Cold Pressed Coffee ❄️☕️🙂

Cold pressed or cold brew coffee can be a healthier and tastier option than “hot pressed” coffee like an espresso or Americano. This version of joe has more flavour and less of the side-effects. Say goodbye to jitters, stained teeth, stomach issues or acid reflux, and bouquet of flavour and exciting health benefits. Yeah, that’s right. There’s less acidity in cold pressed. A cup of cold pressed coffee has a 1/4 the acidity and is less bitter because the chemical chlorogenic acid lactones isn’t released in preparation. It’s only released when coffee is heated. How good is that? And if you’re a caffeine addict, and need that fix in the morning or during the midnight hour, no worries here. Cold pressed has 30-50% more caffeine in any cup as none of it is burned off in the heating processs. So zoom, zoom friend! Let’s take a look at how you can make this wonderful stuff at home and save a few bucks.

The Concept

Time replaces heat. And because of this, cold pressed coffee is packed with flavour and less acid than hot pressed. Heating coffee releases an enzyme that adds bitterness, acidity and burns off some of the tasty and healthy myriad bitter oils and biting fatty acids. Making cold pressed is easy and it’s convenient because it’s ready to go like a soda pop or orange juice. There are 2 methods to making this magic stuff:

1. Steeping Method. An easy, do it yourself option. All you need is a cheese cloth, some string and a jar. This option is significantly cheaper (filter system costs around $50-80) and more some would suggest a more effective route ass the water can saturate slightly longer providing more bold and exciting flavour profile.
2. Stepping/Dripping Method. Some traditionalists will claim dripping water through a filter is best and the only why to make cold pressed. The Toddy or Filtron are both great options for doing this.

Making Cold Pressed

The cold pressed process, completed through steeping coffee grinds in water or dripping water through coffee grinds over a 12-16 hour period, creates something truly incredible and fantastic: a delicious cup of mouth watering coffee. Not kidding. You will be amazed by just how much flavour is packed in there. Many are astounded the first time they try a cup of cold pressed with the huge flavour profile that it delivers.

1. Grind the Coffee. Grind the coffee to a medium-fine grind.
2. Wrap in Cloth. Throw the entire bag of coffee (200-300 grams) in some cheese clothe and tie it up with some twine.
3. Add water. Add in the water (purified is best) to a gallon jar or split between two 2 litre jars.
4. Put in Fridge. Place the jar(s) in the fridge and throw on the timer for 12-16 hours (depends on how strong you like your coffee).
5. Remove Bags. Once time has elapsed pull out the bag(s) of grinds and squeeze out any excess liquid back into the jars. Place the jars back in the fridge for storage (for up to 2 weeks).
6. Enjoy. 

My Recommendation

If you want to give this a go and are looking for a full and delightful flavour pickup a Central American bean at your local coffee shop or store. I prefer a medium roast Nicaraguan for its chocolaty, spicy and earthy tones. Make sure the quality is premium. Cold pressed highlights all the great flavours, but it can also bring out the not so great ones. As with most things the better the quality the greater the flavour. Enjoy.

Disclaimer: I’m not suggesting you give up your espresso, Americano or Frappuccino, but should give cold pressed coffee a try, and see how you go.