6 Best Organic Cold Brew Coffee Brands for a Cool Pick Me Up
Organic cold brew provides a unique flavor and taste that traditional hot coffee methods can’t replicate. And since it’s relatively easy to make at home, it’s no wonder the trend is taking off.
Let’s explore exactly what organic cold brew coffee is, why you should try it, and a list of the best organic cold brew companies to try. I’m sharing a few of my favorites!
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Cold brew coffee is coffee that is made by steeping coarse coffee grounds in cold or room temperature water.
Unlike coffee made in a coffee pot or French press, cold brew doesn’t require heat and results in a flavorful cup of coffee that’s lower in acidity with a smoother taste.
Also known as cold pressing or cold water extraction, cold brewing uses a specific ratio of coffee grounds to water. This ratio, combined with the slow steeping process, creates a beverage that can last for up to a week or longer.
What Is Organic Cold Brew?
Organic cold brew is made from organic coffee beans that have not been exposed to chemical pesticides or artificial fertilizers.
These beans are typically grown in soil conditions that are free of these chemicals and preservatives, resulting in a clean cup of coffee that’s healthier and better for the environment.
In addition, to be labeled organic, it must go through rigorous quality controls.
Traditional coffee that isn’t organic doesn’t have the same level of quality and purity as organic cold brew does. This means that you run the risk of ingesting potentially harmful chemicals when drinking non-organic coffee.
Why Is Organic Cold Brew a Good Choice?
Unfortunately, contaminants harm the environment, so using organic coffee supports a more sustainable way of producing coffee. Over 2.5 million acres of land have been cleared in Central America to farm sun-grown coffee alone.
Sun-grown coffee is especially problematic because it destroys plant diversity necessary to support numerous insects and animals.
Since organic cold brew is made with fewer chemicals and less processing, it’s healthier for both you and the environment.
By opting for organic coffee beans, you can also support sustainable farming practices that are good for farmers.
To produce traditional coffee in high quantities, farmers often have prolonged exposure to pesticides and other chemicals that are hazardous to their health.
6 Organic Cold Brew Coffee Brands to Try
Now that we’ve covered the basics, let’s dive into some of the best organic cold brew coffee brands to try. Each of these five brands offers safer and healthier alternatives to traditional cold brew.
This list of organic cold brew brands has something for everyone including those who like to make their own cold brew at home, ready made cold brew drinks for on the go, and easy instant cold brew.
Rise Brewing Co.’s Dairy Free Organic Cold Brew Drinks
With several award-winning products, Rise’s mission is to bring organic products free of harmful ingredients. Using plant-based ingredients that are USDA organic, non-GMO, and glyphosate-free, Rise’s cold brew coffees contain no artificial flavors or preservatives.
Rise’s products come already brewed and ready for consumption with both canned nitro cold brew and multi-serve cartons. Each one is dairy free and uses oat milk made from organic oats.
Along with their flavored cold brew coffees conscious consumers can also purchase Original Black Nitro Cold Brew Coffee.
Rise has many options for coffee lovers. Their organic cold brew can be found at select grocery stores or purchased online. Prices range from around $3 per individual can to $50 for purchasing cold brew cartons in bulk.
Wandering Bear’s USDA Certified Organic Cold Brew Coffee
As a company dedicated to providing its customers with dairy-free and vegan coffee, Wandering Bear was founded by two friends wanting to create the best cold-brew coffee available.
Using only organic coffee sourced from Peru, Mexico, and Nicaragua, Wandering Bear’s strong and smooth cold brew coffees are available in flavors like vanilla, raspberry mocha, hazelnut, and more.
They even offer decaf cold brew! Each type is pre-made and ready for you to enjoy.
Plus, their packaging is 100% recyclable, so you don’t have to worry about creating unnecessary waste. Wandering Bear’s organic cold brew ranges from around $11 per carton to $50 when purchasing in bulk.
explorer’s Cold Brew
LGBTQ+ owned Explorer provides award-winning, completely-customizable coffee. Each concentrate comes with four caffeine options: none (0 - 2 milligrams), low (50 milligrams), regular (100 milligrams), and extra (150 milligrams). You can also add in flavor elixirs like peppermint or vanilla to further customize your cold brew.
The single-origin washed coffee from Ethiopia is fair trade and ethically sourced; Explorer’s partnership with several coalitions of farmers is equitable, provides fair wages and helps support sustainable development in their communities.
Additionally, Explorer donates a portion of the proceeds to Charity: Water, a leading provider of clean water access for communities around the world.
Fidalgo’s Fair Trade Organic Cold Brew
Once a small coffee house, Fidalgo Coffee has spread its love of good coffee worldwide. By carefully curating only the best coffee beans from Central and South America, Fidalgo offers coffee that is both full-bodied and rich in flavor.
Fidalgo’s Centro Cold Brew is specifically roasted for the slow steeping process cold brewing entails. This coffee is great for anyone who loves to make their own cold brew!
Their coffee is fair trade, certified organic, and grown in the shade. Plus, with their Underground Coffee program, Fidalgo offers those living in underserved communities a second chance by providing employment and a way out of continued incarceration.
Fidalgo’s cold brew coffee can be purchased for around $14.50 a bag.
CocoaX’s Organic Instant Cold Brew
Founded by single mother Joan Hall, CocoaX’s mission is to bring delicious cocoa with espresso to households across the country. To do this, she only uses ethical suppliers that don’t use sprays with harmful chemicals during the farming process.
With these sustainable values in mind, CocoaX has brought some of the best-tasting, and highest-quality espresso mixes to the market.
CocoaX’s organic and fresh-roasted cold brew has a bold nutty flavor and only requires ice and water. Without the extra prep time, you can enjoy a ready-to-serve cold brew in a matter of seconds.
CocoaX’s cold brew can be purchased for around $16 per bag.
Real Good Coffee Company
Real Good Coffee Company believe everyone should have access to healthy and delicious coffee and maintain reasonable prices while still using the highest-quality beans.
Real Good Coffee Company’s Organic Dark Roast Cold Brew Coffee comes with six packs of arabica ground beans to brew your own cold brew. With a dark bold flavor with notes of bell pepper, cedar, and lemon, it has a unique flavor profile and rich fragrance.
How Is Cold Brew Coffee Made?
To make organic cold brew coffee, simply steep freshly ground coffee beans in cold water for several hours. Some people prefer to soak their grounds for about 8 hours, while others wait up to 24 hours.
Typically, much less water is used to create a cold brew concentrate. A ratio of 1 part coffee grounds to 4 to 8 parts water is usually recommended.
Once the concentrate is ready, you can add milk, water, or ice to create a drink that suits your taste. Without something to dilute the concentrate, it will have significantly more caffeine than a regular cup of coffee due to the lower concentration of water.
To dilute a cold brew concentrate and add some flavor, you can also add the following:
A sustainable milk alternative, like oat milk
Organic cane sugar
You can also use organic flavored coffee to add sweetness and complexity to your cold brew.
What’s the Difference Between Cold Brew & Iced Coffee?
By this point, you may be wondering how cold brew coffee differs from iced coffee. While they have similarities, there are also a few key differences between them.
Generally, iced coffee is brewed hot and then poured over ice. So simply put, it’s the same thing as your regular cup of joe but with ice added.
On the other hand, cold brew coffee has a completely different extraction method. As mentioned before, this also affects the taste and smoothness, making cold brew an entirely different flavor profile than regular iced coffee.
Iced coffee is often seen as a quick way to make cold coffee, while cold brew requires more finesse and time. That being said, the slow process of making cold brew usually results in a more tasty and balanced cup of coffee.
Since cold brew is less acidic, organic cold brew can be easier on the stomach for those who are sensitive to acidity. Without the additional acids, cold brew is a great choice for those who suffer from acid reflux or heartburn.
Many prefer the smoother taste of cold brew coffee since it isn’t as bitter as regular coffee.
Since it lasts longer than regular coffee, organic cold brew can be an excellent choice for demanding days when you don’t have time to brew coffee. Once it’s brewed, you can leave it in a sealed vessel on your kitchen counter for up to a week.
Tips for Making Your Own Organic Cold Brew Coffee
If you decide to make cold brew coffee at home, here are a few tips to make sure it turns out perfectly:
Experiment with different brands: Each type will have a unique flavor profile, and trying new ones will help you narrow down what you like best.
Try steeping it for different amounts of time: Cold brew coffee should steep for at least 8 hours, but you may find you prefer it if you soak it for 12 or even 24 hours.
Try different ratios of water: Using more or less water can make the cold brew stronger or weaker, so experiment with different ratios to find one that suits your taste.
Consider keeping your cold brew at room temperature: Although putting it in the fridge seems obvious, many coffee enthusiasts recommend keeping it at room temperature to get the best flavor.
Use fresh coffee: The older your coffee beans get, the more flavor you lose. Make sure to use fresh coffee for the best-tasting cold brew.
Store your coffee in an airtight container: If you plan to store the cold brew for more than a few days, keep it in an airtight container so it stays safe to drink.
We hope that you found a great option to try next time you're shopping for the perfect cold brew! If you’re interested in learning more about organic coffee and its importance, check out this blog post about the 10 best organic coffee brands.
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