🕷️ Crawler Inspector

URL Lookup

Direct Parameter Lookup

Raw Queries and Responses

1. Shard Calculation

Query:

Response:

Calculated Shard: 144 (from laksa089)

2. Crawled Status Check

Query:

curl -X POST \
  'http://laksa144.int.ahrefs:8124/' \
  -H 'Content-Type: text/plain' \
  -H 'X-ClickHouse-Database: crawler3' \
  -H 'Authorization: Basic YXBpOg==' \
  -d 'SELECT getAhrefsURLFromUnparsed(src_unparsed) AS found_url, ifNull(toUnixTimestamp(download_stamp), 0) AS crawl_time, ifNull(toUnixTimestamp(props_url_first_seen), 0) AS first_indexed_time, download_http_code AS http_code, src_unparsed AS src_unparsed, src_root_hash AS src_root_hash, history_drop_reason AS history_drop_reason, meta_title AS meta_title, meta_descriptions AS meta_descriptions, attrs_boilerpipe_text AS attrs_boilerpipe_text, attrs_markdown AS attrs_markdown, attrs_readable_markdown AS attrs_readable_markdown, meta_canonical AS meta_canonical FROM crawler3.page_info_local FINAL PREWHERE (src_root_hash, src_unparsed) IN ((getAhrefsRootHashFromUnparsed(getAhrefsUnparsedNoserviceFromURL(\'https://www.bonappetit.com/test-kitchen/common-mistakes/article/cold-brew-coffee-common-mistakes\')), getAhrefsUnparsedNoserviceFromURL(\'https://www.bonappetit.com/test-kitchen/common-mistakes/article/cold-brew-coffee-common-mistakes\'))) FORMAT JSONEachRow'

Response:

{"found_url":"https:\/\/www.bonappetit.com\/test-kitchen\/common-mistakes\/article\/cold-brew-coffee-common-mistakes","crawl_time":1775931741,"first_indexed_time":1505415249,"http_code":200,"src_unparsed":"com,bonappetit!www,\/test-kitchen\/common-mistakes\/article\/cold-brew-coffee-common-mistakes s443","src_root_hash":"6389551939407734344","history_drop_reason":null,"meta_title":"How to Make Cold Brew Coffee | Bon Appétit","meta_descriptions":["How do you make cold brew coffee at home? It's not the same thing as pouring hot coffee over ice. Here are some common mistakes to avoid."],"attrs_boilerpipe_text":"All products featured on Bon Appétit are independently selected by our editors. However, we may receive compensation from retailers and\/or from purchases of products through these links.\nSay it with us, people:\nCold brew is not just hot coffee poured over ice.\nNo, the staggeringly expensive, shockingly strong iced coffee that runs through our veins all summer long is an entirely different beast, made by slow-steeping coffee beans before straining them out. The result is dark, intense, and can often be very bitter. Although it's not rocket science, figuring out\nhow to make cold brew at home\nis a little more complicated than pouring water over a batch of beans and forgetting about it. Avoid these common mistakes, and you'll have cold brew so good, you could charge $5 for a small.\n1. Using the\nGood\nBeans\nWhile we don't advocate using year-old beans from the sale rack at the grocery store, it would be a mistake to \"waste\" your super-fresh, super high-end, single-origin beans on cold brew. But how old is too old? \"You can can still get a quality batch of cold brew with beans that are several weeks old. I wouldn’t let them get too far out (as in months) or you will start to notice some pretty lifeless qualities but yes, the cold brew process is much more forgiving in regards to age of coffee,\" says\nMichael Phillips,\ndirector of training at\nBlue Bottle\n.\n2. Grinding the Beans Too Fine\nSome methods of brewing, like\npour-over\n, call for finely ground beans. But in cold brew, because you're steeping them for upwards of 12 hours, you should\ngrind the beans coarsely\n. Coffee that is too finely ground will \"over-extract,\" explains Phillips. Over-extracted (steeped for too long) coffee is bitter coffee, which no one wants (although it does explain a lot about some recent cups of cold brew we've had).\nMake cold brew, dilute it by half, add cream, enjoy.\nMichael Graydon + Nikole Herriott\n3. Using the Wrong Ratio\nThe basic formula for cold brew is\none pound of ground coffee beans to one gallon of water\n. Unless you're running a small café out of your kitchen (or just plan on being\nreally\nproductive), you likely won't need to make that much. A more home brewing-friendly ratio is a quarter-pound of beans to four cups of water. Scale down or drink up.\n4. Freaking Out about the Water Temperature\nEverybody just chill: Despite what you may have heard in the past, you can start the steeping process with whatever temperature your heart desires. Hot water kick-starts the brewing party, which is useful if you're in a hurry—say, if you're starting a batch at 10 p.m. and you'll need it at 6 the next morning. That said, explains Phillips, hot water might highlight different flavors in the coffee—which could make for a fun experiment, if you're the scientific method type. But if it's a classic, simple cup of cold brew you want, start with room-temperature water.\nBlue Bottle sells pre-diluted cold brew in cans, in case this is all just\ntoo much\nfor you.\nAubrie Pick\n5. Not Diluting the Concentrate\nThe standard time for steeping, says Phillips, is 24 hours. Be aware that will result in an intensely flavored (and caffeinated)\ncoffee concentrate\n. When you're ready to drink, dilute it with water (adding cream or alt-milks will also cut the intensity). When made according to the 1 pound:1 gallon ratio, your cold brew will contain roughly twice the amount of caffeine as hot drip coffee. Phillips suggests cutting that 50\/50 with water. Not only will that keep your caffeine consumption at bay, it will mitigate the bitterness.\n6. Storing it Too Long in the Fridge\nUnlike hot coffee, which is pretty much crap after a few hours, cold brew will keep in your fridge. As an undiluted concentrate, it'll keep for up to two weeks, although the flavor quality will degrade after the first week. If you've cut the concentrate with water, that shortens the shelf life to a mere 2-3 days.\nNow that you know how to make cold brew, try a shakerato:","attrs_markdown":"[Skip to main content](https:\/\/www.bonappetit.com\/test-kitchen\/common-mistakes\/article\/cold-brew-coffee-common-mistakes#main-content)\n\n[SUBSCRIBE](https:\/\/www.bonappetit.com\/v2\/offers\/baa01039?source=Site_0_JNY_BNA_DESKTOP_NAV_CTA_0_MARCH_2026_CTA_TEST_ZZ_PANELA)\n\n[SUBSCRIBE](https:\/\/www.bonappetit.com\/v2\/offers\/baa01039?source=Site_0_JNY_BNA_DESKTOP_NAV_CTA_0_MARCH_2026_CTA_TEST_ZZ_PANELA)\n\n[Newsletter](https:\/\/www.bonappetit.com\/newsletter?sourceCode=navbar)\n\n[Recipes](https:\/\/www.bonappetit.com\/recipes)\n\n[Drinks](https:\/\/www.bonappetit.com\/drinks)\n\n[Cooking](https:\/\/www.bonappetit.com\/cooking)\n\n[Shopping](https:\/\/www.bonappetit.com\/shopping)\n\n[Restaurants](https:\/\/www.bonappetit.com\/restaurants)\n\n[Culture](https:\/\/www.bonappetit.com\/culture)\n\n[Video](https:\/\/www.bonappetit.com\/video)\n\n[Sign In](https:\/\/www.bonappetit.com\/auth\/initiate?redirectURL=%2Ftest-kitchen%2Fcommon-mistakes%2Farticle%2Fcold-brew-coffee-common-mistakes&source=VERSO_NAVIGATION)\n\n[Recipes](https:\/\/www.bonappetit.com\/recipes)\n\n[Drinks](https:\/\/www.bonappetit.com\/drinks)\n\n[Cooking](https:\/\/www.bonappetit.com\/cooking)\n\n[Shopping](https:\/\/www.bonappetit.com\/shopping)\n\n[Restaurants](https:\/\/www.bonappetit.com\/restaurants%20)\n\n[Culture](https:\/\/www.bonappetit.com\/culture)\n\n[Video](https:\/\/www.bonappetit.com\/video)\n\n[Podcast](https:\/\/www.bonappetit.com\/podcast\/dinner-sos)\n\n[Merch](https:\/\/shop.bonappetit.com\/)\n\n[Culinary Getaways](https:\/\/www.bonappetit.com\/story\/culinary-getaways)\n\n[Bon Appétit Wine Shop](http:\/\/bonappetitwineshop.com\/)\n\n[Search](https:\/\/www.bonappetit.com\/search)\n\n[Sign In](https:\/\/www.bonappetit.com\/auth\/initiate?redirectURL=%2Ftest-kitchen%2Fcommon-mistakes%2Farticle%2Fcold-brew-coffee-common-mistakes&source=VERSO_NAVIGATION)\n\n[Newsletter](https:\/\/www.bonappetit.com\/newsletter?sourceCode=hamburgernav)\n\n[![WHERE FOOD \\<br\\> MEETS CULTURE \\<br\\> Expand your horizons with global flavours and vibrant ideas. Just \\<strong\\>\\$3\/month\\<\/strong\\> for 1 year. \\<br\\> CTA: SUBSCRIBE](https:\/\/assets.bonappetit.com\/photos\/695c2c994a6f2e333cbbbcc8\/original\/pass\/BA_Culture_Overlay_300x200_NFT_01a.gif?format=original)](https:\/\/www.bonappetit.com\/v2\/offers\/baa01039?source=Site_0_JNY_BNA_DESKTOP_NAV_ROLLOVER_0_MARCH_2026_CTA_TEST_ZZ_PANELA)\n\nGet one year of unlimited access for just ~~\\$6~~ \\$3\/month—cancel anytime. [GET DIGITAL ACCESS](https:\/\/www.bonappetit.com\/v2\/offers\/baa01039?source=Site_0_JNY_BNA_DESKTOP_PAYWALL_THIN_METER_ARTICLE_1_0_MARCH_2026_CTA_TEST_ZZ_PANELA)\n\n[techniques](https:\/\/www.bonappetit.com\/recipes\/techniques)\n\n# Cold Brew Common Mistakes *You* Would Never Make\n\nCold brew is not the same thing as pouring hot coffee over ice. Master the craft of perfect, rocket fuel-strength cold brew concentrate at home by avoiding these common blunders.\n\nBy [Rochelle Bilow](https:\/\/www.bonappetit.com\/contributor\/roc)\n\nJune 16, 2016\n\n![Image may contain Cream Food Dessert Ice Cream Creme Drink Soda Beverage Cocktail Alcohol Glass and Beer Glass](https:\/\/assets.bonappetit.com\/photos\/57af623053e63daf11a4e516\/16:9\/w_2560%2Cc_limit\/cold-brew-iced-coffee-concentrate.jpg)\n\nAll products featured on Bon Appétit are independently selected by our editors. However, we may receive compensation from retailers and\/or from purchases of products through these links.\n\nSay it with us, people: **Cold brew is not just hot coffee poured over ice.** No, the staggeringly expensive, shockingly strong iced coffee that runs through our veins all summer long is an entirely different beast, made by slow-steeping coffee beans before straining them out. The result is dark, intense, and can often be very bitter. Although it's not rocket science, figuring out [how to make cold brew at home](https:\/\/www.bonappetit.com\/recipe\/cold-brew-iced-coffee-concentrate) is a little more complicated than pouring water over a batch of beans and forgetting about it. Avoid these common mistakes, and you'll have cold brew so good, you could charge \\$5 for a small.\n\n## 1\\. Using the *Good* Beans\nWhile we don't advocate using year-old beans from the sale rack at the grocery store, it would be a mistake to \"waste\" your super-fresh, super high-end, single-origin beans on cold brew. But how old is too old? \"You can can still get a quality batch of cold brew with beans that are several weeks old. I wouldn’t let them get too far out (as in months) or you will start to notice some pretty lifeless qualities but yes, the cold brew process is much more forgiving in regards to age of coffee,\" says **Michael Phillips,** director of training at [Blue Bottle](https:\/\/bluebottlecoffee.com\/).\n\n## 2\\. Grinding the Beans Too Fine\nSome methods of brewing, like [pour-over](https:\/\/www.bonappetit.com\/drinks\/non-alcoholic\/article\/how-to-chemex), call for finely ground beans. But in cold brew, because you're steeping them for upwards of 12 hours, you should **grind the beans coarsely**. Coffee that is too finely ground will \"over-extract,\" explains Phillips. Over-extracted (steeped for too long) coffee is bitter coffee, which no one wants (although it does explain a lot about some recent cups of cold brew we've had).\n\n![Dublin iced coffee with cream served in a tall glass](https:\/\/assets.bonappetit.com\/photos\/57ad43f91b3340441497558f\/master\/w_1600%2Cc_limit\/dublin-iced-coffee.jpg)\n\nMake cold brew, dilute it by half, add cream, enjoy.\n\nMichael Graydon + Nikole Herriott\n## 3\\. Using the Wrong Ratio\nThe basic formula for cold brew is **one pound of ground coffee beans to one gallon of water**. Unless you're running a small café out of your kitchen (or just plan on being *really* productive), you likely won't need to make that much. A more home brewing-friendly ratio is a quarter-pound of beans to four cups of water. Scale down or drink up.\n\n## 4\\. Freaking Out about the Water Temperature\nEverybody just chill: Despite what you may have heard in the past, you can start the steeping process with whatever temperature your heart desires. Hot water kick-starts the brewing party, which is useful if you're in a hurry—say, if you're starting a batch at 10 p.m. and you'll need it at 6 the next morning. That said, explains Phillips, hot water might highlight different flavors in the coffee—which could make for a fun experiment, if you're the scientific method type. But if it's a classic, simple cup of cold brew you want, start with room-temperature water.\n\n![Image may contain Drink and Beverage](https:\/\/assets.bonappetit.com\/photos\/57bf26e16a6acdf3485df5c7\/master\/w_1600%2Cc_limit\/blue-bottle-cold-brew.jpg)\n\nBlue Bottle sells pre-diluted cold brew in cans, in case this is all just *too much* for you.\n\nAubrie Pick\n## 5\\. Not Diluting the Concentrate\nThe standard time for steeping, says Phillips, is 24 hours. Be aware that will result in an intensely flavored (and caffeinated) [coffee concentrate](https:\/\/www.bonappetit.com\/recipe\/cold-brew-iced-coffee-concentrate). When you're ready to drink, dilute it with water (adding cream or alt-milks will also cut the intensity). When made according to the 1 pound:1 gallon ratio, your cold brew will contain roughly twice the amount of caffeine as hot drip coffee. Phillips suggests cutting that 50\/50 with water. Not only will that keep your caffeine consumption at bay, it will mitigate the bitterness.\n\n## 6\\. Storing it Too Long in the Fridge\nUnlike hot coffee, which is pretty much crap after a few hours, cold brew will keep in your fridge. As an undiluted concentrate, it'll keep for up to two weeks, although the flavor quality will degrade after the first week. If you've cut the concentrate with water, that shortens the shelf life to a mere 2-3 days.\n\n## Now that you know how to make cold brew, try a shakerato:\n\n**Senior Associate Web Editor**. When she’s not torturing herself by grinding coffee beans by hand and making her own butter, Rochelle writes about cooking techniques and seasonal eating for bonappetit.com. She comes to *BA* by way of a small farm in Central New York, where she worked as a farmhand ... [Read More](https:\/\/www.bonappetit.com\/contributor\/roc)\n\nExplore Bon Appétit[Coffee](https:\/\/www.bonappetit.com\/ingredient\/coffee)[cold brew](https:\/\/www.bonappetit.com\/misc\/cold-brew)[Common Mistakes](https:\/\/www.bonappetit.com\/misc\/common-mistakes)\n\n### The best of BA in your inbox every day\nRecipes to cook, products to add to your kitchen, and stories to bookmark for your lunch break.\n\nRead More\n\n- [![This Very Cool Coffee Liqueur Means We Can Drink White Russians Again](https:\/\/assets.bonappetit.com\/photos\/5a7b208990d4774dee97664c\/1:1\/w_640%2Cc_limit\/mrblackcoldbrew2.jpeg)Culture This Very Cool Coffee Liqueur Means We Can Drink White Russians Again By Aliza Abarbanel](https:\/\/www.bonappetit.com\/story\/mr-black-coffee-liqueur)\n- [![This Coffee Mai Tai Is the Cold Brew Cocktail You Need](https:\/\/assets.bonappetit.com\/photos\/59baee861a02342849ac6ad8\/1:1\/w_640%2Cc_limit\/VHH-foods-mai-tai.jpg)Shopping This Coffee Mai Tai Is the Cold Brew Cocktail You Need By Alyse Whitney](https:\/\/www.bonappetit.com\/story\/coffee-mai-tai-cold-brew-cocktail)\n- [![This Coffee Soda Is the Summer's Official Caffeine Boost](https:\/\/assets.bonappetit.com\/photos\/595fce9d51b3be287d781428\/1:1\/w_640%2Cc_limit\/Unknown%25201.31.10%2520PM.jpeg)Culture This Coffee Soda Is the Summer's Official Caffeine Boost By Alex Delany](https:\/\/www.bonappetit.com\/story\/keepers-citrus-coffee-soda-review)\n- [![Slice Your Loaf Cake Before You Bake It](https:\/\/assets.bonappetit.com\/photos\/698a4c2c7c83caad4ecc26ee\/1:1\/w_640%2Cc_limit\/undefined)Cooking Slice Your Loaf Cake Before You Bake It By Jesse Szewczyk](https:\/\/www.bonappetit.com\/story\/slit-cake-batter#intcid=recommendations_bon-appetit-article-bottom-recirc-recsys_4de17638-301b-48a4-9149-a54fda963f80_roberta-similarity1_roberta-similarity_mongo_bucket)\n- [![6 New Snacks We’ll Be Eating All April](https:\/\/assets.bonappetit.com\/photos\/69cbfd5650d363630aaa4d39\/1:1\/w_640%2Cc_limit\/undefined)Shopping 6 New Snacks We’ll Be Eating All April By Alaina Chou](https:\/\/www.bonappetit.com\/story\/snack-drop-april-2026#intcid=recommendations_bon-appetit-article-bottom-recirc-recsys_4de17638-301b-48a4-9149-a54fda963f80_roberta-similarity1_roberta-similarity_mongo_bucket)\n- [![This Bone Broth Soup Is a Meal, Not a Cleanse](https:\/\/assets.bonappetit.com\/photos\/69bc1dca9bd65664fc6d3749\/1:1\/w_640%2Cc_limit\/undefined)Cooking This Bone Broth Soup Is a Meal, Not a Cleanse By Rebecca Firkser](https:\/\/www.bonappetit.com\/story\/good-for-you-bone-broth#intcid=recommendations_bon-appetit-article-bottom-recirc-recsys_4de17638-301b-48a4-9149-a54fda963f80_roberta-similarity1_roberta-similarity_mongo_bucket)\n- [![Here’s How to Submit to BA’s Pantry Awards for 2026](https:\/\/assets.bonappetit.com\/photos\/5d93b415331fc40008af7c55\/1:1\/w_640%2Cc_limit\/undefined)Shopping Here’s How to Submit to BA’s Pantry Awards for 2026 By Editors of Bon Appétit](https:\/\/www.bonappetit.com\/story\/pantry-awards-2026-submissions#intcid=recommendations_bon-appetit-article-bottom-recirc-recsys_4de17638-301b-48a4-9149-a54fda963f80_roberta-similarity1_roberta-similarity_mongo_bucket)\n- [![Does Flour Go Bad? How to Tell If It’s Still Good](https:\/\/assets.bonappetit.com\/photos\/698a5ae4f15840c201467182\/1:1\/w_640%2Cc_limit\/undefined)Cooking Does Flour Go Bad? How to Tell If It’s Still Good By Hannah Lee Leidy](https:\/\/www.bonappetit.com\/story\/does-flour-go-bad-article#intcid=recommendations_bon-appetit-article-bottom-recirc-recsys_4de17638-301b-48a4-9149-a54fda963f80_roberta-similarity1_roberta-similarity_mongo_bucket)\n- [![WTF Is a Weeknight Recipe?](https:\/\/assets.bonappetit.com\/photos\/699cc5969998ae992d9afcec\/1:1\/w_640%2Cc_limit\/undefined)Cooking WTF Is a Weeknight Recipe? By Chris Morocco](https:\/\/www.bonappetit.com\/story\/what-is-a-weeknight-recipe#intcid=recommendations_bon-appetit-article-bottom-recirc-recsys_4de17638-301b-48a4-9149-a54fda963f80_roberta-similarity1_roberta-similarity_mongo_bucket)\n- [![Almond Extract Can Make or Break Your Dessert](https:\/\/assets.bonappetit.com\/photos\/691fb4c136f149fc4a857ac4\/1:1\/w_640%2Cc_limit\/undefined)Cooking Almond Extract Can Make or Break Your Dessert By Emily Saladino](https:\/\/www.bonappetit.com\/story\/what-is-almond-extract-article#intcid=recommendations_bon-appetit-article-bottom-recirc-recsys_4de17638-301b-48a4-9149-a54fda963f80_roberta-similarity1_roberta-similarity_mongo_bucket)\n- [![We’re Going to Stop Trying to Make ‘Allium’ Happen](https:\/\/assets.bonappetit.com\/photos\/69ce9afbf38396776a5176e6\/1:1\/w_640%2Cc_limit\/undefined)Cooking We’re Going to Stop Trying to Make ‘Allium’ Happen By Chris Morocco](https:\/\/www.bonappetit.com\/story\/alliums-word-from-the-test-kitchen#intcid=recommendations_bon-appetit-article-bottom-recirc-recsys_4de17638-301b-48a4-9149-a54fda963f80_roberta-similarity1_roberta-similarity_mongo_bucket)\n- [![Chocolate\\&\\#8211;Olive Oil Cake and More Recipes We Made This Week](https:\/\/assets.bonappetit.com\/photos\/670d76248a85cd32aaa33570\/1:1\/w_640%2Cc_limit\/undefined)Cooking Chocolate–Olive Oil Cake and More Recipes We Made This Week By The Bon Appétit Staff](https:\/\/www.bonappetit.com\/story\/recipes-bon-appetit-editors-cooked-march-2026#intcid=recommendations_bon-appetit-article-bottom-recirc-recsys_4de17638-301b-48a4-9149-a54fda963f80_roberta-similarity1_roberta-similarity_mongo_bucket)\n\n[![WHERE FOOD \\<br\\> MEETS CULTURE \\<br\\> Expand your horizons with global flavours and vibrant ideas. Just \\<strong\\>\\$3\/month\\<\/strong\\> for 1 year. \\<br\\> CTA:SUBSCRIBE](https:\/\/assets.bonappetit.com\/photos\/695c2cafbe7cc209e2027f5a\/original\/pass\/BA_Culture_Desktop_940x140_NFT_01a.gif?format=original)](https:\/\/www.bonappetit.com\/v2\/offers\/baa01039?source=Site_0_JNY_BNA_DESKTOP_FOOTER_0_MARCH_2026_CTA_TEST_ZZ_PANELA)\n\n[![Bon Appétit](https:\/\/www.bonappetit.com\/verso\/static\/bonappetit-us\/assets\/logo-reverse.svg)](https:\/\/www.bonappetit.com\/)\n\nRecipes you want to make. Cooking advice that works. Restaurant recommendations you trust.\n\nMore from Bon Appétit\n\n- [ABOUT US](https:\/\/www.bonappetit.com\/story\/about-us)\n- [Masthead](https:\/\/www.bonappetit.com\/story\/digital-masthead)\n- [Newsletter Signup](https:\/\/www.bonappetit.com\/newsletter)\n- [Bon Appétit Media Kit](http:\/\/www.condenast.com\/brands\/bon-appetit\/)\n- [EPICURIOUS](https:\/\/www.epicurious.com\/)\n- [Find Us on the Epicurious App](https:\/\/apps.apple.com\/app\/apple-store\/id312101965?pt=45076&ct=BA_Site_Footer&mt=8)\n- [Archive](https:\/\/archive.bonappetit.com\/)\n- [Subscribe](https:\/\/www.bonappetit.com\/subscribe)\n\nContact\n\n- [Subscription FAQs](https:\/\/www.bonappetit.com\/story\/subscription-faq)\n- [Manage Account](https:\/\/www.bonappetit.com\/account\/profile)\n- [Careers](https:\/\/www.condenast.com\/careers\/)\n- [Contact Us](https:\/\/www.bonappetit.com\/info\/contact-us)\n\n- [User Agreement](https:\/\/www.condenast.com\/user-agreement\/)\n- [Privacy Policy](http:\/\/www.condenast.com\/privacy-policy#privacypolicy)\n- [Your California Privacy Rights](http:\/\/www.condenast.com\/privacy-policy#privacypolicy-california)\n- [RSS Feeds](https:\/\/www.bonappetit.com\/rss-feeds)\n- [Site Map](https:\/\/www.bonappetit.com\/sitemap)\n- [Accessibility Help](https:\/\/www.bonappetit.com\/story\/accessibility-help)\n- [Condé Nast Store](https:\/\/www.condenaststore.com\/)\n- Your Privacy Choices\n\n© 2026 Condé Nast. All rights reserved. *Bon Appétit* may earn a portion of sales from products that are purchased through our site as part of our Affiliate Partnerships with retailers. The material on this site may not be reproduced, distributed, transmitted, cached or otherwise used, except with the prior written permission of Condé Nast. [Ad Choices](http:\/\/www.aboutads.info\/)\n\nFood Innovation Group","attrs_readable_markdown":"All products featured on Bon Appétit are independently selected by our editors. However, we may receive compensation from retailers and\/or from purchases of products through these links.\n\nSay it with us, people: **Cold brew is not just hot coffee poured over ice.** No, the staggeringly expensive, shockingly strong iced coffee that runs through our veins all summer long is an entirely different beast, made by slow-steeping coffee beans before straining them out. The result is dark, intense, and can often be very bitter. Although it's not rocket science, figuring out [how to make cold brew at home](https:\/\/www.bonappetit.com\/recipe\/cold-brew-iced-coffee-concentrate) is a little more complicated than pouring water over a batch of beans and forgetting about it. Avoid these common mistakes, and you'll have cold brew so good, you could charge \\$5 for a small.\n\n## 1\\. Using the *Good* Beans\nWhile we don't advocate using year-old beans from the sale rack at the grocery store, it would be a mistake to \"waste\" your super-fresh, super high-end, single-origin beans on cold brew. But how old is too old? \"You can can still get a quality batch of cold brew with beans that are several weeks old. I wouldn’t let them get too far out (as in months) or you will start to notice some pretty lifeless qualities but yes, the cold brew process is much more forgiving in regards to age of coffee,\" says **Michael Phillips,** director of training at [Blue Bottle](https:\/\/bluebottlecoffee.com\/).\n\n## 2\\. Grinding the Beans Too Fine\nSome methods of brewing, like [pour-over](https:\/\/www.bonappetit.com\/drinks\/non-alcoholic\/article\/how-to-chemex), call for finely ground beans. But in cold brew, because you're steeping them for upwards of 12 hours, you should **grind the beans coarsely**. Coffee that is too finely ground will \"over-extract,\" explains Phillips. Over-extracted (steeped for too long) coffee is bitter coffee, which no one wants (although it does explain a lot about some recent cups of cold brew we've had).\n\n![Dublin iced coffee with cream served in a tall glass](https:\/\/assets.bonappetit.com\/photos\/57ad43f91b3340441497558f\/master\/w_1600%2Cc_limit\/dublin-iced-coffee.jpg)\n\nMake cold brew, dilute it by half, add cream, enjoy.Michael Graydon + Nikole Herriott\n## 3\\. Using the Wrong Ratio\nThe basic formula for cold brew is **one pound of ground coffee beans to one gallon of water**. Unless you're running a small café out of your kitchen (or just plan on being *really* productive), you likely won't need to make that much. A more home brewing-friendly ratio is a quarter-pound of beans to four cups of water. Scale down or drink up.\n\n## 4\\. Freaking Out about the Water Temperature\nEverybody just chill: Despite what you may have heard in the past, you can start the steeping process with whatever temperature your heart desires. Hot water kick-starts the brewing party, which is useful if you're in a hurry—say, if you're starting a batch at 10 p.m. and you'll need it at 6 the next morning. That said, explains Phillips, hot water might highlight different flavors in the coffee—which could make for a fun experiment, if you're the scientific method type. But if it's a classic, simple cup of cold brew you want, start with room-temperature water.\n\n![Image may contain Drink and Beverage](https:\/\/assets.bonappetit.com\/photos\/57bf26e16a6acdf3485df5c7\/master\/w_1600%2Cc_limit\/blue-bottle-cold-brew.jpg)\n\nBlue Bottle sells pre-diluted cold brew in cans, in case this is all just *too much* for you.Aubrie Pick\n## 5\\. Not Diluting the Concentrate\nThe standard time for steeping, says Phillips, is 24 hours. Be aware that will result in an intensely flavored (and caffeinated) [coffee concentrate](https:\/\/www.bonappetit.com\/recipe\/cold-brew-iced-coffee-concentrate). When you're ready to drink, dilute it with water (adding cream or alt-milks will also cut the intensity). When made according to the 1 pound:1 gallon ratio, your cold brew will contain roughly twice the amount of caffeine as hot drip coffee. Phillips suggests cutting that 50\/50 with water. Not only will that keep your caffeine consumption at bay, it will mitigate the bitterness.\n\n## 6\\. Storing it Too Long in the Fridge\nUnlike hot coffee, which is pretty much crap after a few hours, cold brew will keep in your fridge. As an undiluted concentrate, it'll keep for up to two weeks, although the flavor quality will degrade after the first week. If you've cut the concentrate with water, that shortens the shelf life to a mere 2-3 days.\n\n## Now that you know how to make cold brew, try a shakerato:","meta_canonical":null}

3. Robots.txt Check

Query:

Response:

4. Spam/Ban Check

Query:

Response:

5. Seen Status Check

ℹ️ Skipped - page is already crawled

📄

INDEXABLE

✅

CRAWLED

1 day ago

🤖

ROBOTS ALLOWED

Page Info Filters

Filter	Status	Condition	Details
HTTP status	PASS	`download_http_code = 200`	HTTP 200
Age cutoff	PASS	`download_stamp > now() - 6 MONTH`	0 months ago
History drop	PASS	`isNull(history_drop_reason)`	No drop reason
Spam/ban	PASS	`fh_dont_index != 1 AND ml_spam_score = 0`	ml_spam_score=0
Canonical	PASS	`meta_canonical IS NULL OR = '' OR = src_unparsed`	Not set

Page Details

Property	Value
URL	https://www.bonappetit.com/test-kitchen/common-mistakes/article/cold-brew-coffee-common-mistakes
Last Crawled	2026-04-11 18:22:21 (1 day ago)
First Indexed	2017-09-14 18:54:09 (8 years ago)
HTTP Status Code	200
Meta Title	How to Make Cold Brew Coffee \| Bon Appétit
Meta Description	How do you make cold brew coffee at home? It's not the same thing as pouring hot coffee over ice. Here are some common mistakes to avoid.
Meta Canonical	null
Boilerpipe Text	All products featured on Bon Appétit are independently selected by our editors. However, we may receive compensation from retailers and/or from purchases of products through these links. Say it with us, people: Cold brew is not just hot coffee poured over ice. No, the staggeringly expensive, shockingly strong iced coffee that runs through our veins all summer long is an entirely different beast, made by slow-steeping coffee beans before straining them out. The result is dark, intense, and can often be very bitter. Although it's not rocket science, figuring out how to make cold brew at home is a little more complicated than pouring water over a batch of beans and forgetting about it. Avoid these common mistakes, and you'll have cold brew so good, you could charge $5 for a small. 1. Using the Good Beans While we don't advocate using year-old beans from the sale rack at the grocery store, it would be a mistake to "waste" your super-fresh, super high-end, single-origin beans on cold brew. But how old is too old? "You can can still get a quality batch of cold brew with beans that are several weeks old. I wouldn’t let them get too far out (as in months) or you will start to notice some pretty lifeless qualities but yes, the cold brew process is much more forgiving in regards to age of coffee," says Michael Phillips, director of training at Blue Bottle . 2. Grinding the Beans Too Fine Some methods of brewing, like pour-over , call for finely ground beans. But in cold brew, because you're steeping them for upwards of 12 hours, you should grind the beans coarsely . Coffee that is too finely ground will "over-extract," explains Phillips. Over-extracted (steeped for too long) coffee is bitter coffee, which no one wants (although it does explain a lot about some recent cups of cold brew we've had). Make cold brew, dilute it by half, add cream, enjoy. Michael Graydon + Nikole Herriott 3. Using the Wrong Ratio The basic formula for cold brew is one pound of ground coffee beans to one gallon of water . Unless you're running a small café out of your kitchen (or just plan on being really productive), you likely won't need to make that much. A more home brewing-friendly ratio is a quarter-pound of beans to four cups of water. Scale down or drink up. 4. Freaking Out about the Water Temperature Everybody just chill: Despite what you may have heard in the past, you can start the steeping process with whatever temperature your heart desires. Hot water kick-starts the brewing party, which is useful if you're in a hurry—say, if you're starting a batch at 10 p.m. and you'll need it at 6 the next morning. That said, explains Phillips, hot water might highlight different flavors in the coffee—which could make for a fun experiment, if you're the scientific method type. But if it's a classic, simple cup of cold brew you want, start with room-temperature water. Blue Bottle sells pre-diluted cold brew in cans, in case this is all just too much for you. Aubrie Pick 5. Not Diluting the Concentrate The standard time for steeping, says Phillips, is 24 hours. Be aware that will result in an intensely flavored (and caffeinated) coffee concentrate . When you're ready to drink, dilute it with water (adding cream or alt-milks will also cut the intensity). When made according to the 1 pound:1 gallon ratio, your cold brew will contain roughly twice the amount of caffeine as hot drip coffee. Phillips suggests cutting that 50/50 with water. Not only will that keep your caffeine consumption at bay, it will mitigate the bitterness. 6. Storing it Too Long in the Fridge Unlike hot coffee, which is pretty much crap after a few hours, cold brew will keep in your fridge. As an undiluted concentrate, it'll keep for up to two weeks, although the flavor quality will degrade after the first week. If you've cut the concentrate with water, that shortens the shelf life to a mere 2-3 days. Now that you know how to make cold brew, try a shakerato:
Markdown	[Skip to main content](https://www.bonappetit.com/test-kitchen/common-mistakes/article/cold-brew-coffee-common-mistakes#main-content) [SUBSCRIBE](https://www.bonappetit.com/v2/offers/baa01039?source=Site_0_JNY_BNA_DESKTOP_NAV_CTA_0_MARCH_2026_CTA_TEST_ZZ_PANELA) [SUBSCRIBE](https://www.bonappetit.com/v2/offers/baa01039?source=Site_0_JNY_BNA_DESKTOP_NAV_CTA_0_MARCH_2026_CTA_TEST_ZZ_PANELA) [Newsletter](https://www.bonappetit.com/newsletter?sourceCode=navbar) [Recipes](https://www.bonappetit.com/recipes) [Drinks](https://www.bonappetit.com/drinks) [Cooking](https://www.bonappetit.com/cooking) [Shopping](https://www.bonappetit.com/shopping) [Restaurants](https://www.bonappetit.com/restaurants) [Culture](https://www.bonappetit.com/culture) [Video](https://www.bonappetit.com/video) [Sign In](https://www.bonappetit.com/auth/initiate?redirectURL=%2Ftest-kitchen%2Fcommon-mistakes%2Farticle%2Fcold-brew-coffee-common-mistakes&source=VERSO_NAVIGATION) [Recipes](https://www.bonappetit.com/recipes) [Drinks](https://www.bonappetit.com/drinks) [Cooking](https://www.bonappetit.com/cooking) [Shopping](https://www.bonappetit.com/shopping) [Restaurants](https://www.bonappetit.com/restaurants%20) [Culture](https://www.bonappetit.com/culture) [Video](https://www.bonappetit.com/video) [Podcast](https://www.bonappetit.com/podcast/dinner-sos) [Merch](https://shop.bonappetit.com/) [Culinary Getaways](https://www.bonappetit.com/story/culinary-getaways) [Bon Appétit Wine Shop](http://bonappetitwineshop.com/) [Search](https://www.bonappetit.com/search) [Sign In](https://www.bonappetit.com/auth/initiate?redirectURL=%2Ftest-kitchen%2Fcommon-mistakes%2Farticle%2Fcold-brew-coffee-common-mistakes&source=VERSO_NAVIGATION) [Newsletter](https://www.bonappetit.com/newsletter?sourceCode=hamburgernav) [![WHERE FOOD \<br\> MEETS CULTURE \<br\> Expand your horizons with global flavours and vibrant ideas. Just \<strong\>\$3/month\</strong\> for 1 year. \<br\> CTA: SUBSCRIBE](https://assets.bonappetit.com/photos/695c2c994a6f2e333cbbbcc8/original/pass/BA_Culture_Overlay_300x200_NFT_01a.gif?format=original)](https://www.bonappetit.com/v2/offers/baa01039?source=Site_0_JNY_BNA_DESKTOP_NAV_ROLLOVER_0_MARCH_2026_CTA_TEST_ZZ_PANELA) Get one year of unlimited access for just ~~\$6~~ \$3/month—cancel anytime. [GET DIGITAL ACCESS](https://www.bonappetit.com/v2/offers/baa01039?source=Site_0_JNY_BNA_DESKTOP_PAYWALL_THIN_METER_ARTICLE_1_0_MARCH_2026_CTA_TEST_ZZ_PANELA) [techniques](https://www.bonappetit.com/recipes/techniques) # Cold Brew Common Mistakes You Would Never Make Cold brew is not the same thing as pouring hot coffee over ice. Master the craft of perfect, rocket fuel-strength cold brew concentrate at home by avoiding these common blunders. By [Rochelle Bilow](https://www.bonappetit.com/contributor/roc) June 16, 2016 ![Image may contain Cream Food Dessert Ice Cream Creme Drink Soda Beverage Cocktail Alcohol Glass and Beer Glass](https://assets.bonappetit.com/photos/57af623053e63daf11a4e516/16:9/w_2560%2Cc_limit/cold-brew-iced-coffee-concentrate.jpg) All products featured on Bon Appétit are independently selected by our editors. However, we may receive compensation from retailers and/or from purchases of products through these links. Say it with us, people: Cold brew is not just hot coffee poured over ice. No, the staggeringly expensive, shockingly strong iced coffee that runs through our veins all summer long is an entirely different beast, made by slow-steeping coffee beans before straining them out. The result is dark, intense, and can often be very bitter. Although it's not rocket science, figuring out [how to make cold brew at home](https://www.bonappetit.com/recipe/cold-brew-iced-coffee-concentrate) is a little more complicated than pouring water over a batch of beans and forgetting about it. Avoid these common mistakes, and you'll have cold brew so good, you could charge \$5 for a small. ## 1\. Using the Good Beans While we don't advocate using year-old beans from the sale rack at the grocery store, it would be a mistake to "waste" your super-fresh, super high-end, single-origin beans on cold brew. But how old is too old? "You can can still get a quality batch of cold brew with beans that are several weeks old. I wouldn’t let them get too far out (as in months) or you will start to notice some pretty lifeless qualities but yes, the cold brew process is much more forgiving in regards to age of coffee," says Michael Phillips, director of training at [Blue Bottle](https://bluebottlecoffee.com/). ## 2\. Grinding the Beans Too Fine Some methods of brewing, like [pour-over](https://www.bonappetit.com/drinks/non-alcoholic/article/how-to-chemex), call for finely ground beans. But in cold brew, because you're steeping them for upwards of 12 hours, you should grind the beans coarsely. Coffee that is too finely ground will "over-extract," explains Phillips. Over-extracted (steeped for too long) coffee is bitter coffee, which no one wants (although it does explain a lot about some recent cups of cold brew we've had). ![Dublin iced coffee with cream served in a tall glass](https://assets.bonappetit.com/photos/57ad43f91b3340441497558f/master/w_1600%2Cc_limit/dublin-iced-coffee.jpg) Make cold brew, dilute it by half, add cream, enjoy. Michael Graydon + Nikole Herriott ## 3\. Using the Wrong Ratio The basic formula for cold brew is one pound of ground coffee beans to one gallon of water. Unless you're running a small café out of your kitchen (or just plan on being really productive), you likely won't need to make that much. A more home brewing-friendly ratio is a quarter-pound of beans to four cups of water. Scale down or drink up. ## 4\. Freaking Out about the Water Temperature Everybody just chill: Despite what you may have heard in the past, you can start the steeping process with whatever temperature your heart desires. Hot water kick-starts the brewing party, which is useful if you're in a hurry—say, if you're starting a batch at 10 p.m. and you'll need it at 6 the next morning. That said, explains Phillips, hot water might highlight different flavors in the coffee—which could make for a fun experiment, if you're the scientific method type. But if it's a classic, simple cup of cold brew you want, start with room-temperature water. ![Image may contain Drink and Beverage](https://assets.bonappetit.com/photos/57bf26e16a6acdf3485df5c7/master/w_1600%2Cc_limit/blue-bottle-cold-brew.jpg) Blue Bottle sells pre-diluted cold brew in cans, in case this is all just too much for you. Aubrie Pick ## 5\. Not Diluting the Concentrate The standard time for steeping, says Phillips, is 24 hours. Be aware that will result in an intensely flavored (and caffeinated) [coffee concentrate](https://www.bonappetit.com/recipe/cold-brew-iced-coffee-concentrate). When you're ready to drink, dilute it with water (adding cream or alt-milks will also cut the intensity). When made according to the 1 pound:1 gallon ratio, your cold brew will contain roughly twice the amount of caffeine as hot drip coffee. Phillips suggests cutting that 50/50 with water. Not only will that keep your caffeine consumption at bay, it will mitigate the bitterness. ## 6\. Storing it Too Long in the Fridge Unlike hot coffee, which is pretty much crap after a few hours, cold brew will keep in your fridge. As an undiluted concentrate, it'll keep for up to two weeks, although the flavor quality will degrade after the first week. If you've cut the concentrate with water, that shortens the shelf life to a mere 2-3 days. ## Now that you know how to make cold brew, try a shakerato: Senior Associate Web Editor. When she’s not torturing herself by grinding coffee beans by hand and making her own butter, Rochelle writes about cooking techniques and seasonal eating for bonappetit.com. She comes to BA by way of a small farm in Central New York, where she worked as a farmhand ... [Read More](https://www.bonappetit.com/contributor/roc) Explore Bon Appétit[Coffee](https://www.bonappetit.com/ingredient/coffee)[cold brew](https://www.bonappetit.com/misc/cold-brew)[Common Mistakes](https://www.bonappetit.com/misc/common-mistakes) ### The best of BA in your inbox every day Recipes to cook, products to add to your kitchen, and stories to bookmark for your lunch break. Read More - [![This Very Cool Coffee Liqueur Means We Can Drink White Russians Again](https://assets.bonappetit.com/photos/5a7b208990d4774dee97664c/1:1/w_640%2Cc_limit/mrblackcoldbrew2.jpeg)Culture This Very Cool Coffee Liqueur Means We Can Drink White Russians Again By Aliza Abarbanel](https://www.bonappetit.com/story/mr-black-coffee-liqueur) - [![This Coffee Mai Tai Is the Cold Brew Cocktail You Need](https://assets.bonappetit.com/photos/59baee861a02342849ac6ad8/1:1/w_640%2Cc_limit/VHH-foods-mai-tai.jpg)Shopping This Coffee Mai Tai Is the Cold Brew Cocktail You Need By Alyse Whitney](https://www.bonappetit.com/story/coffee-mai-tai-cold-brew-cocktail) - [![This Coffee Soda Is the Summer's Official Caffeine Boost](https://assets.bonappetit.com/photos/595fce9d51b3be287d781428/1:1/w_640%2Cc_limit/Unknown%25201.31.10%2520PM.jpeg)Culture This Coffee Soda Is the Summer's Official Caffeine Boost By Alex Delany](https://www.bonappetit.com/story/keepers-citrus-coffee-soda-review) - [![Slice Your Loaf Cake Before You Bake It](https://assets.bonappetit.com/photos/698a4c2c7c83caad4ecc26ee/1:1/w_640%2Cc_limit/undefined)Cooking Slice Your Loaf Cake Before You Bake It By Jesse Szewczyk](https://www.bonappetit.com/story/slit-cake-batter#intcid=recommendations_bon-appetit-article-bottom-recirc-recsys_4de17638-301b-48a4-9149-a54fda963f80_roberta-similarity1_roberta-similarity_mongo_bucket) - [![6 New Snacks We’ll Be Eating All April](https://assets.bonappetit.com/photos/69cbfd5650d363630aaa4d39/1:1/w_640%2Cc_limit/undefined)Shopping 6 New Snacks We’ll Be Eating All April By Alaina Chou](https://www.bonappetit.com/story/snack-drop-april-2026#intcid=recommendations_bon-appetit-article-bottom-recirc-recsys_4de17638-301b-48a4-9149-a54fda963f80_roberta-similarity1_roberta-similarity_mongo_bucket) - [![This Bone Broth Soup Is a Meal, Not a Cleanse](https://assets.bonappetit.com/photos/69bc1dca9bd65664fc6d3749/1:1/w_640%2Cc_limit/undefined)Cooking This Bone Broth Soup Is a Meal, Not a Cleanse By Rebecca Firkser](https://www.bonappetit.com/story/good-for-you-bone-broth#intcid=recommendations_bon-appetit-article-bottom-recirc-recsys_4de17638-301b-48a4-9149-a54fda963f80_roberta-similarity1_roberta-similarity_mongo_bucket) - [![Here’s How to Submit to BA’s Pantry Awards for 2026](https://assets.bonappetit.com/photos/5d93b415331fc40008af7c55/1:1/w_640%2Cc_limit/undefined)Shopping Here’s How to Submit to BA’s Pantry Awards for 2026 By Editors of Bon Appétit](https://www.bonappetit.com/story/pantry-awards-2026-submissions#intcid=recommendations_bon-appetit-article-bottom-recirc-recsys_4de17638-301b-48a4-9149-a54fda963f80_roberta-similarity1_roberta-similarity_mongo_bucket) - [![Does Flour Go Bad? How to Tell If It’s Still Good](https://assets.bonappetit.com/photos/698a5ae4f15840c201467182/1:1/w_640%2Cc_limit/undefined)Cooking Does Flour Go Bad? How to Tell If It’s Still Good By Hannah Lee Leidy](https://www.bonappetit.com/story/does-flour-go-bad-article#intcid=recommendations_bon-appetit-article-bottom-recirc-recsys_4de17638-301b-48a4-9149-a54fda963f80_roberta-similarity1_roberta-similarity_mongo_bucket) - [![WTF Is a Weeknight Recipe?](https://assets.bonappetit.com/photos/699cc5969998ae992d9afcec/1:1/w_640%2Cc_limit/undefined)Cooking WTF Is a Weeknight Recipe? By Chris Morocco](https://www.bonappetit.com/story/what-is-a-weeknight-recipe#intcid=recommendations_bon-appetit-article-bottom-recirc-recsys_4de17638-301b-48a4-9149-a54fda963f80_roberta-similarity1_roberta-similarity_mongo_bucket) - [![Almond Extract Can Make or Break Your Dessert](https://assets.bonappetit.com/photos/691fb4c136f149fc4a857ac4/1:1/w_640%2Cc_limit/undefined)Cooking Almond Extract Can Make or Break Your Dessert By Emily Saladino](https://www.bonappetit.com/story/what-is-almond-extract-article#intcid=recommendations_bon-appetit-article-bottom-recirc-recsys_4de17638-301b-48a4-9149-a54fda963f80_roberta-similarity1_roberta-similarity_mongo_bucket) - [![We’re Going to Stop Trying to Make ‘Allium’ Happen](https://assets.bonappetit.com/photos/69ce9afbf38396776a5176e6/1:1/w_640%2Cc_limit/undefined)Cooking We’re Going to Stop Trying to Make ‘Allium’ Happen By Chris Morocco](https://www.bonappetit.com/story/alliums-word-from-the-test-kitchen#intcid=recommendations_bon-appetit-article-bottom-recirc-recsys_4de17638-301b-48a4-9149-a54fda963f80_roberta-similarity1_roberta-similarity_mongo_bucket) - [![Chocolate\&\#8211;Olive Oil Cake and More Recipes We Made This Week](https://assets.bonappetit.com/photos/670d76248a85cd32aaa33570/1:1/w_640%2Cc_limit/undefined)Cooking Chocolate–Olive Oil Cake and More Recipes We Made This Week By The Bon Appétit Staff](https://www.bonappetit.com/story/recipes-bon-appetit-editors-cooked-march-2026#intcid=recommendations_bon-appetit-article-bottom-recirc-recsys_4de17638-301b-48a4-9149-a54fda963f80_roberta-similarity1_roberta-similarity_mongo_bucket) [![WHERE FOOD \<br\> MEETS CULTURE \<br\> Expand your horizons with global flavours and vibrant ideas. Just \<strong\>\$3/month\</strong\> for 1 year. \<br\> CTA:SUBSCRIBE](https://assets.bonappetit.com/photos/695c2cafbe7cc209e2027f5a/original/pass/BA_Culture_Desktop_940x140_NFT_01a.gif?format=original)](https://www.bonappetit.com/v2/offers/baa01039?source=Site_0_JNY_BNA_DESKTOP_FOOTER_0_MARCH_2026_CTA_TEST_ZZ_PANELA) [![Bon Appétit](https://www.bonappetit.com/verso/static/bonappetit-us/assets/logo-reverse.svg)](https://www.bonappetit.com/) Recipes you want to make. Cooking advice that works. Restaurant recommendations you trust. More from Bon Appétit - [ABOUT US](https://www.bonappetit.com/story/about-us) - [Masthead](https://www.bonappetit.com/story/digital-masthead) - [Newsletter Signup](https://www.bonappetit.com/newsletter) - [Bon Appétit Media Kit](http://www.condenast.com/brands/bon-appetit/) - [EPICURIOUS](https://www.epicurious.com/) - [Find Us on the Epicurious App](https://apps.apple.com/app/apple-store/id312101965?pt=45076&ct=BA_Site_Footer&mt=8) - [Archive](https://archive.bonappetit.com/) - [Subscribe](https://www.bonappetit.com/subscribe) Contact - [Subscription FAQs](https://www.bonappetit.com/story/subscription-faq) - [Manage Account](https://www.bonappetit.com/account/profile) - [Careers](https://www.condenast.com/careers/) - [Contact Us](https://www.bonappetit.com/info/contact-us) - [User Agreement](https://www.condenast.com/user-agreement/) - [Privacy Policy](http://www.condenast.com/privacy-policy#privacypolicy) - [Your California Privacy Rights](http://www.condenast.com/privacy-policy#privacypolicy-california) - [RSS Feeds](https://www.bonappetit.com/rss-feeds) - [Site Map](https://www.bonappetit.com/sitemap) - [Accessibility Help](https://www.bonappetit.com/story/accessibility-help) - [Condé Nast Store](https://www.condenaststore.com/) - Your Privacy Choices © 2026 Condé Nast. All rights reserved. Bon Appétit may earn a portion of sales from products that are purchased through our site as part of our Affiliate Partnerships with retailers. The material on this site may not be reproduced, distributed, transmitted, cached or otherwise used, except with the prior written permission of Condé Nast. [Ad Choices](http://www.aboutads.info/) Food Innovation Group
Readable Markdown	All products featured on Bon Appétit are independently selected by our editors. However, we may receive compensation from retailers and/or from purchases of products through these links. Say it with us, people: Cold brew is not just hot coffee poured over ice. No, the staggeringly expensive, shockingly strong iced coffee that runs through our veins all summer long is an entirely different beast, made by slow-steeping coffee beans before straining them out. The result is dark, intense, and can often be very bitter. Although it's not rocket science, figuring out [how to make cold brew at home](https://www.bonappetit.com/recipe/cold-brew-iced-coffee-concentrate) is a little more complicated than pouring water over a batch of beans and forgetting about it. Avoid these common mistakes, and you'll have cold brew so good, you could charge \$5 for a small. ## 1\. Using the Good Beans While we don't advocate using year-old beans from the sale rack at the grocery store, it would be a mistake to "waste" your super-fresh, super high-end, single-origin beans on cold brew. But how old is too old? "You can can still get a quality batch of cold brew with beans that are several weeks old. I wouldn’t let them get too far out (as in months) or you will start to notice some pretty lifeless qualities but yes, the cold brew process is much more forgiving in regards to age of coffee," says Michael Phillips, director of training at [Blue Bottle](https://bluebottlecoffee.com/). ## 2\. Grinding the Beans Too Fine Some methods of brewing, like [pour-over](https://www.bonappetit.com/drinks/non-alcoholic/article/how-to-chemex), call for finely ground beans. But in cold brew, because you're steeping them for upwards of 12 hours, you should grind the beans coarsely. Coffee that is too finely ground will "over-extract," explains Phillips. Over-extracted (steeped for too long) coffee is bitter coffee, which no one wants (although it does explain a lot about some recent cups of cold brew we've had). ![Dublin iced coffee with cream served in a tall glass](https://assets.bonappetit.com/photos/57ad43f91b3340441497558f/master/w_1600%2Cc_limit/dublin-iced-coffee.jpg) Make cold brew, dilute it by half, add cream, enjoy.Michael Graydon + Nikole Herriott ## 3\. Using the Wrong Ratio The basic formula for cold brew is one pound of ground coffee beans to one gallon of water. Unless you're running a small café out of your kitchen (or just plan on being really productive), you likely won't need to make that much. A more home brewing-friendly ratio is a quarter-pound of beans to four cups of water. Scale down or drink up. ## 4\. Freaking Out about the Water Temperature Everybody just chill: Despite what you may have heard in the past, you can start the steeping process with whatever temperature your heart desires. Hot water kick-starts the brewing party, which is useful if you're in a hurry—say, if you're starting a batch at 10 p.m. and you'll need it at 6 the next morning. That said, explains Phillips, hot water might highlight different flavors in the coffee—which could make for a fun experiment, if you're the scientific method type. But if it's a classic, simple cup of cold brew you want, start with room-temperature water. ![Image may contain Drink and Beverage](https://assets.bonappetit.com/photos/57bf26e16a6acdf3485df5c7/master/w_1600%2Cc_limit/blue-bottle-cold-brew.jpg) Blue Bottle sells pre-diluted cold brew in cans, in case this is all just too much for you.Aubrie Pick ## 5\. Not Diluting the Concentrate The standard time for steeping, says Phillips, is 24 hours. Be aware that will result in an intensely flavored (and caffeinated) [coffee concentrate](https://www.bonappetit.com/recipe/cold-brew-iced-coffee-concentrate). When you're ready to drink, dilute it with water (adding cream or alt-milks will also cut the intensity). When made according to the 1 pound:1 gallon ratio, your cold brew will contain roughly twice the amount of caffeine as hot drip coffee. Phillips suggests cutting that 50/50 with water. Not only will that keep your caffeine consumption at bay, it will mitigate the bitterness. ## 6\. Storing it Too Long in the Fridge Unlike hot coffee, which is pretty much crap after a few hours, cold brew will keep in your fridge. As an undiluted concentrate, it'll keep for up to two weeks, although the flavor quality will degrade after the first week. If you've cut the concentrate with water, that shortens the shelf life to a mere 2-3 days. ## Now that you know how to make cold brew, try a shakerato:
Shard	144 (laksa)
Root Hash	6389551939407734344
Unparsed URL	com,bonappetit!www,/test-kitchen/common-mistakes/article/cold-brew-coffee-common-mistakes s443