Cold Brew Coffee Beans: Make It With Whole Arabica

The Kaapiswada family · 2026-10-23

For cold brew, choose medium roast whole Arabica beans, grind them coarse just before brewing, steep them in cold water for 12 to 18 hours, then strain and dilute. You need no machine, only a jar, water, time and a clean cloth or strainer.

Cold brew is a smoother, gentler way to drink coffee, and it is easy to make at home from the same beans you would grind for filter kaapi. We grow Arabica on our own estate in Chikmagalur and here is how we make it.

What are the best cold brew coffee beans?

Almost any fresh whole bean works, but a few choices make it easier.

Medium roast. It gives a balanced, smooth cup. Very dark roasts can turn bitter and heavy in a long steep.
100% Arabica. With no chicory or filler, you taste the bean itself. Our Roastswada is a good fit (like Kaapiswada Roastswada: 100% Arabica whole beans from our own Chikmagalur estate, medium roast).
Whole beans. Grinding fresh just before the steep gives a much livelier cup than coffee that was ground weeks ago. See how to store whole beans.

How to make cold brew with whole Arabica beans

You will need:

100 g whole Arabica beans
800 ml cold, clean water (roughly one part coffee to eight parts water, which makes a concentrate)
A large jar with a lid
A fine strainer, muslin or a paper coffee filter

Steps:

Grind coarse. Aim for rough sea-salt size. A mixie in very short pulses works; stop before it turns to powder. Too fine makes the brew cloudy and bitter.
Mix. Put the grounds in the jar, pour in the cold water and stir so every grain is wet.
Steep. Cover and leave for 12 to 18 hours, in the fridge or at room temperature. Start with 12 and taste; steep longer for a stronger brew.
Strain. Pour through the strainer, then once more through muslin or a paper filter for a cleaner cup.
Dilute and serve. Mix the concentrate with cold water or milk, about half and half, and pour over ice. Adjust to taste.

Keep the concentrate covered in the fridge and use it within a few days.

Cold brew with filter kaapi powder

If you only have ground filter coffee, you can still make cold brew; just use a coarser-feeling approach, steep a little shorter and strain well. The result is cloudier than one made from freshly ground whole beans. For a chilled filter-style drink with milk, our iced filter coffee guide is the easier route.

Why is my cold brew bitter or weak?

Bitter or muddy: the grind was too fine or the steep too long. Grind coarser and steep 12 hours next time.
Weak or watery: too much water or too short a steep. Use less water, steep longer, or dilute less.
Sour or flat: the beans were stale. Fresh beans matter even in cold brew. See how to tell freshly roasted coffee beans.

If you want to try it, see our Roastswada whole Arabica beans, or browse everything on the products page. Prefer a hot cup? See how to brew whole Arabica coffee beans at home.

For a clean, bright cold brew, Pureswada 100% Arabica works well too, and our guide to Arabica coffee beans in India explains why.

Questions people ask

Which coffee beans are best for cold brew? Fresh, medium roast whole beans, ground coarse. 100% Arabica gives a smooth, clear cup with no chicory flavour.

What grind size is best for cold brew? Coarse, like rough sea salt. A fine grind over-extracts in a long steep and tastes bitter and muddy.

How long should I steep cold brew? Between 12 and 18 hours. Taste at 12 hours and steep longer if you want it stronger.

Can I make cold brew from ground filter coffee? Yes, though it is cloudier and less clear than cold brew from freshly ground whole beans. Strain it well through a cloth or paper filter.

How long does cold brew last? Keep the concentrate covered in the fridge and drink it within a few days for the best taste.