Coffee
Cold brew
Cold brew is coffee steeped in cold water for many hours and then filtered, producing a low-acidity concentrate usually served over ice.
What it means for a café
Unlike everything else here it cannot be made to order, which changes how a café plans its day: cold brew is a batch decision taken yesterday. Running out at two on a hot afternoon is a forecasting failure rather than a queue problem.
This page describes cold brew in general. It is not a description of any particular chain’s recipe, and the photograph is not of any named company’s product.
- Steep time
- Typically 12–24 hours
- Served
- Over ice, often diluted
- Character
- Lower acidity than hot-brewed
More coffee
Espresso
Espresso is a concentrated coffee brewed by forcing hot water under pressure through finely ground beans, served in a small cup.
Cappuccino
A cappuccino is espresso with steamed milk and a thick layer of foam, traditionally served in a cup of around 150–180 ml.
Latte
A latte is espresso with a large volume of steamed milk and a thin layer of microfoam, usually served in a glass or tall cup.
Flat white
A flat white is espresso with steamed milk and a very thin layer of microfoam, served smaller than a latte so the coffee stays forward.
Americano
An americano is espresso diluted with hot water, producing a drink of similar strength to filter coffee but with espresso’s character.
Mocha
A mocha is espresso combined with chocolate and steamed milk, sitting between a coffee and a hot chocolate.
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