When it comes to making cold brew coffee, one critical choice can make or break the quality of your brew: the grind size. This guide cuts through the fluff to focus on why selecting the right grind size for cold brew coffee matters, and how getting it right can significantly impact your cold brew.
Table of Contents
Why Grind Size Matters
The importance of grind size in cold brew preparation can’t be overstated:
- Balanced Flavor: The right grind size ensures your coffee is flavorful without being overbearing.
- Smooth Texture: A coarse grind contributes to a smoother coffee and a sediment-free final product.
- Easy Filtration: Save yourself the hassle of dealing with clogged filters and murky coffee by sticking to a coarser grind.
- Consistent Quality: A consistent grind size means consistent quality in every batch of cold brew you make.
The Grind: Coarse vs. Fine
The texture of your coffee grounds plays a pivotal role in the brewing process. Here’s what you need to know:
Coarse Grind
A coarse grind is widely recommended for cold brew for good reasons. Its larger particles ensure a slower extraction, avoiding the bitterness often associated with over-extracted coffee. This grind also makes filtering your brew straightforward, leaving you with a clean, crisp cup of cold brew.
Fine Grind
Using a fine grind for cold brew can lead to over-extraction, resulting in a bitter taste. Additionally, fine grounds can make the filtration process messy and leave sediment in your coffee.
Cold Brew Essentials: Grinders and Beans
For a standout cold brew, fresh grounds are non-negotiable. Here’s a no-nonsense guide to the grinders and beans that will elevate your cold brew game.
Coffee Grinders I Recommend:
1. Spirit Animal’s Manual Burr Grinder
Simple and straightforward, this manual grinder does the job well, especially if you’re just dipping your toes into the world of cold brew. It’s a solid choice for those who prefer a more hands-on approach. And contrary to popular belief, you have just as much control over your grind size with a manual burr grinder as you do with a more expensive electronic one.
2. CUISINART Burr Grinder
I’ve found the Cuisinart DBM-8P1 Burr Grinder to be a straightforward and reliable option. With its 18 grind settings, it gives you enough flexibility to experiment with your cold brew grind size without overwhelming you with too many options.
2. Breville Smart Grinder Pro
As for the Breville BCG820BSS Smart Grinder Pro, I appreciate its precision and range. I use this exact model at my Masonic Lodge to grind beans for just about everything. The ability to adjust grind time in small increments and choose from 60 settings has been great for dialing in the exact coarseness I like for my cold brew.
My Favorite Cold-Brew Beans:
1. Spirit Animal’s Bourbon Blend
I don’t normally go for medium to light roast coffee since I was weened on dark roast. But, the Bourbon Blend from Spirit Animal Coffee is legitimately incredible when brewed as a cold brew. I didn’t realize coffee could have this many layers of flavor.
2. Volcanica’s Sumatran Coffee:
Volcanica is a solid choice for any type of brew. It’s an old standard in our house. You can buy it online or in most grocery stores. If you go online you’ll have a ton more options. Stick to a medium or dark roast.
3. Brewpoint’s Dark Roast
When you need that bold coffee punch, this dark roast delivers. It’s strong, straightforward, and gets the job done. Plus they’re a small, women-owned business, so it’s nice to know exactly where your money is going.
Conclusion: It’s All About the Grind
The grind size isn’t just a minor detail in the cold brew process—it’s foundational. Opt for a coarse grind to ensure your cold brew is top-notch. Remember, the right grind leads to the right flavor and texture in your cold brew coffee.
