Coffee in Focus: What Is Coffee Concentrate?

Simply put, coffee concentrate is the extremely potent extract of coffee from its grounds. The most common way to make it is through the cold brew method.

Just have your preferred amount of cold water and coffee grounds ready to go. Then, mix together in a French press or other container and leave in the fridge overnight. It’s incredibly simple and yields a versatile ingredient for all kinds of coffee beverages.

In this blog by Mystic Monk Coffee, we dive into everything you should know about coffee concentrate and offer handy tips and recommendations on the best ways to use it.

Why Coffee Concentrate Matters to Coffee Lovers

Coffee concentrate unlocks a whole new way to enjoy one of the world’s most favorite drinks. It can be used in many different coffee recipes.

Do you enjoy a simple hot coffee? Use coffee concentrate by simply mixing it with some hot water.

Want a refreshing, creamy caffeinated beverage on a brisk day? Blend chilled concentrate with some cold milk for an easy-made iced coffee.

By preparing your concentrated coffee in advance, you can quickly make nearly any coffee-based drink. Time to be your own at-home barista!

Origins of Coffee Concentrate

Coffee concentrate is essentially cold brew coffee — it just has to be diluted before you drink it. Therefore, the history of cold brew is interchangeable with that of coffee concentrate. In an article in the Tea & Coffee Trade Journal, Dr. Steffen Schwarz shares how cold brew dates back to the 1600s, when Dutch traders were traveling through Asia.

Even then, coffee lovers needed their daily cup, but traders couldn’t boil water on their ships. So, instead of brewing coffee the old-fashioned way, they steeped their grounds in cold water, producing a coffee concentrate.

Eventually, these innovative traders introduced this brewing method to the Japanese. It was then remembered as “Dutch coffee.” And after being refined by brewers in Kyoto, the “Kyoto style” of cold drip coffee was born, another one of the earliest cold brewing methods.

Cold brew stayed under the radar until the 1960s, when it was rediscovered and garnered some interest. But, it wasn’t until around 2010 that cold brew concentrated coffee began to trend. Numerous brands included it in their product lines, ultimately gaining mainstream attention.

And ever since, cold brew has been a hit. For some, it’s the only way they’ll take their coffee!

How to Make Coffee Concentrate at Home

Just as we mentioned at the start, making coffee concentrate at home is simple. Ground coffee, cold water, and a decent container to steep in the fridge.

But maybe you prefer an ultra coffee concentrate that has tons of caffeine. Or, you’re into flavored coffee concentrates that bring all your favorite tasting notes to life.

Here’s the essential guide to making coffee concentrate in your kitchen:

Step-by-Step Cold Brew Coffee Concentrate

What you need:

• Coarsely ground coffee, preferably made with medium or dark roast beans
• Cold water
• A French press, mason jar, glass pitcher, or any other clean container
• A coffee filter, cheesecloth, or paper towel
• A fine-mesh sieve

With these in hand, the next steps are easy:

1. Measure out your water and coffee. The right ratio of coffee to water is about one cup of coffee to four cups of water. Adjust according to your caffeine level preferences.
2. Mix your water and coffee together in your chosen container, stirring gently to ensure the grounds are evenly saturated.
3. Cover your mixture and let it steep in the fridge for approximately 12 to 24 hours.
4. Once fully steeped, pour your coffee mixture through your filter or cheesecloth, using a fine-mesh sieve to remove the grounds.
5. Keep your concentrate in a separate container. Note: Each batch stays fresh for up to two weeks in the fridge. You can also freeze the coffee concentrate to extend its shelf life.

Getting Quality Coffee Beans or Grounds With Mystic Monk Coffee

Make sure you use the best-quality coffee to make your concentrates. Mystic Monk Coffee offers a wide variety of freshly-roasted coffee beans and grounds. Our artisan monks dedicate themselves to crafting coffees with the richest flavors for your daily brew.

Here are some of our best coffees for making coffee concentrate:

Here’s one of the latest reviews for this coffee by Christopher S., a satisfied customer: “I’m a light roast fan, but Paradiso is a wonderful, rich medium roast, perfect for every morning.”

Prefer light to medium roasts? Browse our full coffee selection today.

Hot Beverages You Can Make With Coffee Concentrate

• Classic Cup of Joe – A simple mixture of hot water with equal or slightly less coffee concentrate, and you have a near-instant cup of coffee ready to help you tackle the day.
• High-Caffeine Hot Chocolate – Combine some milk or cream with chocolate or cocoa powder. Then, once you have a rich, chocolatey liquid, add a bit of your concentrated coffee for a slightly bitter, caffeinated kick.
• Café Au Lait – Take one part concentrate and mix with three parts steamed milk for a warm, creamy, and delicious treat that also serves as a nice boost of energy.

Cold Beverages You Can Make With Coffee Concentrate

• Iced Coffee (With Your Choice of Dairy) – Imagine if your daily fix of chilled brew was on tap. Simply mix your coffee concentrate with cold water, add a few ice cubes, and drizzle your choice of syrup or dairy.
• Cold Brew Soda – Mix a dash of concentrated coffee with six to eight ounces of sparkling water, and you have a bubbly, refreshing drink to cool you off on a hot day.
• Homemade Frappuccino – Get your blender, add some coffee concentrate, a cup of ice, some milk, and maybe a few tablespoons of your favorite flavored syrup. Blend together until smooth, and you have a delicious, chilled homemade frappé.

Skip the Coffee Shop & Enjoy Fresh Coffee From Mystic Monk Coffee

The world of coffee is becoming easier and bigger for everyone to explore. Coffee concentrates are just one of the latest trends, but also one of the best for their versatility and delicious flavor.

However, your concentrate is only as good as the quality of your coffee. Make sure you get the best by shopping at Mystic Monk Coffee. Our Carmelite monks are devoted coffee artisans, working tirelessly to roast and flavor only the highest quality beans from around the world.

Browse our wide range of flavors, blends, and roasts, and order your choice of beans or grounds. Plus, if you’re looking to save a bit and keep your favorite coffees coming, delivered right to your door, sign up for Mystic Monk Coffee’s subscription service today.