How to Make a Cold Brew Coffee in a French Press? Step-By-Step

Watch any cooking show, and you will likely see a French press sitting on the counter. A French press is an exceptional coffee brewer that can elicit a flavorful cup of coffee at home without you having to spend a lot of money on equipment. It’s convenient and financially beneficial. 

These coffee brewers are worth the hype and are becoming the flagship of every kitchen. Today, the internet shows various techniques for making cold coffee, each with distinct benefits. But, here at Boat Basin Cafe, we believe that the French press is the clear winner. Why? Keep on reading to find out!

This elegantly designed coffee brewer is easy to use and maintain. In addition, a French press is portable, robust, and more self-contained than other models, making it a great cold brew coffee maker.

Learning how to make cold brew in a French press (the way was meant to be) is easy. To ensure you are making cold brew correctly, this article will elaborate on every step of the process.

But first, let’s talk a bit about cold brew coffee!

Cold Brew Coffee

Coffee is a sophisticated blend of flavorful dried beans and natural aromas that taste amazing and give you a caffeine boost when you need it. Over the past few years, cold brew coffee has achieved widespread popularity.

The fact is that this trend is not going anywhere anytime soon. Cold brew coffee is smoother, stronger, richer, and lacks bitterness, drawing more people towards it. It is less bitter than iced coffee and is considered healthy for your body.

The Benefits of Cold Brew

One of the key advantages of cold brew is its lower acidity. The study was published in the journal Scientific Reports in 2018 and was conducted by researchers at Thomas Jefferson University in Philadelphia. The study found that cold brew coffee has up to 67% less acidity than hot brewed coffee and may be a better alternative for people with acid reflux or sensitive stomachs.

Another advantage of cold brew coffee is its adaptability. Cold brew can be served hot or cold and as a base for a number of coffee drinks. It’s a terrific way to savour the flavour of coffee without the bitterness and acidity that hot brewed coffee may occasionally have.

Types of Beans to Use

When brewing cold brew, the type of beans you use is critical. While any type of coffee bean can be used, certain varietals work better than others. The following are some of the best coffee beans for cold brew:

• Arabica beans are distinguished by their smooth, sweet flavour and low acidity. Because of their natural sweetness and the way they compliment the brewing process, they are a favourite choice for cold brew.
• Colombian: Because to their smooth, full-bodied flavour, Colombian beans are another popular choice for cold brew. They have a slightly nutty flavour and a mild acidity, making them an excellent choice for cold brew.
• Brazilian beans are popular for their low acidity and nutty, chocolaty flavour. Because of their natural sweetness and mild flavour, they are an excellent choice for cold brew.

Best Coffee Grinds for Cold Brew

The grind of your coffee beans is also important when making cold brew. For best results, you’ll want to use a coarse grind. The coarser the grind, the less surface area there is for the water to extract flavor and acidity from the beans. This results in a smoother, less acidic cup of coffee.

When choosing a coffee grinder for cold brew, look for one that allows you to adjust the grind size. This will give you more control over the flavor and acidity of your coffee. A good starting point for cold brew is a grind that is similar in size to raw sugar or sea salt.

Steps for Making Cold Crew in a French Press

Look no further if you want a fast and effortless way to prepare a cold brew coffee. Try French press cold brew to create your favorite coffee drink quickly and easily.

A French press makes the cold brewing process simple. The ingredients are easy to find, all you need is coarsely ground coffee, water, and a French press. Now, let’s see how it is done!

Step 1: Measure the coffee and grind it.

First off, if you’re starting with whole coffee beans, soak them in the water before preparing French press coffee. Then, take the whole beans and grind them in a burr grinder. A burr grinder gives you an even grind with consistent particle sizes. Coarse ground coffee is generally better for a French press cold brew, but finer grounds produce a stronger cold brewed coffee. If you prefer not to grind your own coffee beans, just make sure you choose the right type of pre ground coffee when you shop.

Some people double the caffeine content by using twice the coffee grounds, which is fine if you like strong coffee. Alternatively, you can try finer grounds.

Use fresh and evenly ground coffee for a great taste. With uneven coffee grounds, the little particles are over-extracted (bitter), while the large ones are hardly extracted at all, ruining your brew recipe.

Step 2: Fill up the French press and pour cold water (Immersion brewing).

Place the coffee grounds and cold water in the base of your French press. Then, place it in a cold dark place for 16 to 20 hours before pressing down the plunger. We recommend putting the French press in the refrigerator for this part. 

Step 3: Stir up the mixture in the French press.

To uniformly soak the grounds, stir them with a spoon or simply swirl them so that it moves and extracts evenly.

Step 4: Press the plunger gradually.

After your chosen brew time of 16 to 20 hours, remove the lid and any excess grounds floating at the top. You can ruin the coffee texture or taste if you do not remove the crust properly. 

Plunge the filter gradually until it is just above the resting coffee. Once the plunger reaches the bottom, start pouring your regular coffee gradually from the French press.

Step 5: Add up some sweeteners or ice.

Your strong and rich cold brew coffee is ready! You can add some liquid sweeteners, milk, almond milk, or ice cubes to strengthen the taste according to your preferences.

Why Is Cold Brew an Ideal Pick-Me-Up Beverage?

Cold press coffee makes your digestive system work better, reduces inflammation, and has other health benefits. Coffee is good for your body since it includes antioxidants and other beneficial chemicals, and cold brew is a delightfully fresh drink you can make year-round. This coffee has been boosting the moods of coffee drinkers with its rich flavor profile shining through.

This ready-to-drink beverage has been around for a long time. Beyond its benefits, this coffee gives a traditional and convenient vibe of drinking coffee how it was meant to be enjoyed.

Pros

• Easy to use, clean, and store than a drip coffee maker.

• It’s fairly portable and compact.

• Offers coffee a beautiful viscosity or thickness. There is more coffee flavor and less watery texture than a drip machine.

• A French press can help determine the exact amount of time needed to extract the grounds.

• No filters are required. As a result, the taste is enhanced.

• Cold brew is sustainable, so it is easy to store when made in the French press.

• Brewing with French press results in a perfectly balanced drink.

• In a French press, the ability to control the extraction enhances the flavor of your coffee, unlike the drip coffee maker.

• French press machines use a metal filter that allows natural/essential oils and fine particles from the ground coffee to pass in your cold brew. That’s what makes your coffee rich and smoother.

Cons

• Over-extraction of the grounds can happen, which can ruin the coffee.

• The coffee sludge left in the cup is a significant drawback. Without a good quality filter, you end up with some minute particles because you’re steeping ground coffee with water.

Conclusion

Despite some cons of using the French press, the benefits are impressive. It is convenient to carry and offers a deep flavor for your daily cup of coffee. It is no secret that brewing a coffee can be messy if not done with proper care. So, with these steps, get ready to say goodbye to old methods of brewing and hello to organized and efficient cold brew coffee.

Frequently Asked Questions