Yes, you can use cold water in a French press to make a cold brew coffee. You can also use ice in a French press to make iced coffee. French presses are most often used with hot water to make hot French press coffee, but these versatile coffee makers can be used to make your brew whatever the temperature.
Read on for an in-depth look at using cold water in a French press, using ice in a French press, and how to make coffee in a French press.
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Can Cold Water Be Used in a French Press?
Yes, cold water can be used in a French press to make cold brew coffee. Cold brew coffee is brewed without any heat and coffee grounds are soaked in cold water for around 12 hours at a time. Cold brew is made with a higher ratio of coffee to water than usual French press coffee and requires a different method.
How Do You Make Cold Brew Coffee in a French Press?
- In a standard 8-cup French press, add around two thirds of a cup/6 ounces of coffee grounds with three cups/28 ounces of cold water.
- Stir the cold water to get the grounds wet.
- Leave to sit for around 12-15 hours in a cold dark place, such as overnight in your refrigerator.
- Then push down your plunger to separate the grounds.
What Is the Difference Between Cold Brew and French Press Coffee?
Cold brew can be made in a French press, but the brewing methods are very different. French presses steep coffee grounds in hot water for a few minutes to extract flavor from the grounds, whereas cold brew entails steeping coffee grounds in cold water for around 12 hours. Cold brew also has a higher amount of coffee and therefore caffeine.
Does Cold Brew Coffee Taste Better?
Cold brew coffee is known to have less acidity and bitterness than coffee made through other methods. According to Coffee Statistics, cold brew coffee is 70% less acidic than hot brews. It tastes milder, sweeter, smoother, and more delicate. This allows you to taste chocolaty, nutty or syrupy flavors within your coffee that otherwise could be overpowered by strength and bitterness.
What Are the Benefits of Cold Brew Coffee?
- It is one of the easiest methods as you can just leave the coffee to brew overnight.
- You can make a big batch at one time which can last up to two weeks in a refrigerator.
- It has a sweeter, smoother and less bitter taste than other brewing methods.
- It’s a very refreshing way to get your coffee intake.
What Is A Cold Brew Maker?
A cold brew coffee maker is similar to a French press – it is a manual coffee brewing method made up of a glass beaker or carafe to make and store the cold brew in, as well as a filter. The filter differs between models and is made up of either paper or a metal mesh.
Can You Make Iced Coffee in a French Press?
Yes, you can make iced coffee in a French press. These versatile coffee makers can use hot water and cold water to make different types of coffee to suit your preferences. You can make a hot French press coffee or a cold brew and serve this over ice to make an iced coffee with that rich, distinct French press taste.
How Do You Make Iced Coffee in a French Press?
- Add your coffee grounds to the French press.
- Dependent on your preferred method – pour over either hot water, or cold water.
- For cold brew – leave to steep overnight in a fridge for around 12-15 hours.
- For hot brew – steep the grounds for around 4 minutes.
- Filter the grounds with the mesh metal plunger.
- Pour over ice to serve.
Can You Use Boiling Water in a French Press?
You can use boiling water in a French press – if your beaker is made of glass it will be safe to pour boiling water in. However, this is not recommended as if the water is too hot it can over-extract the coffee grounds more quickly, leading to a bitter taste. Boil your water and leave it to cool slightly first.
How Much Water Do You Put in a French Press?
For one cup of coffee, around 2 tablespoons of coffee grounds with one cup, or 8 ounces, of water is a good ratio. As mentioned above, this ratio changes for cold brew coffee. If making more than one cup at a time in a French press, double the amount for each additional cup.
How Do You Make Coffee in a French Press?
- Place coffee grounds in your French press.
- Boil water and after it has cooled slightly pour over the grounds.
- Stir the grounds and the water.
- Put on the lid and let coffee steep for around 4 minutes.
- Push the plunger to the bottom so that the mesh filter separates the grounds and water.
What is a French Press?
A French press is a simple, manual coffee brewing device – also known as just a coffee press or a cafetiere. It consists of a glass beaker and a plunger with a mesh filter. French presses are cheap to purchase but produce rich, flavorsome coffee.
How Does a French Press Work?
French presses make coffee manually through a process of steeping the coffee grounds in hot water for around 4 minutes. The coffee grounds are then filtered from the hot water with a metal mesh plunger.
Does Coffee Taste Better When Made in a French Press?
French press coffee is well-known for having a rich, distinct flavor and this is what makes it such a popular method. As the coffee grounds are saturated in hot water for several minutes the flavors, aromas and oils are extracted. This method also gives you control over the strength and taste of your brew as you choose how long to steep.
Hi, I’m Jen Williams, chief editor and writer for ThirstPerk.com.
I’ve been drinking coffee and tea for most of my life, but it wasn’t until I started working at Thirstperk.com that I became an expert on the subject. I’m a total caffeine addict who has spent hours upon hours reading about and experimenting with the different types of coffees out there in my search to find the perfect cup of joe.
I’ve been a tea lover for as long as I can remember as well. I grew up in a house with a mom who loved to drink herbal tea, and I think that’s where my love for tea first began. These days, I’m always on the lookout for new and interesting teas to try, and I love experimenting with different brewing methods and flavoring combinations.
