Cold Brew FAQ

Yes, believe it or not you can cold brew in milk In some cases, this may be preferable, particularly for desserts like creme brulee or for cold brew ice cream. So far, in my research I have come across some indications that if you are going to do this, using whole beans may be the way to go. One consideration is you are going to extract some different flavors this way because milk has some fat in it. When you brew in water, only water soluble compounds are extracted. Milk will pull some of the fat soluble compounds too. If you do try this–please remember to brew in the fridge!

How much caffeine cold brew has depends on how much coffee you use when brewing. Caffeine content can vary a lot in both home brewed and commercial cold brew products. When you make a concentrate, you use a lot more coffee than you would for a hot cup so as a concentrate, yes the caffeine will be higher. When you dilute it down to drink, you get back down into the range of hot coffee. In short, it depends.

Cold brew should last up to a week in the fridge. For best taste, you should drink it within a few days. Some people say it will keep up to 2 weeks in the fridge. The idea behind this statement is that the volatile oils that can go rancid in hot coffee do not show up in cold brew. From a food safety standpoint, I would recommend no longer than a week–if it lasts that long!

Yes and no. If you mean does it have a lower level of acid in the coffee, then yes, around 65% less acid than hot brewed coffee. Acidic can also be used as a descriptor for flavor however, usually referring to a bright and astringent flavor.

To make a concentrate, use 1 part coffee to 2 parts water. For example, 1 cup of coffee with 2 cups of water. This should yield a concentrate that can be diluted about 50/50 with water.

Absolutely. William Ukers, in his exhaustive All About Coffee (1922) describes a British practice of brewing at room temperature overnight, and then very gently heating the strained coffee in the morning. When I first heard about cold brew about 20 years ago, I was advised to make a concentrate and then dilute it with hot water. Either way, it can be done.

Yes! Ice cubes made from your leftover cold brew are a great way to cool your coffee without diluting it. After freezing, store in an airtight container for up to six months for best taste.

Any liquid can go bad as water is just too irresistible for mold, fungi, and bacteria. You should brew your coffee at cooler temperatures such as in the fridge if brewing more than 2 hours. Always store it in the fridge. This will keep it fresh and drinkable for about a week.