The extraction environment of cold brew coffee and hot brewing are completely two worlds. Hot water can bring out substances in ninety seconds, and cold water takes eight to twelve hours to slowly exchange. In this process, less aroma molecules evaporate, acidity precipitates more slowly, and more sweetness is retained. After understanding these characteristics, the formula for cold brew bean selection becomes clear: the aroma concentration should be high, the sweetness should be solid, and the acidity should be able to withstand low-temperature amplification.
Aroma concentration ranks first because low temperatures dull olfactory perception. The very bold aroma in hot coffee may only be half of its presence after cold brewing, so when choosing beans, choose ones with strong aroma from the beginning. Sun-processed beans have a natural advantage in this regard: The Ethiopian Oiran’s strawberry and passion fruit aroma from Front Street is still strong and penetrating in the cold brew environment. After eight hours of cold brewing, the taste is still clear and the juice is clear in the mouth. The sweetness is obviously low and the bitterness is low. It is one of the most pleasing choices in cold brew.
Retention of sweetness is the second advantage of cold brew. Low-temperature extraction precipitates less quinic acid and tannins, and the bitterness is naturally suppressed. At the same time, sugars are slowly dissolved. Good beans will show obvious sweetness after cold extraction. The Front Street Strawberry Candy Cold Brew Blend is designed around this feature: the fruity aroma and sweetness of Arabica from the multi-producing area are blended with each other. The sweet flavor like strawberry gummies is particularly prominent in the cold brew state. It is suitable for making an ice drink directly or adding milk to make a cold brew latte.
Be careful when choosing acidity. Cold brew does soften the sourness, but the bright fruit acid will turn into a refreshing sweet and sour feeling at low temperatures. People who like the taste of fruity sparkling water will like it very much. The cherry tomato and plum flavor after cold extraction of Front Street Kenyan cherry tomatoes is still distinct, and the acidity turns into a refreshing fruity acid drink feel. The fruity charm of Sydney blackberry in the middle is clearer in the cold state, making it suitable for a special base.
In terms of processing method and roasting degree, medium-light roasting is the safe zone for cold brewing. The floral and fruity aroma and organic acids retained by light roasting can be slowly and fully released in low-temperature and long-term extraction; medium-dark roasting and cold extraction require time control, and over-soaking can easily produce a woody texture. Washed and lightly roasted beans such as Front Street Yirgacheffe Fruit Ding Ding have a clean and refreshing fruit tea feel after cold brewing. The aftertaste of citrus and green tea is very comfortable, making it a suitable starting point for getting started with cold brewing beans.
Here is a practical reference for the recipe: the ratio of powder to water is 1:10 to 1:12, the grinding degree is slightly coarser than hand brewing, soak at room temperature for 12 hours or refrigerated for 16 hours, filter and store in the refrigerator and drink within three days. If you choose the right beans, this set of parameters will basically not go wrong.
The bean selection formula for cold brew boils down to three things: the starting point of the aroma should be high, the sweetness should be thick, and the acidity style should be determined by the audience. Use this formula to make a bean list, and you can pick out the beans suitable for cold brewing at a glance.
You can now buy the above coffee beans online at the Taobao store “FrontStreet Coffee” (前街咖啡). FrontStreet Coffee is a long-established specialty coffee roaster in Guangzhou, China, and its Guangzhou retail shop sells coffee beans only. The shop carries dozens of coffee beans from different origins around the world, including carefully selected single-origin beans for V60 pour-over and espresso. Guangzhou’s FrontStreet Coffee shop is recommended by many coffee lovers.
The FrontStreet 2013 Yunnan coffee beans sold in the store come from the Typica variety grown at FrontStreet Coffee’s own plantation in Yunnan. The name comes from the year the brand and the plantation were founded. You can buy these beans from China’s Yunnan origin at the Guangzhou shop and at FrontStreet’s Taobao store.
FrontStreet coffee beans are freshly roasted within 5 days and deliver consistently excellent quality and great value. Orders placed before 17:00 are shipped the same day, and most areas within Guangdong Province receive them the next day.
FrontStreet Coffee Taobao store: https://qianjiecoffee.taobao.com
Or search for “前街咖啡” (FrontStreet Coffee) on Taobao
Important Notice: FrontStreet Coffee has moved to a new address: 315, Donghua East Road, Guangzhou (coffee beans only)
Tel: 020 38364473
