Coffee Info

What are the Best Coffee Beans for Cold Brew?

Cold brew coffee is popular for a good reason - its smooth, low-acid profile delivers a refreshing coffee experience unlike any other brewing method. But creating that perfect pitcher of cold brew starts with two critical elements: selecting the right beans and grinding them properly. In this guide, we'll walk you through everything you need to know about choosing ideal coffee beans for cold brew and how to prepare them for the best possible extraction. Whether you're a cold brew beginner or looking to refine your technique, these expert tips will help you craft the perfect cold brew every time. Why do the right coffee beans matter when it comes to cold brew? The coffee beans you select are arguably the most crucial element in creating exceptional cold brew. Because cold brew's slow extraction process pulls out different compounds than hot brewing methods, your bean selection dramatically influences the final flavor profile. Cold brewing tends to highlight a bean's inherent sweetness and chocolate notes while minimizing acidity and bitterness, making it particularly responsive to the nuances in different varieties and roast levels. High-quality beans with distinct flavor characteristics will shine through the extended steeping process, while lower-quality beans might produce a flat, one-dimensional result. Additionally, freshness plays an even more significant role in cold brew, as the extended contact time will amplify any staleness or off-flavors present in older beans. The bean's density, oil content, and cellular structure—all influenced by growing region, processing method, and roast level—affect how compounds extract during the long steep, ultimately determining whether your cold brew will be refreshingly bright, richly complex, or disappointingly bland. Taking time to select the right beans helps unlock cold brew's full potential to deliver a smooth, flavorful experience that hot brewing simply cannot replicate. How to Choose the Best Coffee Beans for Cold Brew A great place to start is with something like our Cold Brew coffee pre-ground to the perfect texture. To make our Cold Brew blend, we select the finest beans grown in Africa and lightly roast them. The beans are ground to a coarse texture to make the filtration process easier and deliver refreshing, smooth, and well-balanced cold brew coffee. While our specially designed Cold Brew coffee offers the perfect starting point, the world of cold brew presents endless opportunities for flavor exploration. Light roasts beyond our African blend can reveal surprising bright notes and delicate complexity when cold brewed, with fruity and floral characteristics becoming more pronounced through the gentle extraction method. Medium roasts offer wonderful versatility, developing rich chocolate and nut tones while maintaining enough acidity to keep the flavor profile interesting and balanced. Don't shy away from experimenting with dark roasts either – the slow extraction of cold brew naturally reduces bitterness while highlighting the caramel, chocolate, and toasted flavors these beans are known for. Flavored coffees take on a completely new dimension in cold brew, with vanilla, hazelnut, and chocolate notes becoming more subtle and integrated. The beauty of cold brew's forgiving nature is that it allows you to discover new dimensions in beans you might already enjoy hot or to give beans that seemed too intense or acidic for your taste a second chance in this smooth, refreshing format. How to Grind Coffee Beans for Cold Brew Measure Precisely Weigh out 1 oz of San Francisco Bay Coffee beans for each 10 oz of water Finding the Right Grind Setting On most burr grinders, aim for settings between 7-10 on a 10-point scale If your grinder has numbered settings (1-10), choose 8-10 If your grinder has labeled settings, select "French Press" or "Cold Brew" Always err on the side of too coarse rather than too fine Visual Cues for Proper Grind Your ground coffee should resemble coarse sea salt or raw sugar Particles should be visibly larger than standard drip coffee grounds You should see distinct, chunky pieces with minimal fine powder The grounds should feel rough and gritty between your fingers Grinding Technique Tips Grind in small batches for more consistent results Allow your grinder to work at its own pace without forcing beans through Clean your grinder regularly to ensure consistent particle size If your grounds look uneven, adjust your grinder to a slightly coarser setting Common Grinding Mistakes to Avoid Grinding too fine (leads to over-extraction and bitter flavor) Using pre-ground coffee (typically too fine for cold brew) Inconsistent particle size (creates uneven extraction) Grinding too far in advance (reduces freshness and flavor) To learn more about making cold brew, read our guide How to Make Cold Brew Coffee.  Shop San Francisco Bay Coffee Now that you understand the importance of bean selection and proper grinding techniques for cold brew, it's time to put your knowledge into practice. Our collection includes a wide range of coffee beans you can use to create your daily cold brew coffee. If you prefer to buy pre-ground, we made a special, coarse-ground Cold Brew that is perfectly smooth, sweet, and balanced. Let us save you time and work achieving and right grind with our delicious Cold Brew blend.   

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Arabica vs Robusta Coffee: Finding the Best Option For You

For coffee lovers, understanding the difference between Arabica and Robusta beans is essential to finding your perfect cup. These two varieties dominate the global coffee market, each bringing unique characteristics to your daily brew. If you're a casual coffee drinker or an aspiring connoisseur, knowing the distinct qualities of each bean type will help you make more informed choices about your coffee selection. Let's explore what makes these beans different and which might be the best choice for your taste preferences. What is Arabica Coffee? Arabica coffee (Coffea arabica) is one of the two main species of coffee cultivated worldwide, known for its superior flavor and quality compared to its counterpart, Robusta coffee. Originally native to the highlands of Ethiopia, Arabica coffee grows best at high altitudes between 3,000-6,000 feet. Arabica makes up about 70% of global coffee production and is used in most high-quality and specialty coffee products. However, it's more expensive to produce because the plants are more susceptible to disease and environmental stress, and they yield fewer beans per plant than Robusta. Major Arabica-producing regions include Brazil, Colombia, Ethiopia, Honduras, and Guatemala. Different growing regions can produce distinctly different flavor profiles in the beans, which is why coffee origins are often prominently featured on specialty coffee packaging. What is Robusta Coffee? Robusta coffee (Coffea canephora) is the second most common species of coffee cultivated worldwide, known for its hardiness, high caffeine content, and stronger, more bitter flavor profile. Originally native to central and western sub-Saharan Africa, Robusta can thrive at lower altitudes and in warmer conditions than Arabica. Robusta makes up about 30% of global coffee production and is primarily used in instant coffee, some espresso blends for extra body and crema, lower-cost commercial coffee brands, and some Vietnamese coffee preparations.  Major Robusta-producing countries include Vietnam, Brazil, Indonesia, and Uganda. While often considered inferior to Arabica, high-quality Robusta beans are gaining appreciation in specialty coffee circles, particularly for their unique characteristics in espresso blends. What is the difference between Arabica and Robusta Coffee? Flavor Profile: Arabica: Sweeter, smoother, with complex flavors including fruit, chocolate, nuts, and berries. Has a wine-like brightness and pleasant acidity. The flavor complexity can vary significantly based on origin, with Ethiopian beans often showing floral notes and Colombian beans known for caramel sweetness. Robusta: Stronger, more bitter, with earthy and woody notes. Often described as having a grain-like or rubbery taste. Higher-quality Robusta can exhibit dark chocolate and rum characteristics, particularly in Vietnamese coffee preparations. Caffeine Content: Arabica: Lower (around 1.5%), which contributes to its smoother, less bitter taste Robusta: Higher (around 2.7%), making it popular for strong espresso blends and energy-focused coffee drinks Growing Conditions: Arabica: More demanding, requires high altitudes (3,000-6,000 feet), cooler temperatures, and specific soil conditions. Needs consistent rainfall and shade protection for optimal growth Robusta: Hardier, can grow at lower altitudes (0-2,000 feet), more tolerant of heat and varying conditions. Can withstand direct sunlight and irregular rainfall patterns Plant Characteristics: Arabica: More delicate, disease-prone, lower yield per plant. Takes longer to produce the first crop (3-5 years) Robusta: More resistant to disease and pests, higher yield per plant. Generally produces first crop faster (2-3 years) Bean Shape: Arabica: Oval-shaped with an S-shaped groove, generally larger beans Robusta: Rounder and smaller than Arabica, with a straighter groove Price and Market Position: Arabica: Generally more expensive, used in specialty coffee and high-end brands. Comprises about 60-70% of global production Robusta: Less expensive, commonly used in instant coffee and commercial blends. Makes up 30-40% of global production Common Uses: Arabica: Premium coffee drinks, pour-overs, drip coffee, single-origin offerings Robusta: Instant coffee, espresso blends (for crema), commercial coffee blends, traditional Vietnamese coffee Chemical Composition: Arabica: Higher in lipids and sugars, which contribute to better flavor. Contains more complex aromatic compounds Robusta: Higher in chlorogenic acids and oil content, which create more crema in espresso and contribute to its stronger taste Major Producing Regions: Arabica: Brazil, Colombia, Ethiopia, Honduras, Guatemala, Peru, and Costa Rica Robusta: Vietnam, Brazil, Indonesia, Uganda, and India, with Vietnam producing about 40% of the world's Robusta Choosing Between Arabica vs. Robusta Coffee The choice between Arabica and Robusta ultimately comes down to your personal preferences and how you plan to enjoy your coffee. If you value complex, nuanced flavors, Arabica beans are likely your best choice. They're particularly well-suited for pour-overs, drip coffee, and specialty drinks where the bean's subtle characteristics can shine. At San Francisco Bay Coffee, we've chosen to focus exclusively on premium Arabica beans sourced from the world's finest growing regions. Our commitment to quality ensures that every cup delivers the smooth, complex flavors that make Arabica coffee so beloved by coffee enthusiasts. Explore Our Premium Arabica Collection Today  

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Navigating Rising Coffee Prices: Our Commitment to Quality, Farmers, and You

You may have noticed that coffee prices are rising. In fact, coffee prices have increased over 100% in the past year, reaching an all-time high. We know there is concern for what this means for the price of the coffee that you buy – including San Francisco Bay Coffee - and we’d like to help explain what’s going on.   Why Are Our Coffee Prices Rising? Due to various factors influencing the global coffee market, all coffee brands, including San Francisco Bay Coffee, are experiencing increased costs. The coffee industry continues to be under extreme pressure driven by multiple factors: severe weather conditions, increased global demand, rising production costs for farmers, and environmental threats. This heightened demand, coupled with constrained supply and market volatility has created an economic imbalance, exerting upward pressure on prices. Driven by Quality and a Sense of Responsibility The ongoing environmental changes will only intensify the pressures already facing the coffee industry and will compound the challenges that coffee farmers already face. Because of this, we believe it’s more important than ever to choose to invest in responsible practices to safeguard the future of coffee. Unfortunately, we will need to raise our prices to do this.   We understand that this news may not be pleasant to hear. You have a choice in the coffee you purchase, and we never take that for granted. But we also know that your choice of coffee can have an impact, and we’d like to share a bit more about the impact your San Francisco Bay Coffee purchases make.   Our Ongoing Commitments With all these unpredictable and ongoing developments, one thing remains certain: San Francisco Bay Coffee stands by our commitments to quality, equity, and sustainability. Rest assured, as a fundamental part of who we are, the quality of the coffee you love will not be changing. Our commitment to sustainability: As more and more coffee-growing land is under threat, it is more important than ever to invest in sustainable coffee practices. San Francisco Bay Coffee will always uphold its commitment to the planet. To ensure truly environmentally friendly coffee, we work with farmers to limit the usage of harmful chemicals, carefully conserve water through advanced irrigation, and safeguard the diverse wildlife living on and around our coffee farms.  Our commitment to farmer relationships:Unlike many coffee companies, San Francisco Bay Coffee has direct relationships with its farmers, working directly with its farmers in communities like Hawaii, Mexico, Guatemala, Colombia and Rwanda. San Francisco Bay Coffee is committed to helping our coffee farmers maintain their livelihood by teaching them sustainable and profitable farming practices and ensuring they are paid fairly for their coffee beans. We built these relationships upon the principles of mutual trust and respect, and we draw a firm line against undercutting our hardworking farmers. Our commitment to responsible sourcing:Enveritas is a third-party, non-profit organization that assesses sustainability and ethical practices within coffee production. They take a holistic approach to their assessment, looking at issues such as deforestation, water use, labor conditions, and many other factors to determine if coffee has truly been responsibly sourced. So you’ll be glad to hear that 100% of the unroasted coffee beans we purchased in 2024 were verified as responsibly sourced. Their work has helped the lives of so many farmers and farmer communities worldwide, and we are proud to be part of their mission. Our commitment to quality:We believe that coffee is only as good as the beans that are used, and we go to great lengths to ensure that only the finest specialty-grade coffee makes it into your cup. We always purchase directly from farmers or cooperatives, which means we are able to trace every drop of our coffee and its quality down to the last bean. As such, we will never compromise our coffee by using beans that don’t meet our standards.  When you buy our coffee, you are supporting our efforts to improve the lives of our farmers, their land, and their communities all around the world. So What Does This All Mean? We’re raising our prices, because we’re choosing to remain committed to our promise to our farmers and to you. When you choose San Francisco Bay Coffee, you are choosing to support farmers, their communities, and the land that grows our coffee, and we thank you for this. In return, you get a guarantee from us that your coffee will always be of the highest quality and taste. We hope that you can savor your morning brew in peace knowing we've taken care of the rest.

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Sip Into Spring

It's springtime, and we're ready to welcome lighter, brighter flavors into our cups. So, what's on the menu? Florals and fruit flavors: Lavender, rose, strawberry, and citrus pair beautifully with coffee. Cool it down: Over ice or blended – get a whole new experience when you try cold coffee. Lighten your milk: Try almond, oat, or coconut milk for a spring-fresh feel.  Cold Brew with Orange Zest Add a splash of tonic water and a squeeze of orange juice to your cold brew for a bright, citrusy, and super refreshing afternoon treat! INGREDIENTS: • 8 ounces cold brew• 1/4 cup orange juice• 1/4 cup water• 1/2 cup sugar• Ice• Zest of one small orange • Splash of tonic water (optional)  INSTRUCTIONS: 1. Cold Brew – Check out our blog on how to make the perfect cold brew. 2. Orange Simple Syrup – Combine water, juice, sugar, and orange zest in a saucepan. Bring to a boil to dissolve sugar, then let cool. Strain out orange zest.  3. Assembly – Fill a glass with ice, add the simple syrup and cold brew, then top with a spash on tonic water. Stir together and garnish with an orange slice.  Honey Lavendar Latte Add a touch of lavender syrup to your morning latte, and top it off with a drizzle of honey for a lightly floral, soothing, and sweet cup of coffee.  INGREDIENTS: • 2 shots of espresso• 1 cup milk • 1 tablespoon honey• 1/4 teaspoon vanilla extract• 1/4 teaspoon lavender syrup• Dried culinary lavender (optional) INSTRUCTIONS: 1. Make the Espresso – We suggest our Fog Chaser for the perfect shot of espresso.  2. Make the Cream – Froth together milk, vanilla, lavender syrup and honey.  3. Assemble – Pour espresso into a mug, add frothed milk, and top with an additional drizzle of honey. Optional: sprinkle a small amount of culinary lavender on top.  Coconut Cream Iced Latte Add a touch of vanilla to your iced coffee and top with coconut cream for a tropical dessert in a cup!  INGREDIENTS: • 1/2 cup strong coffee (or 2 shots of espresso)• 1/4 teaspoon vanilla extract• 1/3 cup coconut cream• 1 to 2 teaspoons sugar• Ice INSTRUCTIONS: 1. Make the Coffee – Brew a 1/2 cup of strong coffee or a double shot of espresso. 2. Make the Coconut Cream – Blend together coconut cream, vanilla, and sugar in a bowl. Hint: Use the thick part from a can of full-fat coconut milk. 3. Assemble – Add ice to a glass, pour in coffee, and top with the coconut cream. 

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What is the Ideal Coffee Brewing Temperature?

The difference between a good cup of coffee and an exceptional one often comes down to precision - and water temperature plays a crucial role in this delicate balance. Understanding how temperature affects extraction can transform your morning ritual, no matter how you love to brew your coffee. In this guide, we explore why temperature matters, how it impacts different roasts, and how to dial in the perfect temperature for your preferred brewing method. Why does water temperature matter when brewing coffee? Water temperature significantly affects coffee extraction and flavor. When brewing coffee, the ideal water temperature is between 195-205°F (90-96°C).  Here's why it matters: At these optimal temperatures, water effectively extracts the desirable compounds from coffee grounds - including caffeine, oils, and various flavor molecules that give coffee its distinctive taste and aroma. If the water is too hot (above 205°F), it can over-extract the coffee, pulling out bitter compounds and creating a harsh, burnt taste. The high temperature can also scald the coffee grounds, destroying some of the more delicate flavor compounds. You'll get under-extraction if the water is too cool (below 195°F). The water won't be hot enough to properly dissolve and extract many of the coffee's flavor compounds. This results in weak, sour, flat-tasting coffee that lacks complexity and body. This is why many coffee professionals avoid brewing with boiling water (212°F/100°C) and typically let it cool slightly after boiling. It's also why cold brew uses a completely different process. The lower temperature requires much longer extraction times (usually 12-24 hours) to properly extract the coffee's flavors. Can the water temperature affect caffeine? Yes, water temperature does affect caffeine extraction from coffee grounds, though perhaps not as dramatically as it affects flavor compounds. Here's how it works: Caffeine is actually quite water-soluble and extracts relatively easily compared to many other compounds in coffee. Hot water (195-205°F) will extract caffeine more quickly and efficiently than cold water. However, given enough time, cold water can extract similar amounts of caffeine - this is why cold brew coffee isn't necessarily lower in caffeine than hot brewed coffee. What's interesting is that: Near-boiling water (above 205°F) doesn't actually extract significantly more caffeine than water at the ideal brewing temperature. Cold water will eventually extract about the same amount of caffeine as hot water, it just takes much longer (hence the long steeping time for cold brew). The biggest factor in caffeine content isn't actually water temperature but rather the coffee-to-water ratio and the type of beans used. So, while temperature does impact how quickly caffeine extracts, it has a much more noticeable effect on flavor compounds than on final caffeine content. If you're primarily concerned about caffeine content, factors like bean selection and brew ratio will make a bigger difference than water temperature. Determining Your Temperature Based on Roast Type and Brewing Method The ideal water temperature varies based on both the roast level and the brewing method. Here's how to think about these relationships: For Roast Levels: Light roasts benefit from hotter water (200-205°F) because they're denser and need more energy to properly extract the complex acids and flavors. Medium roasts  work well at standard temperatures (195-200°F). Dark roasts are best with slightly cooler water (190-195°F) since they're more porous and extract more easily. Plus, cooler water helps avoid bringing out too much bitterness. For Brewing Methods: Pour-over methods like V60 or Chemex: Start at 200-205°F to account for heat loss during pouring French Press: 200°F works well since the water temperature stays relatively stable during steeping AeroPress: More flexible, but 175-195°F often works well due to the pressure-assisted extraction Espresso: Typically 190-196°F, as the pressure allows for efficient extraction at lower temperatures Cold brew: Room temperature or cold water (35-70°F) You can fine-tune within these ranges based on taste: If your coffee tastes sour or weak, try increasing the temperature slightly If it's bitter or harsh, try decreasing the temperature For lighter roasts that taste too acidic, you might drop the temperature slightly to mellow them out For dark roasts that taste too bitter, reducing temperature can help highlight the chocolate notes Here's what makes coffee brewing so fascinating. While these temperature guidelines are helpful starting points, your personal taste preferences should always be the ultimate guide. Don't be afraid to experiment outside these ranges and note how different temperatures affect the flavors you enjoy most. Try brewing the same coffee at a few different temperatures and pay attention to how the flavor changes. You might find that you prefer your light roast at a slightly lower temperature than recommended, or that your dark roast tastes better to you with hotter water. There's no "wrong" way to enjoy your coffee. The best temperature is the one that produces the cup you love most. This kind of experimentation and discovery is part of what makes coffee such an engaging hobby. If you want to learn more, check out our guide, How to Make a Perfect Cup of Coffee. Find the Perfect Coffee Roast For You at San Francisco Bay Coffee Looking for high-quality beans? Consider trying different coffees from San Francisco Bay Coffee - this will give you the perfect opportunity to experiment with various brewing temperatures and discover the nuances each degree can bring to your cup. Shop our collection today!

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