Can You Make Cold Brew Coffee With Folgers Beans?

Quick answer

• Yes, you can make cold brew coffee using Folgers beans.
• The quality of the cold brew will depend on several factors beyond just the brand of coffee.
• For the best results, consider grinding whole beans fresh for each batch.
• Use a coarse grind size specifically suited for cold brewing.
• Experiment with different coffee-to-water ratios to find your preferred strength.
• Ensure your water is clean and at the correct temperature for extraction.

Who this is for

• Home coffee enthusiasts looking to try cold brew for the first time.
• Budget-conscious coffee drinkers who want to make cold brew at home without buying expensive specialty beans.
• Anyone curious if their everyday coffee, like Folgers, can be used for this popular brewing method.

What to check first

• Brewer type and filter type:
• What kind of container are you using to brew? This could be a large mason jar, a dedicated cold brew maker, or even a French press.
• What type of filter will you use to separate the grounds from the concentrate? Common options include cheesecloth, fine-mesh sieves, paper filters (like those for pour-over, though these can clog), or the built-in filter of a cold brew maker. Ensure your chosen filter is fine enough to catch all the coffee grounds but not so fine that it causes excessive dripping or clogging.

If you’re looking for a simple and affordable way to start making cold brew at home, a mason jar with a lid is a great option. You can easily find one online or at most grocery stores.

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• Water quality and temperature:
• Cold brew relies on time, not heat, for extraction. While the water doesn’t need to be hot, its quality is crucial. Filtered water is highly recommended as tap water can contain minerals or chlorine that negatively impact taste.
• For cold brew, the water temperature should be cool, typically between 65-75°F (18-24°C). Room temperature water is usually sufficient. Avoid using hot water, as this will result in a hot brew, not cold brew.

• Grind size and coffee freshness:
• The grind size is critical for cold brew. You want a coarse grind, similar to breadcrumbs or sea salt. A fine grind will over-extract, leading to bitterness, and can also make filtering very difficult, potentially clogging your filter.
• While pre-ground coffee can be used, grinding whole beans just before brewing generally yields a fresher, more flavorful result. If using pre-ground Folgers, check if it’s suitable for your intended brewing method; if it’s a fine drip grind, you might need to adjust your process or accept a less-than-ideal outcome.

• Coffee-to-water ratio:
• This is one of the most important variables for taste. A common starting point for cold brew concentrate is a 1:4 ratio of coffee to water by weight (e.g., 1 pound of coffee to 4 pounds of water). For volume, this is roughly 1 cup of coffee to 4 cups of water.
• This ratio produces a concentrate that is then diluted with water or milk to taste. You can adjust this ratio – using less coffee for a weaker brew or more coffee for a stronger concentrate.

• Cleanliness/descale status:
• Any residual coffee oils or mineral buildup from previous brews can impart off-flavors to your cold brew. Ensure all brewing equipment, including jars, filters, and any dedicated cold brew makers, are thoroughly cleaned.
• If you use a machine or a French press, check its descaling status. Mineral buildup can affect water flow and taste. Regularly cleaning and descaling your equipment will contribute significantly to the purity of your cold brew flavor.

Step-by-step (brew workflow)

1. Measure your coffee beans:

• What to do: Weigh or measure your whole coffee beans (if grinding fresh) or pre-ground coffee. A good starting point is a 1:4 ratio of coffee to water by weight, or about 1 cup of coffee to 4 cups of water.
• What “good” looks like: You have the correct amount of coffee measured out for your desired batch size.
• Common mistake and how to avoid it: Using inconsistent measurements. Always use a scale for accuracy or consistent measuring cups to ensure repeatable results.

2. Grind your coffee (if using whole beans):

• What to do: Grind the coffee beans to a coarse consistency, resembling breadcrumbs or coarse sea salt.
• What “good” looks like: The grounds are visibly large and uniform.
• Common mistake and how to avoid it: Grinding too fine. This will lead to over-extraction, bitterness, and difficulty filtering. Use a burr grinder set to its coarsest setting if possible.

3. Prepare your brewing vessel:

• What to do: Ensure your chosen container (jar, pitcher, or dedicated maker) is clean and ready.
• What “good” looks like: The vessel is spotless, free from any old coffee residue or odors.
• Common mistake and how to avoid it: Using a dirty vessel. This will contaminate your cold brew with stale flavors. Always wash thoroughly after each use.

4. Add coffee grounds to the vessel:

• What to do: Place the coarse coffee grounds into your clean brewing vessel.
• What “good” looks like: All the coffee grounds are contained within the vessel.
• Common mistake and how to avoid it: Spilling grounds. Be careful when transferring grounds to avoid losing any coffee, which affects your ratio.

5. Add cool, filtered water:

• What to do: Pour cool, filtered water (around 65-75°F / 18-24°C) over the coffee grounds. Ensure all grounds are saturated.
• What “good” looks like: The water evenly wets all the coffee grounds, creating a slurry.
• Common mistake and how to avoid it: Using hot water. This will brew hot coffee, not cold brew. Stick to cool or room temperature water.

6. Stir gently to ensure saturation:

• What to do: Stir the mixture gently with a long spoon or paddle to make sure all the coffee grounds are submerged and evenly mixed with the water.
• What “good” looks like: There are no dry pockets of coffee grounds; everything is wet.
• Common mistake and how to avoid it: Over-stirring or stirring too vigorously. This can break down the grounds and lead to a muddier, more bitter brew. A gentle stir is sufficient.

7. Cover and steep:

• What to do: Cover the brewing vessel tightly with a lid or plastic wrap. Let it steep at room temperature or in the refrigerator for 12 to 24 hours.
• What “good” looks like: The vessel is sealed, and the coffee is left undisturbed to extract.
• Common mistake and how to avoid it: Leaving it uncovered. This can lead to oxidation and absorption of unwanted odors from the refrigerator.

8. Begin filtering:

• What to do: After steeping, prepare your filter. This might involve lining a fine-mesh sieve with cheesecloth, using a dedicated cold brew filter bag, or setting up your French press.
• What “good” looks like: Your filtering setup is ready and secure.
• Common mistake and how to avoid it: Using a filter that’s too fine for a large batch, or too coarse for good separation. Choose a filter appropriate for the volume and your desired clarity.

9. Filter the coffee concentrate:

• What to do: Slowly pour the steeped coffee mixture through your prepared filter into a clean container or pitcher. You may need to filter it multiple times for clarity.
• What “good” looks like: The liquid is separating from the grounds, and you’re collecting a dark, rich concentrate.
• Common mistake and how to avoid it: Pouring too quickly, which can force fine grounds through the filter, or over-filtering, which can introduce bitterness. Patience is key.

10. Discard or store grounds:

• What to do: Once filtered, carefully remove the wet coffee grounds. You can discard them or compost them.
• What “good” looks like: The grounds are fully removed from the liquid.
• Common mistake and how to avoid it: Leaving grounds in the concentrate. This will continue to extract and make the brew bitter.

11. Dilute and serve:

• What to do: The resulting liquid is a concentrate. Dilute it with water, milk, or ice to your preferred strength. A common starting point is a 1:1 ratio of concentrate to water/milk.
• What “good” looks like: You have a perfectly balanced, smooth, and refreshing cold brew drink.
• Common mistake and how to avoid it: Drinking the concentrate straight. It’s very strong and can be unpleasant. Always dilute to taste.

12. Store the concentrate:

• What to do: Pour the diluted cold brew into an airtight container and store it in the refrigerator.
• What “good” looks like: The cold brew is properly sealed and chilled, ready for future enjoyment.
• Common mistake and how to avoid it: Leaving it unrefrigerated or in an unsealed container. This can lead to spoilage and a loss of flavor.

Common mistakes (and what happens if you ignore them)

Decision rules (simple if/then)

• If your cold brew tastes too bitter, then you likely used too fine a grind or steeped for too long, because these factors lead to over-extraction.
• If your cold brew tastes weak or watery, then you may have used too little coffee, too much water, or not steeped long enough, because these result in under-extraction.
• If you notice sediment in your final cold brew, then your filter was likely too coarse or you poured too quickly, because finer particles passed through.
• If your cold brew has an unpleasant “old” taste, then your equipment was likely not clean enough or the coffee was stale, because residual oils or old grounds impart off-flavors.
• If you want a stronger concentrate, then increase the amount of coffee relative to water in your next batch, because more coffee means more dissolved solids.
• If you want a less intense flavor, then decrease the amount of coffee relative to water, or dilute the final concentrate more, because this reduces the coffee-to-water ratio.
• If you are brewing a large batch, then consider using a finer filter (like a paper filter over a sieve) after an initial coarse strain, because this will yield a cleaner cup with less sediment.
• If you are using pre-ground coffee, then ensure it’s a coarse grind if possible, or be prepared for a potentially different outcome than with whole beans, because grind size is critical for cold brew.
• If you are experiencing clogging during filtering, then you likely used too fine a grind, or your filter is too fine for the volume of coffee, because grounds are blocking the pores.
• If you want to experiment with different flavor profiles, then try varying the steep time between 12 and 24 hours, because extraction levels change significantly with time.
• If your cold brew smells musty, then it may have been left out too long at room temperature or was not properly stored in the refrigerator, because bacterial growth can occur.

FAQ

Can I use pre-ground Folgers coffee for cold brew?

Yes, you can use pre-ground Folgers. However, for the best results, a coarse grind is ideal for cold brew. If your pre-ground Folgers is a fine grind (like for drip coffee), you may experience over-extraction and difficulty filtering.

How long should I steep Folgers for cold brew?

A good starting point for steeping is 12 to 24 hours. Longer steeping times generally result in a stronger, more concentrated brew. You can experiment to find your preferred balance of flavor and strength.

What kind of water should I use for cold brew with Folgers?

Filtered water is highly recommended. Tap water can contain minerals or chlorine that can negatively affect the taste of your cold brew, even with a brand like Folgers.

Will using Folgers make my cold brew taste bad?

The taste of your cold brew depends on many factors, including grind size, water quality, and brew time, not just the brand of coffee. While Folgers might not produce the complex notes of specialty beans, you can still make a perfectly enjoyable cold brew by optimizing these other elements.

How do I dilute Folgers cold brew concentrate?

The concentrate made from Folgers should be diluted before drinking. A common ratio is 1:1 with water, milk, or a non-dairy alternative. Adjust this ratio to your personal taste preference.

Can I use a French press to make cold brew with Folgers?

Yes, a French press can be used. Add your coarse grounds and cool water, let it steep, and then press the plunger down slowly to separate the grounds. You may want to filter it a second time through a paper filter for a cleaner cup.

How long does cold brew made with Folgers last?

Cold brew concentrate, when stored properly in an airtight container in the refrigerator, typically lasts for about 1 to 2 weeks. For best flavor, it’s recommended to consume it within the first week.

What this page does NOT cover (and where to go next)

• Specific recommendations for optimal flavor profiles beyond basic extraction.
• Next: Explore different coffee bean origins and roast levels for cold brew.
• Detailed comparisons of specific cold brew maker models.
• Next: Research dedicated cold brew systems and their features.
• Advanced techniques like nitro cold brew infusion.
• Next: Investigate the equipment and processes for creating nitro cold brew.
• Recipes for cold brew-based coffee drinks beyond simple dilution.
• Next: Search for creative cold brew cocktail or dessert recipes.