Cold Brew Steep Time Calculator

Standard cold brew steep time is 12-24 hours at room temperature. Shorter steeps (6-8h) produce lighter, fruitier notes. Longer steeps (18-24h) are more balanced. Extended steeps (24-48h) create stronger, more acidic concentrates. Refrigeration slows extraction - add 4-8 hours to each range. Always strain and store in refrigerator after steeping.

Cold brew needs coarse grind - like sea salt or raw sugar. Finer grinds over-extract and cause bitterness. The slow steeping process means fine grind extracts too much even in cold water. If your concentrate tastes bitter or muddy, grind coarser. If weak or sour, steep longer, not finer. A coarse grind steeps slower but produces cleaner concentrate.

Most coffee shops use 1:5 to 1:8 (coffee to water) for concentrate. For concentrate to dilute: 1:5 concentrate = 1 part concentrate to 4 parts water. For ready-to-drink: 1:15 to 1:17. Our calculator uses 1:7 as default. Adjust to taste - stronger preference = 1:5, lighter = 1:8. Remember: cold brew concentrates when diluted.

Cold brew bitter causes: too fine grind, steeping too long, or water too warm. Solutions: grind coarser, reduce steep time by 2-4 hours, ensure cold water (room temp or refrigerated). Also ensure you strain well - fine particles cause sediment and bitterness. If concentrate is too strong, dilute more when serving. Cold brew should be smooth and chocolatey, not bitter.