The majority of individuals depend on coffee for their daily energy boost. It’s the driving force that allows you to perform and be productive throughout the day.
If you like a nice and pleasant caffeinated drink, we suggest that you try cold brew if you haven’t already. This drink is smooth and moderate, with no acidity and bitterness. Moreover, if you want to taste the nuanced aromas of the coffee beans, cold brewing is your best bet.
So, which coffee beans provide the finest cold brew? We have you covered whether you’re looking for the finest organic beans, whole bean coffee, or even a special flavored coffee for cold brew.
Contents
- Our Top Picks of the Best Coffee Beans for Cold Brew
- 1. Bizzy Organic Cold Brew Coffee – Best Overall Coffee
- 2. Stone Street Coffee Cold Brew – Best Premium Choice
- 3. Café Du Monde Coffee Chicory – Best Budget Choice
- 4. Lifeboost Organic Light Roast Beans
- 5. Volcanica Cold Brew Whole Bean Coffee
- 6. Bones Coffee Company Flavored Coffee for Cold Brew
- 7. Death Wish Organic Coffee
- 8. Cold Brew Lab Ground Organic Coffee
- What Is Cold Brew?
- Does the Temperature Affect the Taste of the Coffee?
- What Gives Cold Brew its Distinctive Flavor?
- How Does the Brewing Method Influence Flavor?
- Immersion Vs. Slow Drip – Which Is Best?
- Blends or Single Origin Coffee – What Should I Choose?
- Does the Grind Matter?
- Should I Use Pre-Ground Coffee for Cold Brew?
- Should You Add Cream/Milk to Your Cold Brew?
- Conclusion + Our Top Pick
- FAQs
- What type of coffee is good for cold brew?
- What is the best store bought coffee for cold brew?
- What strength of coffee is best for cold brew?
- Can I use regular ground coffee for cold brew?
- Is Folgers OK for cold brew?
- Is fresh ground coffee better for cold brew?
- What coffee does Dunkin use for cold brew?
- What is the golden ratio for cold brew?
- Is medium or coarse coffee better for cold brew?
- Why is my cold brew coffee not strong enough?
Our Top Picks of the Best Coffee Beans for Cold Brew
1. Bizzy Organic Cold Brew Coffee – Best Overall Coffee
When it comes to cold brew, Bizzy is one of the most well-known brands. They sell cold brew coffee that is ready to drink, cold brew concentrate, and organic cold brew coffee beans. This cold brew coffee is available in three different tastes.
- Bright and light
- Sweet and smooth
- Dark and daring
Smooth and Sweet is the greatest choice for cold brewing at home since it is the ideal pre-ground blend of light, medium, and dark roasted coffee beans. Choose the Dark and Strong variant for a significantly fuller coffee taste.
The Smooth and Sweet taste profile’s coarse setting is ideal for cold brewing.
Bizzy coffee beans have a sweet caramel taste and are naturally lower in acidity. As a consequence, there is less bitterness and more coffee taste.
For the ultimate DIY cold brew drink, sip it black or with your preferred creamer.
Pros:
- USDA certified blend of 100% Arabica beans
- Low acidity occurs naturally.
- Smooth flavor
- Sourced in an ethical manner
- Organic
Cons:
- Just pre-ground coffee is available.
2. Stone Street Coffee Cold Brew – Best Premium Choice
Do you want to make a delicious cold brew at home? Stone Street cold brew coffee beans are worth a try. Several coffee enthusiasts have already dubbed it the greatest cold brew coffee brand they’ve come across.
We like these beans because you can taste the rich chocolaty aroma in your coffee. Stone Street cold brew is made from 100% high-quality Colombian Supremo beans, so anticipate a rich, robust taste.
These beans are naturally mild in acidity, making them ideal for persons with sensitive stomachs. Above all, the robust taste with the chocolaty essence will undoubtedly be the top option among all cold brew brands.
Pros:
- Smooth and robust taste
- Whole beans and ground coffee are also available.
Cons:
- pricier than competing brands
3. Café Du Monde Coffee Chicory – Best Budget Choice
Do you like the flavor of chicory? This brand’s cold brew coffee might be ideal for you.
The Caf De Monde beans will have a distinct chicory taste. To get that unique taste with a kick, the Chicory root is first boiled, ground, and then added to the coffee grounds. It lessens the bitterness of dark roasted coffee beans.
These beans are suitable for both hot and cold brews. You might even try adding milk or cream to your coffee since it goes great with it.
But, if you want strong coffee, it will not be on your list since the beans contain less caffeine owing to dilution with chicory.
Pros:
- easily accessible
- Inexpensive
- Less bitter and smooth
- Great for both hot and cold brews.
- Chicory has a distinct taste.
Cons:
- There is no whole bean option.
- Caffeine reduction
4. Lifeboost Organic Light Roast Beans
Light-roast Nicaraguan single-origin bean from Lifeboost Coffee Company is a healthier coffee bean alternative. It is a coffee that is healthful, responsibly made, and even ecologically beneficial. Above all, it produces an excellent cold brew.
Light roast coffees are often quite acidic. Nevertheless, cold brewing for more than 16 hours reduces the acidity and results in a smooth and tasty cold brew.
Choose this brand if you want a healthy cold brew with low acidity and a Central-American cold brew flavor and experience.
Pros:
- Beans are rinsed in spring water and sun-dried.
- Handpicked
- Free of pesticides and mycotoxin
- Arabica bean, single origin
- When cold brewed, exotic tastes emerge.
Cons:
- There is a limited supply.
- Packaging is unappealing.
5. Volcanica Cold Brew Whole Bean Coffee
The Volcanica Coffee Company is well-known for producing high-quality coffee blends. When it comes to cold brew, it is a powerful black Sumatra coffee with a high taste and low acidity.
It is one of the best options for producing cold coffee. This cold brew is made with 100% Arabica beans and has a rich taste with a smooth chocolate finish.
Pros:
- High-quality roaster
- Coffee of uniform quality
- Acidity is low.
Cons:
- pricier than competing brands
6. Bones Coffee Company Flavored Coffee for Cold Brew
Bones Coffee Company is well-known for offering a variety of tastes such as cookies and cream, vanilla caramel, and chocolaty toasted marshmallow Smores.
They are medium roasted in small batches from 100% Arabica coffee beans from Brazil to guarantee optimum freshness. They are naturally mild in acidity, and you may pick between whole coffee beans and pre-ground coffee.
Another thing to consider about this coffee company is that it is vegan and keto-friendly. The bold-flavored coffee beans are also dairy-free and sugar-free.
Overall, this is a wonderful choice if you want to experiment with new and fascinating tastes in your cold brew.
Pros:
- There are several tastes to select from.
- Vegan and Keto friendly
- Acidity is low.
Cons:
- For traditional coffee drinkers, the flavors may be overpowering.
7. Death Wish Organic Coffee
Are you looking for a caffeinated cold brew coffee? If so, you’ve discovered Death Wish coffee. It contains 54.2mg of caffeine per fluid ounce, therefore restrict your consumption to one cup per day to maintain your caffeine intake levels. In 8 ounces, Death Wish Coffee Cold Brew has 300mg of caffeine.
These coffee beans are USDA certified, organic, and kosher. You have the option of adding milk or drinking it black.
Pros:
- Coffee that’s smooth
- Excellent aroma
- Excellent caffeine boost
- To keep the coffee fresh, use a resealable bag.
Cons:
- Relatively costly
8. Cold Brew Lab Ground Organic Coffee
Use this brand if you want one of the finest pre-ground coffees for cold brewing. Colombia provides these coarse grind 100% organic Arabica beans. These beans will have a smooth, full-bodied taste.
This organic coffee is a delicious combination of medium and dark roast coffee beans that are both USDA certified and pesticide-free. You may get it as pre-ground coffee or whole beans, depending on your preferences.
Pros:
- Organic Arabica beans at a reasonable price
- Roasted smooth blend
Cons:
- The taste of pre-ground coffee may differ from that of whole beans.
Pick one of the finest selections for a cold brew from the list above, and you will not be disappointed. So how can you know which beans provide the greatest cold brew? Let’s start with the distinctions between cold brew and iced coffee.
What Is Cold Brew?
A cold brew does not need heat. Rather, soak the ground coffee beans in cold, filtered water. This will extract the taste. The key distinction between cold brew and iced coffee is that the latter is created from ordinary brewed coffee that is then chilled and poured over ice cubes.
Does the Temperature Affect the Taste of the Coffee?
Absolutely, the warmth of your coffee influences its flavor. Cold coffee is extracted at temperatures ranging from 35 to 70 degrees Fahrenheit, while hot coffee is extracted at temperatures ranging from 195 to 205 degrees Fahrenheit. The lack of heat gives the cold brew its distinct qualities and robust, unadulterated taste.
At the same time, it implies you’ll need twice as much grounds and a few more hours of brewing time as with hot techniques.
Another distinction is that cold brew is often low in acid and easy on the stomach. This is because many of the acids responsible for the mild and flowery flavors are only extracted when the beans are heated.
What Gives Cold Brew its Distinctive Flavor?
As previously stated, the lack of heat gives cold brew coffee its particular taste and qualities. The tastes are subdued, making the cold brew coffee a light drink overall.
Cold brew coffee has a larger coffee-to-water ratio, about two and a half times more, which means it is also stronger than a more traditional coffee drink with the regular water-to-coffee ratio.
How Does the Brewing Method Influence Flavor?
The kind of coffee bean you choose for cold brew will be influenced by the brewing technique you utilize.
You have two options here:
The Immersion Method
After steeping the ground beans in cold water for around 24 hours, the immersion process entails sifting them. This is the simplest and most cost-effective method of cold brewing since you can usually find all of the materials you need right in your own kitchen.
To make cold brew coffee, you’ll need a coffee filter, cold brew coffee beans, water, and a jar. Hence, if you’re a beginner, it’s advisable to stick with this strategy.
The Slow Drip Method
The slow drip technique, as the name implies, entails gently dripping chilled water over the ground beans while collecting the resultant brew in a flask.
It necessitates the purchase of certain specific equipment. It will also take considerably longer to complete than the immersion procedure. A cup of cold brew might take up to five hours to make using the slow drip technique.
Immersion Vs. Slow Drip – Which Is Best?
In terms of taste, the immersion technique produces a full-bodied concentrated brew, whilst the slow drip method produces a more diluted medium-bodied coffee. In any case, either approach works and may give a variety of nutritional advantages.
Blends or Single Origin Coffee – What Should I Choose?
If you’re new to cold brewing, go for single-origin bean coffee. This coffee has a more distinct taste profile than mixes, which means you’ll experience each flavor to the fullest.
Single-origin coffees are a little more costly. Yet, if you want to taste a substantially superior brew, spending a little extra money will not disappoint.
If, on the other hand, you already know and love a combination, go ahead and try it. In the end, your decision and preference are all that counts. What kind of coffee do you like?
Does the Grind Matter?
The answer is, of course, yes!
Whether you use pre-ground beans or prefer to purchase whole beans and grind them yourself, you should realize that the grind is important.
The finely powdered beans may cause over-extraction, which results in a harsh flavor. That is why coarse grinding your beans is recommended for cold brewing.
Should I Use Pre-Ground Coffee for Cold Brew?
This is one of the most often requested cold brew coffee questions. Yet, the truth is that pre-ground coffee is not required. You may use whatever coffee you like. It may be any standard ground coffee or any special cold brew coffee; the choice is entirely yours.
The flavor and overall cold brew results may vary based on the kind and grind of coffee used, but this should not prevent you from using the coffee you like.
If you’re going to use pre-ground coffee for cold brew, make sure you:
- Choose coffee that is not an espresso mix or has extra-finely ground beans.
- When purchasing pre-ground coffee for cold brew, pick a coarse grind option.
- It will take trial and error with your coffee grinds to determine the proper ratios and time.
- Verify the dates to make sure the coffee bean you’re buying is fresh. To acquire the best results, go through all of the freshness indications when verifying the roast date.
Should You Add Cream/Milk to Your Cold Brew?
Most coffee enthusiasts feel that cold brew coffee does not need milk or cream since it has a naturally creamy texture.
It is preferable to start with a cold brew to determine your preference. If you need it, you may add a little dairy to your coffee. Use a 3:1 ratio (3 parts cold brew to one part milk) for this. Everything is up to your preference. If necessary, you may change the ratio.
Conclusion + Our Top Pick
Discovering these refreshing cold brew choices may be enjoyable if you understand how to correctly create them. If you’re using a mild roast, avoid medicinal or citrus combinations. If you don’t want your brew to be sweet with chocolate tastes, soak dark roasts for a short period of time.
Rather of ice cubes, chill your drink with frozen cold brew coffee or whiskey stones. Considering these factors can assist you in creating the ideal cold brew.
Stone Street Coffee Cold Brew is our best recommendation from the list above for a beginner. If you’re searching for a caffeine high, try Death Wish Organic Coffee.
Bizzy Organic is a good option if you want to experiment with more delicate tastes in your cold brew. Last but not least, if you’re looking for a cold brew coffee with a flavor kick, Caf Du Monde is the place to go.
In summary, personal taste and decision will play a significant factor in determining your preferred coffee brew. Whichever you select, remember that the finest cold brew coffee is the one you believe is best for you.
What are your thoughts? Which cold brew beans would you suggest to our cold brew fans? We’d love to hear what you think.
If you don’t want to spend too much time brewing your cold brew, how about purchasing instant coffee? Remember to check out our top recommendations and shopping guide for some of the finest instant coffee.
FAQs
What type of coffee is good for cold brew?
What kind of coffee should I use for cold brew? The quick answer is: Use your preferred medium or dark roast for this one. For cold brew, use your favorite coffee bean. The size of the grind is very important.
What is the best store bought coffee for cold brew?
What Constitutes a Nice Cup of Cold Brew?
Editor’s Pick: Chameleon Organic Cold-Brew…. For Those Who Want It Black: High Brew Black & Bold Cold-Brew…. For Your On-Site Event: Chameleon Organic Cold-Brew. The Wandering Bear Organic Cold Brew Extremely Strong…
The best cold brew for a heat wave is: STK Unsweetened Black Cold Brew Coffee.
La Colombe Cold Brew is the best deal.
Additional details…•September 3, 2022
What strength of coffee is best for cold brew?
Cold brew vs.
The typical drip coffee ratio is 1 part coffee to 16 to 20 parts water. This is also referred to as “strength.” The ratio of cold brew concentrate to water is typically 1:4 to 1:8. It’s a concentrated coffee drink that’s significantly stronger – and contains a lot more caffeine – than the same quantity of drip coffee liquid.
Can I use regular ground coffee for cold brew?
Yes, normal coffee beans may be used to produce cold brew, so your favorite coffee is a fantastic place to start! Nevertheless, coarse ground coffee beans are recommended. If you use standard or finely ground coffee beans, the bottom of your cold brew container will have a thick, gritty sludge.
Is Folgers OK for cold brew?
Our skilled Roast Masters meticulously designed its taste profile for a cup that’s full of character every time. Folgers House Blend ground coffee is wonderful any way you make it, but it’s particularly good cold brewed or in a French press.
Is fresh ground coffee better for cold brew?
Whole beans that have been freshly ground are ideal for cold brew coffee. Medium roast beans, which have been roasted at a lower temperature than dark roast beans, are suggested.
What coffee does Dunkin use for cold brew?
100% Arabica beans steeped in cold water overnight for 12 hours to gently extract the flavor, resulting in an ultra-smooth, full-bodied cold coffee with a richer, rich chocolaty flavor. Small batch craft brewing.
What is the golden ratio for cold brew?
The Golden Mean
The industry standard for cold brew is a coffee-to-water ratio of 1:8. Add 8 grams of water to every gram of ground coffee (and measuring by weight will always yield the most accurate results).
Is medium or coarse coffee better for cold brew?
Cold Brew – When preparing cold brew coffee, we recommend a medium-coarse to coarse setting. This grind size is highly forgiving and enables you to brew the coffee for 12+ hours in cold water. A finer setting would expedite the brewing process but might result in an over-extracted brew.
Why is my cold brew coffee not strong enough?
Your steeping period is either too short or too lengthy.
In a cold fridge, though, the brewing process slows significantly. Thus, allow at least 3 to 6 hours for fridge brewing. If your brew is too weak, steep the grounds for a few hours longer the following time.