Coffee concentrate can be used to make both hot and cold coffee. It can be stored in the refrigerator for up to three weeks and provides a fast but fresh way to enjoy exquisite coffee daily.
Our six-step recipe makes making concentrated coffee easy. It does take some time to make, but once diluted, it will make around 20 cups of coffee.
What You Need to Make Coffee Concentrate
Making coffee concentrate is easy. This recipe only requires two ingredients, but you will need a few pieces of equipment you may not necessarily have in your kitchen.
Here's what you'll need to make coffee concentrate:
Ingredients
- Whole or pre-ground coffee
- Water
Equipment
- French press
- Kettle
- Glass jars or bottles (for storage)
Coffee Recommendations
The best coffee for concentrate should be a dark roast. Whether you use a 100% arabica, 100% robusta, or a blend of the two is down to personal preference.
If you prefer smoother coffee with less intensity, you should opt for arabica. If you prefer strong, bold, rich coffee you should go for robusta. If you like a smooth coffee with dark, nutty notes, opt for a robusta and arabica blend.
We recommend:
- Cafely DaLat Coffee (100% Arabica)
- Cafely DaNang Coffee (Arabica x Robusta)
- Cafely HaNoi Coffee (100% Robusta)
- Cafely SaiGon OG Coffee (Robusta x Arabica X Peaberry)
How to Make Coffee Concentrate: The Easy Way
Although there are several ways to make concentrated coffee, most agree that the cold brew method is the best.
This simple five-step recipe will help you make a strong, flavorful, concentrated coffee using the cold brew method. This concentrate can be used for both hot and iced coffee and makes enough for around 20 cups of coffee. Divide the ingredients by two or four to make 10 or 5 cups-worth.
1. Grind the Coffee
Grind eight ounces (230 grams) of high-quality coffee. Aim for a coarse consistency similar to flaky sea salt.
Take eight ounces of premium ground coffee if you don't want to grind fresh.
2. Add the Ingredients to the French Press
Take the ground coffee and add it to the French press. Pour in five cups of cold water and stir to combine.
3. Allow the Coffee to Brew
Place the press on the container and push it down until it touches the surface of the water. Do not plunge it through the brew yet.
Place the French press in the refrigerator for 18 to 24 hours. The longer you leave it, the stronger the concentration will be.
4. Strain the Brew
After 18 to 24 hours, remove the French press from the refrigerator and slowly plunge to separate the grounds from the brew.
5. Pour and Store
Take one or two large glass bottles or mason jars and pour in the coffee concentrate slowly. Seal the containers and store them in the fridge. This concentrate will last for two to three weeks.
6. Using the Concentrate
To use this concentrate, take ¼ cup and add it to a cup followed by hot water, steamed milk, cold water and ice, or milk and ice.
There are several ways to use coffee concentrate…
What Types of Brews Require Coffee Concentrates?
You can make almost any coffee with concentrated coffee. Most use it for iced beverages but it can also be used as an espresso shot replacement in milky hot brews such as lattes and cappuccinos.
Here are four brews that can be made with coffee concentrate:
1. Iced Coffee
Ice coffee is made using concentrated coffee, ice, milk, and sugar. Having a batch of concentrated coffee to hand allows you to make iced coffee in an instant.
Here's how to make iced coffee using concentrated coffee:
- Add ice to a tall glass.
- Pour in a single or double shot of concentrated coffee.
- Add sugar or syrup and stir (optional).
- Fill the glass with cold milk or water.
- Stir to combine and enjoy.
2. Frozen Coffee
Frozen coffee is similar to iced coffee but the mixture is blended to create a slushy, milkshake-like beverage. It contains the same ingredients as iced coffee (concentrated coffee, ice, milk, and sugar or syrup [optional]). You'll need a blender for this recipe.
Here's how to make frozen coffee with concentrated coffee:
- In a blender, add ice, a single or double shot of concentrated coffee, milk, and sugar or syrup if desired.
- Blend at a low speed, gradually increasing until a thick, slushy, coffee has been made.
- Pour the beverage into a large glass.
- Serve with or without a straw.
3. Flat White
A flat white is an espresso-based drink that contains an espresso shot and steamed milk. However, you can make a beverage similar to a flat white using concentrated coffee and frothed or steamed milk. You'll need a milk frother, fine whisk, or steaming wand to achieve the right milk texture.
Here's how to make a flat white with concentrated coffee:
- First, fill a steaming pitcher with four to six ounces of milk. Submerge the steam wand just below the surface, switch it on, and steam until a frothy microfoam has been created. If you don't have a steam wand, heat four to six ounces of milk in a pan and froth with a milk frother or fine whisk until a microfoam has been created.
- Heat one or two shots of concentrated coffee in a small saucepan.
- Pour the warm coffee into a large coffee mug.
- Gently pour the milk into the center of the coffee, moving out toward the rim in circles.
- Serve and enjoy. Add a pinch of brown sugar to sweeten if desired.
4. Mocha Coffee
Love coffee and chocolate? The mocha coffee combines both. This chocolatey coffee can be made using coffee concentrate and a simple chocolate syrup that can be made in minutes.
Here's how to make a mocha coffee with concentrated coffee:
- First, add a shot or two of concentrated coffee to a small pan and heat gently.
- Next, gently warm a cup of milk in a pan until hot but not boiling.
- To make the chocolate syrup, mix chocolate shavings or cocoa powder in a bowl with a small amount of hot water. Stir until melted.
- Combine the milk and chocolate syrup, and froth with a milk frother or fine whisk to create a velvety texture.
- In a mug, add the coffee followed by the chocolate milk. Stir gently and serve while hot.
FAQs: Coffee Concentrates
Learn more about coffee concentrates and how they’re used in the frequently asked questions below.
1. How Do You Make Regular Cold Brew Coffee?
You make regular cold brew coffee the same way as you make concentrated coffee. However, the coffee-to-water ratio is altered to make a milder brew. The average cold brew coffee has a 1:8 coffee-to-water ratio.
Learn how to make cold brew coffee in this guide.
2. What’s the Difference Between Cold Brew and Iced Coffee?
Cold brew is made using cold water. It takes a long time to brew and produces a smooth coffee with low acidity. Iced coffee is typically made using a concentrated hot brew coffee that’s cooled, poured over ice, and combined with milk.
3. Can Coffee Concentrate be Frozen For Later Use?
Yes. You can freeze concentrated coffee into ice cubes. This is a great way to make iced coffee quickly. Simply take one to two concentrated coffee ice cubes, thaw them with a small amount of hot water, and dilute further with water or milk before pouring over regular ice. Frozen coffee concentrate will last in the fridge for at least 12 months.
4. What Are The Benefits Of Using Coffee Concentrate?
Using a coffee concentrate produces a coffee with a slightly different flavor profile than using hot brew coffee. Cold brew coffee concentrate is low acidity and has a relatively high caffeine content. It works great in iced coffee and produces a lighter hot brew when combined with warm water or milk.
5. Is Coffee Concentrate Stronger Than Espresso?
Coffee concentrate is stronger than espresso. The longer brew time and larger amount of coffee used give concentrated cold brew coffee a higher caffeine content per milliliter. A typical 30 mL shot of espresso has around 30 mg of caffeine. A 30 mL shot of concentrated coffee has around 60 mg of caffeine.
6. What Is The Best Way To Reheat Coffee Concentrate?
The best way to reheat concentrated coffee is by placing it in a pan on the stove. Slowly heat the brew until steam rises — take it off the heat before it boils. If you're making a regular cup of hot coffee with a small amount of concentrated coffee, you can add the cooled brew to the cup and top up with hot water or milk as required.
7. Can You Sweeten Coffee Concentrate Before Brewing?
You can add sugar, syrup, or honey to the coffee and water before brewing concentrated coffee with the French press. If using granulated sugar, stir it into the cold water to dissolve before adding the coffee.
8. What Is The Best Container For Storing Coffee Concentrate?
The best container for storing concentrated coffee should be airtight and made from glass. Mason jars and sealable glass bottles work well for storing concentrated coffee. When stored in the fridge, it will last for around one week.
9. How Can Coffee Concentrate Be Used In Baking?
You can use concentrated coffee in brownie recipes and other sweet, chocolatey desserts. If a recipe calls for water, replace all or part of it with the brew to add a subtle coffee flavor to the food.
10. Is Coffee Concentrate Suitable For People With Acid Reflux?
When made using the cold brew method above and diluted with water, concentrated coffee may be better for people who suffer from acid reflux and/or heartburn. Cold brew coffee has lower acidity than hot brew coffee.
