The Rise of Cold Brew Coffee
Making cold brew coffee with your whole bean San Lazaro Coffee is a simple process. It involves steeping coarsely ground coffee in cold water for an extended period of time. Here's a basic guide on how to make cold brew coffee:
What You Need
- Coarsely ground coffee beans (use our whole bean coffee varieties and grind them at home)
- Specialty Grade Arabica, Catimor Variety
- Specialty Grade Arabica, Caturra Variety
- Decaffeinated Specialty Grade Arabica, Sidamo Coffee
- Cold, filtered water
- Large container or jar with a lid
- Cheesecloth or fine-mesh strainer
- Optional: additional flavorings like cinnamon, vanilla, or chocolate (if desired)
- Optional: sweeteners or milk/cream (to taste)
Instructions
- Measure out your coffee. Use a ratio of approximately 1 part coffee to 4 parts water. For example, for 1 cup of coffee, you'll need 1/4 cup of coarsely ground coffee beans. Adjust the measurements based on your desired batch size.
- Combine coffee and water. In your large container or jar, add the coarsely ground coffee and pour in the cold, filtered water. Stir gently to ensure all the coffee grounds are saturated with water. If you'd like to add any flavorings, now is the time to include them.
- Steep the coffee. Place the lid on the container and let it sit at room temperature or in the refrigerator for at least 12 hours, or up to 24 hours for a stronger brew. The longer you steep, the stronger and more concentrated the cold brew will be.
- Strain the coffee. After the steeping time is complete, place a cheesecloth or fine-mesh strainer over another container or pitcher. Pour the cold brew coffee mixture through the strainer, allowing the liquid to pass through while filtering out the coffee grounds. You may need to do this step in batches, depending on the size of your strainer.
- Serve and enjoy. Once strained, your cold brew coffee is ready to be served. You can enjoy it as is over ice or dilute it with water if it's too strong for your liking. Add sweeteners or milk/cream according to your taste preferences. Cold brew coffee can be stored in the refrigerator for up to a week.
Feel free to experiment with different coffee bean varieties, brewing times, and ratios to find the flavor profile that suits your preferences.
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I started roasting coffee in 2011, right after my first trip to Mission Lazarus. I had been reading about home roasting for months leading up to our first trip. I had no idea of the San Lazaro farm. When we arrived at the Posada and drank the coffee I was blown away! I asked about the beans and was informed that the coffee is grown "over there", pointing across the valley to the farm and Mission Lazarus ran the farm. Light bulbs went off in my head and I mentioned I've been curious about roasting and asked if I could bring some green home. I took 5 lbs home and roasted them in my garage later that summer. I was hooked! Nothing better than freshly roasted coffee.