Everyone loves a good cup of iced coffee in the summer. But do you know what’s even better? A cup of cold brew.
Cold brew is easy to make and less acidic than normal iced coffee. It even saves you a little time in the morning rush to get to work because it’s premade.
For all the people out there with caffeine restrictions, we have exciting news for you. You can still make, prepare, and drink a great cup of cold brew-just make it decaf! Keep reading to see our decaf cold brew recipe.
What is Decaf Cold Brew Coffee?
A couple years ago, cold brew took the world by storm. Every coffee shop—from local stores to Starbucks—were specializing in this new coffee drink. Even avid coffee drinkers were impressed. The smooth, sweet taste and reduced acidity make cold brew a great alternative to regular coffee.
The only drawback (for some)? Cold brew contains more caffeine than coffee. So people who can’t have caffeine, can't enjoy it like the rest of us. To make matters worse, coffee shops generally don't serve decaf cold brew.
How can we solve this problem? By making decaf cold brew at home.
Like cold brew, decaf cold brew is made using an infusion method. Coarsely ground decaf coffee is mixed with water and steeped for 12 to 24 hours. Once it’s finished steeping, the mixture is strained, creating a decaf cold brew concentrate.
Every person prepares their cold brew differently, based on personal preferences. If it tastes strong to you, add milk or water. If you want it stronger, change the cold brew ratio (water to coffee grounds) for the next time you make it. You make it how you want it.
The best part? Your decaf cold brew will last in the fridge, in a sealed container, for up to two weeks.
How Can You Make Decaf Cold Brew?
As always, your coffee is only as good as the beans you use. Good beans are the base for every good cup of coffee in this world. We have a variety of decaf and organic green coffee beans for you to try on our website. A couple favorites are the Bali Hai Organic Decaf Blend, the Sumatra Royal Organic Decaf coffee beans, and the Timor Royal Organic Decaf coffee beans.
The roast type you use is also important. Because this specific brewing method involves immersion for hours, people usually prefer a darker roast.
In general, the darker roasts hold richer flavors than lighter roasts. And the extended brewing time allows the water to soak up all the flavors. Light and medium roasts still work with cold brew, but they usually make a weaker cup of coffee.
Finally, you have to use the best grind size for cold brew. You might be wondering how does grind size affect coffee? The wrong grind size can completely change how your cup tastes.
For example, you don’t want the grounds to be so fine that they turn the coffee sour or weak. Instead, for decaf cold brew, a coarse grind size is your friend.
If you have a coffee grinder at home, set it on one of the coarsest settings. If you're looking for a coffee grinder, check out the Bodum Bistro Burr Grinder and the Baratza Encore. Both are high quality grinders, producing consistent grinds for every brewing method.
Conclusion
Ready to brew some cold brew coffee at home? Now that you know how to make decaf cold brew, give it a try and let us know what you think! If you really like it, consider investing in a cold brew maker. It’s easy to clean and streamlines the process, making a great cold brew.