I just roasted a batch of what I like to call the best beans for cold brew. I like to roast my own beans, but I rarely have enough time for this. I usually find what I need at the local roasters around me, or on the Internet. This time, however, I wanted something special, so I took the time to roast myself. Total success, the best.
Most people, though, don’t have the time or skills to roast their own coffee, so they buy their cold brew beans from roasting companies. This post has reviews of coffee beans that I’ve used to make cold brew coffee in the past. I only included the coffees that I absolutely loved, and I hope you will love these too.
Cold brew coffee has become increasingly popular over the last few years. Unlike traditional hot coffee, cold brew is brewed slowly in cold or room temperature water for 12-24 hours. This long, low-temperature brewing method results in a smooth, naturally sweet coffee concentrate that can be served chilled or diluted with water or milk.
But not all coffee beans make great cold brew. Since the cold extraction process doesn’t remove acids and bitter compounds like hot water does, you need to start with a bean that will produce a smooth, tasty drink. Through lots of experimentation, I’ve found that medium and dark roasts produce the best tasting cold brew coffee.
Why Use Medium or Dark Roast Beans for Cold Brew?
Cold brewing brings out deeper, chocolatey flavors while muting acidic and fruity notes. This makes medium and dark roasts ideal for cold brew since they tend to be less acidic and have more body and richer flavor compared to light roasts. Here’s a closer look at why medium and dark roasts shine in cold brew:
Bold, Chocolatey Flavor
The cold water extraction emphasizes the natural cocoa and caramel flavors in coffee while downplaying floral, tea-like tastes Medium and dark roasts have robust chocolate, nutty, and caramel notes that pair perfectly with cold brewing Light roasts may taste sour or hollow when cold brewed.
Smoother Body
The lack of heat means that cold brew doesn’t extract as much oil from the beans, resulting in a naturally smooth, velvety mouthfeel. Medium and dark roasts inherently have a richer body than light roasts, which makes them a great match for the naturally thick texture of cold brew.
Less Acidity
Cold brewing naturally reduces acidity in coffee But dark roasts have even less acidity than lighter roasts to begin with Starting with a bean that is less acidic results in a super smooth cold brew that won’t upset your stomach, especially if you drink it black.
No Bitterness
Over-extraction of light roasts can sometimes lead to a bitter cold brew. The caramelization of sugars in medium and dark roasts make them less likely to taste bitter, even after long cold steeping.
Tips for Choosing Beans for Cold Brew
Now that you know why medium and dark roasts are best for cold brew, here are some tips for selecting beans:
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Try chocolatey beans from Central or South America. Beans grown in regions like Brazil, Colombia, and Guatemala tend to have a classic chocolate and nutty flavor profile perfect for cold brew.
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Look for roasts labeled espresso or Vienna. Beans labelled this way will likely be a medium or dark roast good for cold brew. Stay away from anything labelled as breakfast blend or light roast.
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Go for whole beans and grind yourself. Pre-ground coffee will go stale faster which can mute flavors in cold brew. Buy whole beans and do a coarse grind right before brewing.
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Don’t spend a lot on fancy single-origin beans. Since cold brewing obscures delicate flavors, save expensive specialty beans for other brew methods where their complex flavors can shine.
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Always choose fresh beans. The natural sweetness of cold brew comes from fresh coffee oils. Old, stale beans will produce flat or bitter tasting brews.
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Consider using a coffee blend. Blends combine flavors from different beans, resulting in complex, robust taste perfect for cold brew.
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Try adding a little robusta. A small amount of robusta beans can amplify the chocolatey flavor in cold brew. But use no more than 10-15% or bitterness will result.
Best Medium Roast Beans for Cold Brew
Here are some of my favorite medium roast coffee beans that brew up deliciously smooth and sweet cold brew:
LifeBoost Medium Roast
This USDA certified organic and fair trade medium roast from LifeBoost Coffee has notes of toasted marshmallow, milk chocolate, and vanilla. It makes a well-balanced cold brew with low acidity.
Kicking Horse Grizzly Claw
A blend of Central and South American beans, this medium roast has flavors of cocoa, brown sugar, and toasted nuts. It shines when cold brewed, producing a complex yet mellow concentrate.
Stone Street Brooklyn Blend
With chocolate and caramel flavor notes, Stone Street’s medium roast blend yields an ultra smooth cold brew with subtle sweetness. It’s also economical, giving you great value for money.
Best Dark Roast Beans for Cold Brew
If you prefer an ultra-bold, dark roast flavor in your cold brew, here are some great options:
Death Wish Coffee Valhalla Java
Billed as the world’s strongest coffee, this USDA certified organic dark roast certainly lives up to the hype while remaining low in acidity. It makes a super rich, energizing cold brew concentrate.
Koffee Kult Thunder Bolt
A blend of beans sourced from Columbia, Guatemala, and Sumatra, this gourmet dark roast has intense yet smooth flavor with hints of cocoa and figs. It shines when cold brewed overnight.
Real Good Coffee Co Donut Shop
Donut Shop blend from Real Good Coffee Co is a classic dark roast with chocolate and nutty flavors. It’s affordable yet makes a cafe-quality cold brew with a creamy body.
Grinding Your Beans for Cold Brew
To maximize extraction and flavor, use a coarse grind for your cold brew beans. A fine grind can result in over-extraction and a bitter drink. Here are some grinding tips:
- Use a burr grinder if possible for uniform particle size
- Grind beans just before brewing to preserve freshness
- Aim for a coarse, sea salt-like consistency
- Adjust grind size based on steeping time; coarser for longer brews
- Avoid pre-ground coffee which may be too fine for cold brew
Brewing Cold Brew Coffee at Home
Now that you’ve selected the perfect beans and ground them correctly, it’s time to brew your cold brew! While cold brewing is fundamentally simple, these tips will help you nail the perfect cup:
- Use a ratio of 1:4 to 1:8 coffee to water for concentrate
- Steep for 12-24 hours in the refrigerator
- Use cold, filtered water for the best flavor
- Give the brew an occasional gentle stir during steeping
- Filter through cheesecloth or paper to remove grounds
- Dilute concentrate with water or milk to taste
- Add ice and enjoy!
The beauty of cold brew is that it keeps in the fridge for up to 2 weeks so you can brew a big batch for iced coffee all week long.
Time to Try Cold Brew with Medium or Dark Roast Beans
Kenya AA Roasted Coffee
This medium dark roast coffee is great if you like stronger coffee but still want some of the fruity and wild notes of Kenyan coffee. This is the perfect mix of the dark roast coffee that many people recommend and the delicate notes of origin that cold brew is known for.
The roast of this Kenya AA is medium dark, and this will produce a full-bodied cup. And if you don’t brew it too strong, you will retain some of the famous Kenyan acidic flavors.
This is a great coffee who wants to get acquainted with specialty cold brew coffee.
Cold Brew Blend Volcanica Coffee
Volcanica’s cold brew blend is perfect for an immersion cold brew. Make it medium-coarse, not coarse, as you may have read somewhere else, and let it steep for 24 hours. Because this concentrate steeps for a long time, it makes the tea even stronger, so you need to add water to weaken it.
This is a special blend that is perfect for making cold brew coffee. It is created with Sumatra beans and a low-acid Arabica, and roasted to a a medium roast level.
The Ultimate guide to Cold Brew Coffee
FAQ
What type of coffee bean is best for cold brew?
What kind of beans are used for cold brew?
Is Arabica or Robusta better for cold brew?
What type of coffee is best for cold coffee?
Which coffee beans are best for cold brew?
Medium to dark roast beans often work best as they provide rich and full-bodied flavors that can withstand the long steeping process without becoming overly bitter or sour. When making cold brew coffee, it’s important to select the best coffee beans that are fresh, coarsely ground, and suited for the slow extraction method.
Are dark roast coffee beans good for cold brew?
Dark roast coffee beans for cold brew tend to produce a smooth and full-bodied cup of joe. If you prefer a more balanced and slightly sweeter taste, medium roast coffee beans are ideal. They offer a good balance between acidity and body, making them versatile for various brewing methods including cold brewing.
What makes a good cold brew coffee?
Just a few of the most common traits to weigh include: Acidity – Try to find an excellent cold brew bean that has a low level of acidity. While some might like the “punch” of high-acid coffee, too much may trigger indigestion. Taste – Many cold brew coffee beans blend caramel, hazelnut, and chocolate aftertastes to produce a delicious brew.
Which robusta beans are best for cold brew?
One of the best options for Robusta beans is Top Shelf Grind’s Black Diamond Roast from Amazon.com, which is a highly caffeinated yet very palatable roast perfect for your next cold brew. It’s also much smoother than some other Robusta beans. Dark roast, black coffee doesn’t get any better than this.