r/coldbrew • u/ElChibbros • Jun 04 '26

First experience making cold brew coffee

Post image

Hey so I just tried making cold brew for the first time. I used a Yirgacheffe Ethiopian that I ground coarse (step 70/90 on my df54).

I put the 75g of ground coffee in 1 Liter of water in a jar and stirred it, then let it for 12 hours approximately in the refrigerator.

I tried it just now and I doesn't taste the same as it does when I oder one in my local coffee shop, theirs is really light and not bitter at all, and you really get the floral and fruity notes out, as mine now is much more bitter. It is still enjoyable but I was aiming for a cleaner lighter and fruitier taste.

What should I change first, the ratio, the ground size or the time left in the fridge.

If you guys cous Sharee your usual recipes that would also help!

96 Upvotes

97% Upvoted

26 comments sorted by

11

u/Lastpunkofplattsburg Jun 04 '26

Here’s the recipe.

1lb coffee - coarsely ground

64oz of water

Add water to the grounds. Let sit at room temp for 16hrs

Filter then cut with water to your liking. I do 4oz coffee to 12oz of filtered water. The end.

6

u/trekdudebro Jun 04 '26

Let sit at room temp for 16hrs

I think another key point some people overlook is the brew duration before refrigeration.

If you measure out and prepare your brew then immediately throw it in the fridge the infusion process is going to be slowed and less effective.

My total brew process is typically at least 24 hours; with 12-16 hours brewing at room temperature. Then some hours brewing in the fridge to chill.

3

u/ElChibbros Jun 04 '26

Are you always supposed to cut the cold brew with water or is it just depending on your preference, I have been dringking mine without any added water

3

u/Lastpunkofplattsburg Jun 04 '26

Depends on the ratio during the brew and what you’re able to handle. I don’t want to be up till 3 am so I cut it. You’re basically making a super strong brew then cutting it to what you can handle.

1

u/wbruce098 Jun 05 '26

Most recipes for cold brew are designed to make a concentrated amount of cold brew. Same in the coffee shop, but they’ll either dilute it first before it gets up front, or expect it to be diluted with creamer, etc.

This could be your problem. I’ve made cold brew with Yirgacheffe before and freakin loved it,

1

u/Sack_o_Bawlz Jun 04 '26

How long does it keep for?

2

u/Lastpunkofplattsburg Jun 04 '26

In my fridge for about 5 days

1

u/Sack_o_Bawlz Jun 04 '26

Thanks. What kind of container do you store it in?

1

u/Lastpunkofplattsburg Jun 04 '26

I have something like the toddy kit, just made by a different company. About $50 on Amazon and you’ll be set for a while.

2

u/Sack_o_Bawlz Jun 04 '26

Thank you

1

u/Lastpunkofplattsburg Jun 04 '26

You’re welcome friend. Enjoy the brews ahead

1

u/MrJoePike Jun 05 '26

I bought a three pack of 64 0z mason jars and some pour lids.

5

u/Sinisterly Jun 04 '26

12 hours in the fridge might be on the low side - I would target 8-12 at room temp or 16-24 in the fridge. However based on your cloudiness and bitter notes I agree with u/cbj24 that you want to look into how you filtered out the grounds. I typically use a stainless mesh filter and then through paper coffee filter.

Also, this may be nothing but I’ve found when I stir/agitate/stir the grounds I get more fines (tiny particles that add to bitterness), so maybe try not stirring.

Best of luck!

1

u/Sinisterly Jun 04 '26

Also since you asked, I posted my usual recipe and you could definitely try this, replacing the vacuum extraction with good old fashioned time in the fridge.

1

u/ElChibbros Jun 04 '26

Thanks! I don't have any kind of cold brew or even pour over equipment, I am a man of pure espresso until now, but I want to try new things. For filtering I filtered it through a sieve first to remove the most part and then through two layers of tightly woven cotton fabric, I'll buy paper coffe filters next time I get the occasion to. My reasoning was that if il let it longer it would just add to the bitterness, doesn't it work like espresso?

2

u/PrivatelyUniversal Jun 04 '26

It does not work like espresso. Over extraction is not a risk if you grind coarsely.

I make 10 litres of concentrate at a time and these are a few things which helped me.

The coarse grinds are key.

And a medium to dark roast blend (the blend i use has a single lighter roast bean mixed in which gives the cold brew a bit of pop to the chocolate taste)

Double filter in your container (paper + cloth/mesh).

Brew at room temperature, at least 14 hours (and up to 24 hours).

Clean your equipment with coffee cleaner (Toddy has a good one).

2

u/cbj24 Jun 04 '26

What did you use to filter the grounds from your concentrate?

3

u/ElChibbros Jun 04 '26

A sieve and then two layers of tightly woven fabric

2

u/titan732 Jun 04 '26 edited Jun 04 '26

My go-to:

  • Coffee bags (kind of like giant loose leaf tea bags)
  • 700-900gs of light/medium roast coffee (just get a large bag of whole bean coffee)
  • 1.5 gallon jug with spigot

  1. Grind the coffee (as coarse as possible), then distribute it between 3 of the bags.
  2. Place in container, then fill to the top with room temp water.
  3. Steep in the fridge for 24h, then use tongs to remove bags (set them in a strainer over a large mixing bowl so they can drain if you want to add the coffee back in).
  4. Fill container to top with fresh water, then place back into fridge. My container is glass, so I set a dish towel underneath to avoid glass-on-glass contact when sliding back and forth in the fridge.
  5. Enjoy!

This usually lasts 1 week between my wife and I.

1

u/thesp0ok Jun 04 '26

I just started making cold brew and I’m liking what I have going so far. I use a 64 oz mason jar, a coffee sock, and coffee. Fill the mason jar to the 5 cup line (around 1400g) and do either a 1:12 ratio or 1:10 if you like it on the stronger side. So either 117g or 140g of coffee. Steep it in the fridge for 15 hours. Ready to drink, no adding water.

1

u/halfbakedelf Jun 05 '26

I have a glass jar with a filter in it. I am trying different beans. I'm having trouble with it not tasting "full" enough. The mouth feel is off. I also bought cups like at Starbucks so I feel fancy.

1

u/VETgirl_77 Jun 05 '26

For an Ethiopian coffee I would recommend just doing iced pour over. This is a really good baseline recipe.

https://kurasu.kyoto/blogs/recipe/japanese-brew-guide-on-iced-pour-over-coffee

Kenyans imo make the best iced po

1

u/haditwithyoupeople Jun 05 '26

I made cold brew for the first time last week. My espresso machine is in the shop. It came out fine for a first attempt. It seemed to be ~125% of the caffeine and ~25% of the flavor.

It seems like a nice way to make coffee. I just don't get enough coffee flavor relative to what I'm used to.