Cold brew is one of the simplest ways to make great coffee at home.
No special equipment. No fancy technique. Just coffee, water, a little patience, and time.
It's also the inspiration behind our newest FIKA Cold Brew Blend, a coffee we created specifically for smooth, refreshing cold brew.
Why Is It Called FIKA?
The name comes from the Swedish tradition of fika (pronounced fee-kah).
More than just a coffee break, fika is a daily ritual of slowing down, sharing a cup of coffee, enjoying something delicious, and taking a moment to appreciate the day. Whether it's with friends, family, coworkers, or simply by yourself, the idea is the same: life is better when we make time to pause.
That felt like the perfect inspiration for a coffee designed to brew slowly.
Cold Brew vs. Iced Coffee
Although they're often confused, cold brew and iced coffee are made in completely different ways.
Iced coffee is brewed hot and then cooled over ice. Cold brew, on the other hand, never sees hot water. Instead, coarse-ground coffee steeps in room-temperature water for about 24 hours.
Because heat isn't involved, cold brew extracts fewer of the oils and acids that are present in hot coffee. The result is a smooth, mellow cup that's naturally lower in acidity.
One thing to keep in mind is that cold brewing also softens many of coffee's delicate flavor notes. If you're chasing every floral or fruit note in a light roast, hot brewing is usually the better choice. Cold brew is all about balance, sweetness, and easy drinking.
Why Coarse Coffee Matters
The grind size is one of the biggest factors in making great cold brew.
If the coffee is ground too fine, it can over-extract during its long steep, leading to bitterness and muddy flavors.
If it's ground too coarse, the water can't extract enough from the coffee, leaving the brew weak or sour.
For cold brew, we recommend a coarse grind similar to what you'd use for a French press—about the texture of coarse sea salt.
Hansa Coffee's Home Cold Brew Recipe
This recipe makes approximately 48 ounces of ready-to-drink cold brew.
You'll Need
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48 ounces (6 cups) cold, filtered water
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4.8 ounces (about 136 grams, or roughly 1½ cups) coarsely ground Hansa FIKA Cold Brew Blend
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A large jar or pitcher
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A mesh strainer lined with cheesecloth, a clean tea towel, or a paper filter
Directions
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Add the coarse coffee grounds to your brewing vessel.
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Pour in just enough water to fully saturate the grounds, then gently stir to eliminate any dry pockets.
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Add the remaining water.
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Cover the container and let it steep at room temperature for 24 hours.
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Strain the coffee through a fine mesh strainer lined with cheesecloth, a clean towel, or a paper filter.
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Transfer to the refrigerator and enjoy over ice.
Your cold brew will stay fresh in the refrigerator for about a week.
Slow Coffee for Slower Moments
Cold brew is wonderfully uncomplicated. It asks for almost nothing from you except a few minutes of preparation and the patience to let time do the work.
That's exactly why we named our blend FIKA.
Whether you're making a batch for busy weekday mornings or sharing a pitcher with friends on a summer afternoon, we hope it encourages you to slow down, savor the moment, and enjoy a little fika of your own.
