal when it comes to cold brew. The best ground coffee for cold brew has a distinct flavor profile that makes it perfect for this specific brewing method. Cold brew is your best plug for a smooth, delicious cup of cold coffee. In contrast to a typical iced coffee, cold brew soaks the beans in cold water for a considerable amount of time. Instead of just diluted hot coffee poured over ice cubes, the final product is precisely cold and robust. I will take you through the best ground coffee for cold brew and what makes them so special.
Before I dive into the crux of the, let’s talk about what cold brew coffee is and why it’s different from regular coffee. As earlier stated above, Cold brew coffee is made by steeping coffee grounds in cold water for a long period of time, typically 12-24 hours. This slow extraction process creates a smoother, less acidic brew than traditional hot coffee. The resulting cold brew coffee is rich and full-bodied, with a slightly sweet taste.
The most important factors to consider if you must make best choice of cold brew coffee:
1. Roast Level
The roast level of your coffee can have a significant impact on the flavor of your cold brew. Generally, darker roasts tend to have a more robust, full-bodied flavor that works well in cold brew. However, lighter roasts can also be used, and they tend to have a brighter, more acidic taste. Ultimately, the roast level you choose will depend on your personal preferences.
If you’re not sure where to start, try a medium-dark roast. This roast level strikes a balance between the bold flavors of a dark roast and the acidity of a light roast. I can personally attest to that if you ask me! It’s also a great choice for those who like their coffee with a little bit of sweetness.
2. Beans Origin
The origin of the coffee beans can also impact the flavor of your cold brew. Different regions have different growing conditions and processing methods that can affect the taste of the coffee. Here are a few regions to consider:
- South America: Coffee beans from South America are known for their smooth, chocolatey flavor with a hint of nuttiness. They’re a popular choice for cold brew because they have a low acidity level that makes for a smooth, easy-to-drink brew.
- Africa: African coffee beans are often described as fruity and floral, with a bright acidity. This can be a great choice for those who like their cold brew with a little bit of a kick.
- Asia: Coffee beans from Asia tend to have a bold, earthy flavor with a hint of spice. They’re a great choice for those who like their cold brew with a strong, robust taste.
3. Grind Size
The grind size of your coffee is also important when it comes to making cold brew. For the best results, I would advise that you’ll want to use a coarse grind. This allows the coffee to steep in the water for a long period of time without becoming bitter or over-extracted.
Here are the best ground coffee for cold brew
With those factors I stated above in mind, here are some of the best ground coffee for cold brew:
1. Stone Street Coffee Cold Brew Reserve
Stone Street Coffee’s Cold Brew Reserve is a medium-dark roast coffee that’s perfect for cold brew. It’s made from 100% Arabica beans from Brazil and Colombia, giving it a smooth, chocolatey flavor with a hint of caramel. The coffee is roasted and ground specifically for cold brewing, ensuring that it will produce a perfectly balanced and flavorful cold brew every time.
Colombian coffee is known for its bold flavor with fruity notes. Being a Colombia product is a certification that the coffee you receive is among the most renowned for their size and quality.
Stone Street is a roaster located in Brooklyn. Its business practice is based on the fair and ethical treatment of coffee farmers. This commitment shows in their partnership with Sweet Unity Farms. You can get this coffee as whole bean or ground. The grind is extra coarse, the perfect size for cold brewing at home.
Cold Brew Reserve is dark roasted. Even if you don’t typically like a dark roast, you might love it in a cold brew. This method reduces bitterness and gives a smooth infusion. In the cup, this coffee is sweet and well-balanced. Flavor notes include chocolate and caramel. While you can use any brewing method, these beans perform especially well as a cold brew. You can order directly from their website. You can even sign up for a subscription in addition to selecting between the whole beans and cold-brew approved coarse grind.
2. Blue Bottle Coffee Three Africas
Blue Bottle Coffee’s Three Africas is a light-medium roast coffee that’s perfect for those who like a brighter, more acidic taste in their cold brew. It’s made from beans from Ethiopia, Uganda, and Rwanda, giving it a fruity, floral flavor with a hint of lemon zest. The coffee is named after the three countries in Africa where the beans are sourced. The Ethiopian coffee in this blend is known for its floral and fruity notes, while the Ugandan coffee adds a nutty and chocolatey flavor. The Rwandan coffee provides a balance of flavors, with a medium body and notes of citrus and berries. The Three Africas blend is roasted to a medium-light level to highlight the unique flavors of each of the three coffees. This coffee can be brewed using various methods such as pour-over, French press, or espresso, and is best served black to fully appreciate its flavor profile.
Blue Bottle Coffee is a specialty coffee roaster and retailer that was founded in Oakland, California in 2002. The company is known for its commitment to quality and sustainability, and sources its coffee beans directly from farmers around the world.
3. Coffee Variety Coffee High Hopes Blend
This café sources their beans for their cold brew blend from Ethiopia, where arabica coffee originates. The combination of high-quality coffee lends a luscious, full-bodied flavor that’s ideal for cold brewing.
If you love this coffee as much as I do, you can take advantage of Variety Coffee’s subscription services. Notwithstanding how many times you choose to receive a delivery in a week or month, you can rest assured that you’ll never wake up without coffee again.
4. Irving Farm Cold Brew Blend
Irving Farm’s cold brew-specific blend features all of the flavor notes you’d expect: chocolate, caramel, molasses. What makes it special, however, is the slight fruity flavor that shines after a long, cold extraction. You’ll need your own coffee grinder, since these are only sold as whole beans. However, I can assure you that its richly complex taste is absolutely worth the extra step.
5. Café Integral Cold Brew
Café Integral sources their beans from different regions of Nicaragua. They are on the ground during the harvest, and most of their offerings are limited to certain seasons. Their cold brew blend, however, is available year-round. This blend’s flavor is extremely well-balanced and vibrant. In warm weather, I particularly enjoy drinking on this cold brew. These entire beans are available in 12-ounce or two-pound quantities.
6. Intelligentsia Coffee House Blend
This blend of beans from Latin America and East Africa is roasted specifically for cold brewing. It has a bold, full-bodied flavor with notes of chocolate and citrus.
Intelligentsia is said to be originated in Chicago in 1995. The business owners were forerunners in paying fair prices for the coffee and engaging in direct commerce with farmers. They do a lot of traveling and build enduring bonds with coffee farmers all over the world. Frequency Blend combines beans from Brazil and Guatemala. Varieties include Bourbon, Catimor, Caturra, and Catuai. Worthy of note is that the blend may change seasonally to take advantage of the coffee cherries at their peak of ripeness. However the overall qualities in the cup are still carefully maintained.
Primary attributes are almond, dried fruit, and milk chocolate. The flavor profile also includes molasses. This medium roast coffee provides a balanced brew with a smooth body. It’s offered as whole bean and 11 different grinds, including a coarse grind for the cold brew method. As with all their coffee, Frequency Blend is Direct Trade certified.
7. Stumptown Coffee Roasters Hair Bender
This blend of beans from Latin America, East Africa, and Indonesia is roasted specifically for cold brewing. It has a balanced, sweet flavor with notes of caramel and a hint of fruitiness.
When I first heard the name of this coffee, I thought it means that the coffee had extra caffeine. But I was wrong. I had a misconception of what this coffee is the first time I heard of its name – thinking of it having extra caffeine – not at all! The name actually comes from the physical location of the original Stumptown Coffee Roasters. This medium roast coffee is clear but complex with notes of citrus and dark chocolate. The brew is sweet and balanced. The beans are sourced from Indonesia, Latin America, and Africa. As a company, Stumptown values sustainability. They pioneered the Direct Trade model. You can buy this coffee ground, but it is a regular grind. I would advise that you buy it a whole bean and grind it by yourself.
8. Koffee Kult Dark Roast
Koffee Kult started in 2010 with one important goal of sourcing the best coffee beans for the best cup of coffee. It started as a small, family-owned business. The company offers single-origin and blends roasted in small batches. Koffee Kult also cares about the coffee farmers. It only does business with producers who pay women directly and equally. It also insists on working with farmers who respect the environment and use sustainable methods.
This blend features beans from Colombia, Guatemala, Brazil, and Sumatra. It delivers a strong, bold cup of coffee with a heavy body. It is smooth with a clean finish. Flavor notes include cinnamon and cocoa. Koffee Kult only sells their coffee as whole bean.
9. Chameleon Cold-Brew Coffee
This coffee is made from organic, fair trade beans and is designed to be cold-brewed. It has a bold, smooth flavor with notes of cocoa and a hint of sweetness.
In a nutshell, best ground coffee for cold brew will depend on your personal taste preferences, so don’t be afraid to experiment with different blends and roasts to find the perfect one for you. Practice they say, makes perfect!