C
ClearInsight News

Do you need a French press for cold brew?

Author

Sophia Edwards

Published Mar 15, 2026

Do you need a French press for cold brew?

More good news: according to America's Test Kitchen's taste test of cold-brew systems, using a French press makes the best-tasting cold brew. So not only can you keep using your French press -- and have no need to buy a cold brew system -- but it'll be the best cold brew around (provided that you're using good beans).

Likewise, do you use a French press for cold brew?

Yes you can and it's just this simple: Add the ground coffee and water to your French press and let it sit 8 to 24 hours.

Additionally, can you use regular ground coffee for cold brew? Yes, you can use regular coffee beans to make cold brew, so your favorite coffee is a great place to start! However, we recommend using coarse ground coffee beans. If you use regular or finely ground coffee beans, you'll wind up with a bit of thick, gritty sludge at the bottom of your cold brew jar.

Subsequently, one may also ask, can you make cold brew in a plunger?

Cold Brew Recipe

Place the grounds in the base of your French Press and cover with cold water. Don't push down your French Press plunger just yet, and place your French Press in a cold, dark place for 12-15 hours (we use our refrigerator). Then, push down your plunger and pour over ice.

Can I make cold brew without a machine?

Thankfully, you don't need any fancy equipment to make your own cold brew right at home. According to coffee experts, all you do need are some good beans, water, and a little patience. An espresso is an espresso not because of the beans, but because of the process and machinery you use to make it.

How do I make coffee grounds without a French press?

HOW TO BREW IT
  1. Pour water into your pan.
  2. Stir the coffee grounds right into the water.
  3. Set a burner to medium-high and bring your coffee to a boil.
  4. Boil your coffee uncovered for two minutes.
  5. Remove the pot from the heat and let it sit for four minutes.

Is cold brew difficult to make?

Making cold brew coffee is no great secret, nor does it require the ninja-level skills of a trained barista in order to master. You don't even need much special equipment beyond a large container for making the coffee and a strainer.

Do you need special equipment for cold brew?

First, cold brew coffee is very easy to make and doesn't require any special equipment. You don't need a coffee maker. You don't need coffee filters. While you will want something to strain the coffee grounds from your coffee, it doesn't need to be anything special.

What equipment is needed for cold brew?

Coffee grinder

Rosenacker says a burr grinder, which grinds coffee between two abrasive surfaces, is usually a better choice than a blade grinder, which chops up coffee beans sort of like a blender would. He recommends the Baratza Encore coffee grinder.

Why French press coffee is bad for you?

The bottom line is that French press coffee—or any type of coffee made without a paper filter—may slightly raise cholesterol levels; what's more, drinking large amounts of unfiltered coffee has been linked to heart disease.

Is cold brew bad for you?

Cold brew coffee—made by steeping coffee grounds in cold water for typically an entire day—is just as healthy as regular coffee, according to nutrition expert Frank Hu of Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health.

Is cold brew stronger?

Cold brew concentrate is often 1:4 to 1:8. It is literally a concentrated coffee drink and is much stronger - and has much more caffeine - than the same amount of drip coffee liquid.

Should cold brew steep in fridge?

Nope! Room temp is fine, but you want to get the cold brew in a fridge as soon as it's done filtering to get it cold as quickly as possible. If you're steeping in your fridge try a longer steep closer to 20 hours.

How does Starbucks make cold brew?

Directions
  1. Drop two pitcher packs into a 48-fluid-ounce (or larger) pitcher. Add four cups cold, filtered water to pitcher and cover.
  2. Steep coffee in refrigerator for 24 hours.
  3. Remove pitcher packs gently. Add three cups cold, filtered water to pitcher.
  4. Serve in a tall glass filled halfway with ice.

What is the best ratio for cold brew coffee?

The general consensus on making the perfect cold brew is that a 1:5 proportion of coffee to water creates a nice balanced drink that you can enjoy straight. If you prefer to mix it with something, you'll want to mix equal parts, cold water, milk, or whatever other cold brew coffee recipes you like.

How do you make cold brew Bodum?

How it Works
  1. Place the cold coffee brewer on a flat surface and remove the plunger.
  2. Add coarse ground coffee – we recommend using twice your usual amount.
  3. Add fresh cold water and stir with a plastic spoon.
  4. Put the lid on, place the jug in the refrigerator, and let your coffee brew for 12 to 24 hours.

Can you use fine ground coffee in a French press?

A finely ground coffee will be too fine for the mesh strainer of your French Press to be able to remove the coffee particles. So, unless you enjoy a mouthfeel of coffee grounds, you'll need to add an additional filtration step if you want to use finely ground coffee in your French Press.

What is cold brew coffee vs iced coffee?

Cold Brew is made without heat, which creates lower acidity for a smoother, naturally sweet taste. Iced Coffee is brewed double strength then cooled, which creates a refreshing, lighter body. It's served sweetened, often with a splash of milk.

How long does cold brew take?

Since the water is cold, it needs to steep for about 12 to 18 hours to soak up the coffee's color, flavor and caffeine. The cold extraction process brings out fewer of coffee's bitter compounds, which produces a sweeter and smoother result.

Can you make cold brew with hot water?

The hot bloom method is a way of making cold brew using hot water in the first seconds of the brewing process. Add your coffee grounds to a cold brew maker (for example this one) and pour hot water over it. Wait for 30s and add then add cold water. Let it cold brew for 12-24hrs.

How long is cold brew good for?

Unlike hot coffee, which is pretty much crap after a few hours, cold brew will keep in your fridge. As an undiluted concentrate, it'll keep for up to two weeks, although the flavor quality will degrade after the first week. If you've cut the concentrate with water, that shortens the shelf life to a mere 2-3 days.

Is cold brew less acidic?

“Cold brew coffees across all three roast temperatures were slightly less acidic than their hot brew counterparts,†the results state. “As roasting temperature increased, the total titratable acidity (TA) of all coffees decreased.

How much coffee do you put in a French press for cold brew?

How to Cold Brew:
  1. Add 4 Oz of coarse ground coffee to the bottom of the French Press.
  2. Pour 3 cups of cold or room temp water over the grounds gently.
  3. Gently stir to get all of the grounds wet.
  4. Let sit for 14-16 hours at room temperature.

What coffee is used for Starbucks cold brew?

Starbucks uses a cold brew blend that includes coffee beans from Nariño, Colombia. Only Starbucks knows exactly what the blend is, but you can get a very close version by making cold brew using Starbucks Cold Brew Pitcher Packs which contains coffee from Nariño.

Is it cheaper to make your own cold brew?

If planning to add ice, make the brew stronger by adding more grounds than normal to the brewing basket in a traditional coffee maker. This method is easy and a lot cheaper than paying up to $4 for iced coffee.

Can I use Folgers for cold brew?

Cold brewed coffee is less acidic, has a more bold flavor, and is so much better tasting in iced coffee drinks. For iced coffee like this, I love to use new Folgers Coffeehouse Blend. It has an amazing taste and a beautiful aroma. You can cold brew it, use a french press, or your regular coffee pot to brew it.

Can you make cold brew coffee in a plastic pitcher?

You can steep coffee for cold brew in just about any watertight vessel, from mason jars or glass pitchers, to even plastic buckets. If you plan to brew in your kitchen fridge, then a small mason jar, French press or pitcher will work best.

Why is my cold brew bitter?

Bitterness is a sign of too much extraction (over-brewing). Either the grounds were too fine and brewed too fast, or you simply let it brew for too long. Use a coarser grind setting or—more easily—reduce the steep time (try one fix at a time or you may overdo it).

Can I make cold brew with whole beans?

It technically is possible to make cold brew coffee with whole beans. You would basically take your whole beans, put it in a container and steep it for 12-24 hours or until the coffee is dark enough for your liking.

Continue Reading

Who is the captain of the Nisshin Maru?

How old is Jihoon Lee?

What type of warning system does a tsunami have?

Do you need a French press for cold brew?