Are you looking for instructions on how to cold brew coffee in order to make a coffee concentrate or hot coffee treat? If so, the information you need to make cold brewed coffee is provided below, even if you do not have specialized equipment.

Cold brewing is a method of extracting the coffee flavor from coffee ground without the traditional method of hot water. This coffee making method takes longer than the more traditional route, but it produces a smooth rich concentrate that can be used in making iced coffee, or even a delicious cup of hot coffee. Cold brewed coffee also tends to be less acidic and may produce a richer tasting coffee than the quick, hot water brewing methods. Less acid also means less heartburn, allowing coffee to become a late night treat. Cold brewing produces a coffee concentrate which can then be used to make hot coffee, iced coffee, or a coffee flavored beverage. You'll need a coffee maker designed for cold brew, which you can purchase or make yourself with equipment you already have at home. The key ingredients of successful cold brew are quality coffee, fresh water, and patience, as the mixture needs to steep for twelve hours.

Cold brewing does require specialized equipment. However you can improvise with items you already may have such as a French Press. This is typically a glass container that is outfitted with a rounded filter and compression top that can be pressed or plunged down to the bottom of the container. This allows you to separate the coffee grounds from the concentrate easily.http://www.cookography.com/2007/cold-brewed-coffee-using-a-french-press The Two Cup method can also be used. Obtain two large plastic cups that nestle into each other. Plastic cups from fast food restaurants that have a cup holder indention work best. Puncture the bottom of the top cup with a push pin or something of similar size. Then take a piece of cardboard and cut out a circle that will snugly fit around the cup about 1/4 of the way up, where the cup holder portion transitions to the top part of the cup. This cardboard will now allow the top cup to be used as a filter.http://www.ineedcoffee.com/06/coldhome/ The Jar and Filter method is also effective. Find two glass jars with lids. After the cold brewing process is finalized, use a fine mesh strainer or coffee filter holder with a coffee filter to strain the coffee grounds from the first jar to the second jar.http://smittenkitchen.com/2008/08/cold-brewed-iced-coffee/

If you'd prefer to forgo the improvisation, there are many products available on the market such as the Filtron which offers several different systems and sizes from a basic domestic unit to a commercial size.http://www.filtron.com/ Hourglass Coffee offers a specialized pitcher that advertises their brew as 69.6% less acidic than standard hot brewed coffee.http://www.hourglasscoffee.com/ There is also the Toddy, a complete system with glass decanter, reusable filters, handled container and rubber stoppers.http://www.toddycafe.com

To begin the cold brewing process, obtain good quality coffee grounds. Consider purchasing organic or gourmet or coffee grounds from your favorite coffee store. You can also purchase whole, roasted coffee beans and grind them yourself for increased freshness. Dark roasted beans and grounds tend to work best.

After you have your coffee grounds, you will need to determine the amount of coffee to use. The amount of coffee you will use depends on the size of your container. Generally, you'll need about 4.5 ounces of coffee for every 8 ounces of water. You can modify this proportion if you prefer stronger or weaker coffee concentrate. If you do not know the size of your container, fill it with water, then measure out the water into a measuring cup. Now place your measured grounds into your coffee container. Next, obtain good drinking water. You can use tap, filtered or bottled water, just make sure you like the taste of it. Avoid using softened. Pour water over the measured grounds, trying to gently wet all the grounds in the process. If some of the grounds are not wet by the time you have finished filling the container, gently swirl the water until all coffee grounds are wet.http://www.howtobrewcoffee.com/concentrator.htm

After the coffee has steeped in water for at least twelve hour, it is time to filter the concentrate. Depending on your equipment, you will filter the coffee grounds from the concentrated liquid. You can use regular coffee filters, cheese cloth, a fine mesh strainer or the filter that came with a cold brew system. You may need to strainer in several steps, depending on the size of your filtering system. Be careful not to overfill and make sure the coffee grounds do not make it through the filter into the concentrate.

Your concentrate is now ready for use. Try adding 2 tablespoons per cup of coffee and adjusting the proportion based on your preference. The concentrate is perfect for making iced coffee, lattes, and and coffee flavored beverages as well. Concentrate also makes a suitable flavoring for desserts or other baked goods and confections. Add cream, sugar, or syrup just like you would with regular coffee. Store your concentrate in the refrigerator. Do not store it for longer than 14 days as bacteria will start to form. For optimal taste and quality, drink it fresh or close to when it was first brewed.http://www.cookography.com/2007/cold-brewed-coffee-using-a-french-press

Check out these other helpful How Tos to learn more about coffee.

1. How to Make a Frappuccino
2. How to Make an Espresso
3. How to Make a Cafe Latte
4. How to Make a Chai Latte
5. How to Make a Cafe Americano
6. How to Make a Cafe Macchiato
7. How to Make a Caramel Macchiato
8. How to Make a Mocha
9. How to Make a Breve Latte
10. How to Make a Cafe Au Lait
11. How to Make an Espresso Con Panna
12. How to Make Good Coffee
13. How to Make A Ristretto
14. How to Make A Lungo
15. How to Make French Press Coffee
16. How to Make A Pumpkin Spice Latte
17. How to Make Iced Coffee
18. How to Cold Brew Coffee