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Wandering Bear Cold Brew Coffee Review
Last updated on June 21, 2024If you're someone who drinks a lot of coffee, you might have noticed that many people are turning to cold brew as the new go-to drink. Not only does it offer a rich and bold taste but cold brew has a much higher coffee-to-water ratio than drip coffee, making it far more caffeinated. For instance, the average cup of drip has a ratio between 1:16 and 1:20, but cold brew's ratio is closer to a range of 1:4 to 1:8 — how interesting! But which cold brew is best? Today, we're reviewing the Wandering Bear Cold Brew Coffee to help you decide if it's the cold brew for you.
Our Score: 4.30With a bold and delicious taste, the Wandering Bear Cold Brew Coffee promises twice as much caffeine as other cold brew drink options.
Buying Guide: Cold Brew Coffee
If you're a coffee enthusiast looking to indulge in the refreshing richness and smoothness of cold brew, you've come to the right place. In this guide, we're walking you through everything you need to know when shopping for cold brew coffee.
Cold Brew Coffee: Buying Tips
Type of beans used
The type of beans that were made to create cold brew will greatly impact your coffee's flavor profile, strength, and overall taste. Most cold brew coffees are made with medium- or dark-roast beans, but you can find light-roast cold brew coffee if you look long enough!
The most popular bean varieties in cold brew coffee include Arabica, Robusta, Kona, and Sumatran. Arabica beans also tend to be milder and a lot smoother than Robusta beans, the latter of which are usually bolder in flavor due to their fruity notes. If you know what kind of flavors you prefer to taste in your cups of cold brew, make sure to select a variety of beans suitable for those flavors.
Roast level
The roast level of the beans will significantly influence the overall flavor profile of your cold brew coffee. You should always select the roast level that best fits the flavors you would like to experience in your cup. Light roasts offer brighter and more acidic notes. On the other hand, dark roasts tend to be more intense, lending smokier and chocolatey flavors.
Country of origin
Coffee beans differ based on where in the world they're grown. The flavor profiles depend on each region's climate and harvesting conditions. Popular coffees from Latin America tend to have smooth and balanced flavor notes, whereas African coffees are known for more intense fruity flavors. When you understand the coffee beans' country of origin, you can more easily find a flavor profile that best suits your tastes.
Brewing time
Cold brew coffee is made when coarsely ground coffee beans are steeped in room-temperature water for anywhere from 12 to 24 hours. The longer the coffee steeps, the stronger the coffee will be and the more flavorful it will taste. Make sure you choose cold brew with a brewing method that is compatible with your schedule. That way, you'll be able to get the most out of your cold brew experience.
Brewing method
If you choose to prepare cold brew coffee from home, you have options in terms of your brewing method. From a French press, a mason jar brewing system, or a standard drip brewer, the choice is up to you. Just make sure you select the option that works well for you based on convenience and ease of use. Remember that each method yields slightly different results based on the amount of contact time between the grounds and water.
Level of acidity
When people consider their cold brew coffee options, acidity is often an overlooked detail, but you should pay attention to this aspect because it can make all the difference in the coffee's flavor profile. Generally speaking, coffee with a higher acidity level is bright and fruity while low-acid coffees tend to be mellow and smooth. So, keep this in mind, and determine which acidity level suits your preferences the most before choosing which coffee to buy.
Tips To Prepare a Delicious Cold Brew Coffee
Here are tips and tricks that you should apply if you want to enjoy the best cold brew coffee!
- Start with high-quality coffee beans. Choose a medium-to-coarse grind that is both fresh and flavorful. Also, note that specialty coffee beans often produce better results.
- Use filtered water. The quality of the water that you use will greatly affect the taste of your coffee. Filtered water is best because it is void of impurities, so it can enhance the flavors of your cold brew with ease.
- Be intentional about the coffee-to-water ratio. As a general rule of thumb, it's recommended that you adhere to a coffee-to-water ratio of 1:4, but you can adjust it according to your taste preferences.
- Steep for the appropriate duration of time. Cold brew requires a longer steeping time compared to the steeping times of hot coffee brewing methods. Depending on your desired strength, you can steep your coffee for anywhere from 12 to 24 hours. Make sure you keep it in the fridge for the entire steeping time. Feel free to experiment with different steeping times to find the flavor that tastes best to you.
- Strain your coffee carefully. After steeping your cold brew, strain it using a fine-mesh sieve, cheesecloth, or coffee filter.
- Dilute the cold brew based on your taste preferences. Cold brew is stronger than regular coffee, so it's important to dilute it with water or your choice of milk prior to consuming it. Start with a 1:1 ratio of coffee concentrate to water or milk, and go from there. You can adjust the ratio to your liking.
- Serve your cold brew with ice. Cold brew is typically served over ice. You can also add flavors like vanilla syrup, caramel sauce, or a dash of cinnamon to enhance the taste.
Buying Guide: Cold Brew Coffee
If you're a coffee enthusiast looking to indulge in the refreshing richness and smoothness of cold brew, you've come to the right place. In this guide, we're walking you through everything you need to know when shopping for cold brew coffee.
Cold Brew Coffee: Buying Tips
Type of beans used
The type of beans that were made to create cold brew will greatly impact your coffee's flavor profile, strength, and overall taste. Most cold brew coffees are made with medium- or dark-roast beans, but you can find light-roast cold brew coffee if you look long enough!
The most popular bean varieties in cold brew coffee include Arabica, Robusta, Kona, and Sumatran. Arabica beans also tend to be milder and a lot smoother than Robusta beans, the latter of which are usually bolder in flavor due to their fruity notes. If you know what kind of flavors you prefer to taste in your cups of cold brew, make sure to select a variety of beans suitable for those flavors.
Roast level
The roast level of the beans will significantly influence the overall flavor profile of your cold brew coffee. You should always select the roast level that best fits the flavors you would like to experience in your cup. Light roasts offer brighter and more acidic notes. On the other hand, dark roasts tend to be more intense, lending smokier and chocolatey flavors.
Country of origin
Coffee beans differ based on where in the world they're grown. The flavor profiles depend on each region's climate and harvesting conditions. Popular coffees from Latin America tend to have smooth and balanced flavor notes, whereas African coffees are known for more intense fruity flavors. When you understand the coffee beans' country of origin, you can more easily find a flavor profile that best suits your tastes.
Brewing time
Cold brew coffee is made when coarsely ground coffee beans are steeped in room-temperature water for anywhere from 12 to 24 hours. The longer the coffee steeps, the stronger the coffee will be and the more flavorful it will taste. Make sure you choose cold brew with a brewing method that is compatible with your schedule. That way, you'll be able to get the most out of your cold brew experience.
Brewing method
If you choose to prepare cold brew coffee from home, you have options in terms of your brewing method. From a French press, a mason jar brewing system, or a standard drip brewer, the choice is up to you. Just make sure you select the option that works well for you based on convenience and ease of use. Remember that each method yields slightly different results based on the amount of contact time between the grounds and water.
Level of acidity
When people consider their cold brew coffee options, acidity is often an overlooked detail, but you should pay attention to this aspect because it can make all the difference in the coffee's flavor profile. Generally speaking, coffee with a higher acidity level is bright and fruity while low-acid coffees tend to be mellow and smooth. So, keep this in mind, and determine which acidity level suits your preferences the most before choosing which coffee to buy.
Tips To Prepare a Delicious Cold Brew Coffee
Here are tips and tricks that you should apply if you want to enjoy the best cold brew coffee!
- Start with high-quality coffee beans. Choose a medium-to-coarse grind that is both fresh and flavorful. Also, note that specialty coffee beans often produce better results.
- Use filtered water. The quality of the water that you use will greatly affect the taste of your coffee. Filtered water is best because it is void of impurities, so it can enhance the flavors of your cold brew with ease.
- Be intentional about the coffee-to-water ratio. As a general rule of thumb, it's recommended that you adhere to a coffee-to-water ratio of 1:4, but you can adjust it according to your taste preferences.
- Steep for the appropriate duration of time. Cold brew requires a longer steeping time compared to the steeping times of hot coffee brewing methods. Depending on your desired strength, you can steep your coffee for anywhere from 12 to 24 hours. Make sure you keep it in the fridge for the entire steeping time. Feel free to experiment with different steeping times to find the flavor that tastes best to you.
- Strain your coffee carefully. After steeping your cold brew, strain it using a fine-mesh sieve, cheesecloth, or coffee filter.
- Dilute the cold brew based on your taste preferences. Cold brew is stronger than regular coffee, so it's important to dilute it with water or your choice of milk prior to consuming it. Start with a 1:1 ratio of coffee concentrate to water or milk, and go from there. You can adjust the ratio to your liking.
- Serve your cold brew with ice. Cold brew is typically served over ice. You can also add flavors like vanilla syrup, caramel sauce, or a dash of cinnamon to enhance the taste.
FAQ
Q. Can I heat up cold brew coffee?A. Absolutely! Cold brew coffee can be heated if you prefer a warm beverage. Simply pour the cold brew concentrate into a microwave-safe container or heat it on the stove until it reaches your desired temperature. Just keep in mind that warming up cold brew may alter its flavor profile because the heat might enhance its acidity.Q. How long does cold brew coffee last?A. Cold brew coffee can last up to two weeks as long as you store it properly in a refrigerator. To maintain the freshness of your cold brew, transfer the concentrate to a sealed container after brewing, and make sure you keep it refrigerated. Over time, the flavor might gradually change and become less vibrant, but it should still be safe to consume. If you notice any odors or flavors that seem off, it's best to discard the remaining cold brew and make a fresh batch.
