Coffee Concentrate: Definition, Types, Caffeine, and How to Make

Coffee concentrate is a highly concentrated undiluted form of filter or full immersion brewed coffee. Coffee concentrate uses more grounds and less water to create a strong condensed liquid. There are seven main types of coffee concentrates including cold brew, iced, decaf, and more. Coffee concentrate is healthy in moderation but delivers more caffeine per serving than drip coffee, espresso, or cold brew.

To make Coffee concentrate, grind medium–dark beans coarsely, steep at a 1:4 ratio for 12–24 hours cold or 4–6 minutes hot, then strain and store the liquid to dilute with water or milk. The best coffee beans for concentrate are medium to dark roast Arabica from Colombia, Brazil, or Guatemala. These beans provide smooth, bold flavor with low acidity and chocolate or nut notes. Freshly roasted beans from specialty stores like Colipse preserve taste, aroma, and freshness longer than store-bought beans. Coffee concentrate differs by using a higher coffee-to-water ratio that creates a stronger, smoother, and longer-lasting brew.

What is Coffee Concentrate?

Coffee concentrate is a highly concentrated undiluted form of filter or full immersion brewed coffee. Coffee concentrate uses a higher coffee-to-water ratio to produce a stronger, more condensed liquid. The ingredients in liquid coffee concentrate typically include coffee and water only, without additives like sugar, cream, or artificial flavors. Coffee concentrate is less acidic and bitter than hot-brewed coffee.

Is coffee concentrate the same as coffee? No, the main difference between coffee and coffee concentrate is strength and dilution. Coffee is brewed for immediate consumption, while coffee concentrate is brewed stronger and must be diluted before you drink it. Concentrate offers longer shelf life, convenience, and more versatility in hot or iced coffee drinks. Coffee concentrate comes in bottled brands like Javy, Grady's, and Califia Farms for convenience, or can be made at home by brewing strong coffee and reducing it.

What Does Coffee Concentrate Mean?

Coffee concentrate means a strong brewed coffee that requires dilution before drinking. Coffee concentrate uses more grounds and less water to create a strong condensed liquid. It does not mean instant coffee, espresso, or a ready-to-drink beverage. Terms like coffee concentrate, whole coffee fruit concentrate, and coffee extract also have different meanings. Whole coffee fruit concentrate comes from the whole cherry, including pulp and skin, and provides antioxidants and caffeine. Coffee extract is a flavoring made by steeping roasted beans in alcohol or water and used in baking.

What are the Different Types of Coffee Concentrates?

The five different types of coffee concentrates are listed below.

1. Cold Brew Concentrate
2. Iced Coffee Concentrate
3. Decaf Coffee Concentrate
4. Chicory Coffee Concentrate
5. Frozen Coffee Concentrate
6. Flavored Coffee Concentrate
7. Espresso Concentrate

1. Cold Brew Coffee Concentrate

Cold brew coffee concentrate is a strong, low-acid coffee extract made by steeping coarse grounds in cold water for 12–24 hours, designed to be diluted before drinking. The ideal cold brew concentrate ratio is about 1:4 coffee to water, with some variations between 1:3 and 1:6 depending on strength preference. You should not drink cold brew concentrate straight as it is very strong and high in caffeine; instead, dilute it with equal parts water or milk for the best taste and to avoid caffeine jitters.

2. Iced Coffee Concentrate

Iced coffee concentrate is strong concentrated coffee brewed. It has higher coffee-to-water ratio with cold water and longer steeping time, designed for dilution before drinking. The ideal iced concentrate ratio is 1 part concentrate to 1 part water or milk, adjustable to taste. While you can drink iced concentrate straight, it is too strong and bitter; it is best diluted as base for iced coffee drinks or other beverages.

3. Decaf Coffee Concentrate

Decaf Coffee Concentrate delivers a cold brew base from decaffeinated beans with 0–5 mg of caffeine per serving to provide fast coffee without jitters. Decaf espresso concentrate and decaf coffee concentrate share similarities but differ because espresso uses espresso extraction while coffee concentrate uses cold brew. The easiest recipe for decaf cold brew concentrate steeps coarsely ground decaf beans in a 1:4 water ratio for 12–24 hours. The best decaf cold brew concentrate brands include Stumptown Coffee Roasters, Starbucks, High Brew Coffee, La Colombe, and Blue Bottle Coffee.

4. Chicory Coffee Concentrate

Chicory coffee concentrate is made from the roasted and ground root of the chicory plant, brewed as a concentrated coffee, like beverage often blended with coffee. Chicory coffee is naturally caffeine-free, so it is not a stimulant like regular coffee. It adds a rich, slightly sweet, earthy flavor to coffee and reduces bitterness while enhancing the overall taste profile without adding caffeine.

5. Frozen Coffee Concentrate

Frozen coffee concentrate is a strong, low-acid coffee extract that can be diluted for drinking. Frozen coffee concentrate pods are pre-measured portions of this concentrate, typically frozen for convenience and easy use. To make frozen coffee concentrate, brew a strong cold brew coffee concentrate and then freeze it in portions or pods. Drinking frozen coffee made from concentrate is generally good as it retains coffee’s flavor and caffeine with lower acidity.

6. Flavored Coffee Concentrate

Flavored coffee concentrate is a concentrated brew that is stronger than regular coffee. It is infused with flavors like vanilla, caramel, cinnamon, or chocolate. Different flavors include pumpkin spice, caramel, mocha, hazelnut, and cinnamon, added during brewing or as extracts. To make flavored coffee concentrate, steep coarse grounds in cold water for 12–24 hours, strain, and add flavorings like vanilla extract or cinnamon. The best flavored coffee concentrate comes from specialty brands such as Jot, Javy, Chameleon, and La Colombe.

7. Espresso Coffee Concentrate

Espresso coffee delivers bold espresso flavor in a liquid extract that is diluted before drinking. Espresso cold brew concentrate is prepared by steeping coffee grounds in cold water for hours to produce a smooth, intense espresso-like concentrate. Nescafé espresso concentrate is a potent liquid coffee made from premium beans for quick preparation of espresso-style drinks. Espresso iced concentrate refers to espresso used as a base for iced coffee drinks, providing strong flavor and caffeine in convenient form.

Is Coffee Concentrate Healthy?

Yes, coffee concentrate can be considered healthy when consumed in moderation because it contains antioxidants and bioactive compounds such as polyphenols that support metabolic and cardiovascular health. It is not inherently bad for you, but its concentrated caffeine can cause jitters, anxiety, or sleep issues if consumed in excess. While often less acidic than hot brewed coffee, it may still trigger heartburn or stomach upset in sensitive individuals. The overall health impact depends on serving size, proper dilution, and mindful consumption, which make it a safe option for most people.

Does Coffee Concentrate Have Caffeine?

Yes, coffee concentrate does contains caffeine. When undiluted, coffee concentrate has about 40–100 milligrams (mg) of caffeine per ounce (oz). Regular drip coffee contains about 12–20 mg of caffeine per oz. The higher caffeine level in coffee concentrate comes from its stronger coffee-to-water ratio of 1:3 to 1:5. An 8 oz serving of diluted coffee concentrate (1:1 or 1:2 with water) typically contains 160–400 mg of caffeine. A standard 8 oz cup of drip coffee contains about 95–145 mg of caffeine. Diluted coffee concentrate usually equals or surpasses drip coffee in caffeine content, flavor strength, and potency.

The caffeine content in coffee concentrate varies by brands. For example, Javy Coffee concentrate contains about 60-70 mg caffeine per 2 fl oz serving. Black Rifle Coffee concentrate is estimated to have about 50 mg caffeine per ounce of concentrate. Monin Coffee concentrate has around 50 mg caffeine per ounce. Starbucks Coffee concentrate varies, but typically holds about 50-70 mg caffeine per fluid ounce.

How to Make Coffee Concentrate?

Coffee concentrate is produced through a precise process that extracts maximum flavor from medium or dark roasted Arabica beans. Beans are ground to medium-coarse consistency at 800–1000 microns to optimize surface area for extraction. The ground coffee is steeped in water at a 1:4 ratio using cold or hot brewing methods. Cold brewing involves steeping at 4–20°C for 12–24 hours. Hot brewing uses water at 90–96°C for 4–6 minutes to accelerate extraction. To make coffee concentrate, follow the five steps below.

1. Grind coffee beans to a coarse texture for best cold brew extraction.
2. Mix coffee grounds with cold or room-temperature water in a ratio of about 1 cup grounds to 4 cups water.
3. Steep the mixture for 12 to 24 hours at room temperature or in the refrigerator.
4. Strain the liquid through a fine mesh, cheesecloth, or coffee filter to remove grounds.
5. Store the concentrate in a sealed container in the refrigerator for up to two weeks and dilute with water or milk before drinking.

How to Use Coffee Concentrate?

To use coffee concentrate, dilute it with water or milk to match taste preference. Coffee concentrate is used for making hot or iced coffee, lattes, and cocktails like espresso martinis. It adds strong flavor to smoothies, baked goods, and desserts such as tiramisu or ice cream syrup. Here are five common ways to drink or use coffee concentrate.

• Coffee Syrup: Use coffee concentrate for syrup by combining equal parts coffee concentrate and sugar in a saucepan, then heating until the sugar dissolves. Simmer lightly for 5–10 minutes to thicken. Cool before storing in a sealed container.
• Espresso Martini: Use coffee concentrate for an espresso martini by replacing freshly brewed espresso with one ounce of concentrate. Shake 1 oz coffee concentrate, 2 oz vodka, and ½ oz coffee liqueur with ice, then strain into a chilled martini glass. Garnish with three coffee beans for a classic finish.
• Smoothies: Use coffee concentrate in smoothies by blending 1–2 ounces with fruits, milk or milk alternatives, and ice for a creamy texture. Add protein powder, nut butter, or cocoa for extra nutrition and flavor. Dilute the concentrate before blending if you want a lighter caffeine boost.
• Tiramisu: Use coffee concentrate for tiramisu by diluting it slightly with water to mimic the strength of espresso. Soak ladyfinger biscuits briefly in the diluted concentrate to avoid sogginess. Layer the soaked biscuits with mascarpone cream, repeating until full. Finish with a dusting of cocoa powder. The concentrate provides rich coffee flavor.
• Iced Coffee: Use coffee concentrate for iced coffee by mixing one part concentrate with one to two parts cold water, then pour over ice. Adjust the ratio for stronger or lighter taste. Add milk, cream, or sweetener if desired. Always dilute to avoid excessive caffeine and bitterness.

Can you drink coffee concentrate straight? Yes, you can, but it is not recommended because it has a much higher caffeine concentration than diluted coffee. Drinking it straight can cause jitters, rapid heartbeat, stomach irritation, or insomnia in sensitive people. Most coffee concentrates require dilution with water or milk in the correct ratio before drinking.

The amount of coffee concentrate to use depends on brew strength, caffeine tolerance, recipe instructions, and flavor intensity. Most cold brew concentrates dilute at a 1:1 to 1:3 ratio with water or milk. Stronger concentrates need more dilution, while taste and caffeine sensitivity guide final amounts.

What are the Best Coffee Beans to Make Concentrate?

The best coffee beans to make coffee concentrate are freshly roasted, medium to dark roast Arabica beans because they provide a smooth, bold flavor and lower acidity. Arabica beans from regions like Colombia, Brazil, or Guatemala create smooth cold brew concentrate with chocolatey or nutty notes. Coarse grinding avoids over-extraction and keeps the brew balanced.

Use fresh coffee beans from specialty coffee brands, like Colipse, to make concentrate because they retain oils, aromatics, and antioxidants that enhance flavor and health benefits. Store-bought beans lose freshness within weeks due to oxidation, creating flat or bitter taste. Fresh beans yield richer, smoother, and consistent concentrate.

Where to Buy Coffee Beans to Make Coffee Concentrate?

You can buy coffee beans for coffee concentrate from online specialty coffee stores like Colipse, which sells fresh-roasted beans designed for cold brew concentrate. We offer freshly roasted whole beans and coarse grounds with options from medium to dark roasts, tailored for different concentrate strengths. Our coffee prices range from $19.95 to $24.95 per 12 oz bag, including shipping and taxes. We ship coffee in resealable bags that keep it fresh, with sizes for both single cups and big batches.

How Does Coffee Concentrate Compare to Other Coffees?

The main difference between coffee concentrate and other coffees is its strength and preparation. Coffee concentrate, usually made through cold brewing, is a highly concentrated liquid meant to be diluted before drinking. Compared to espresso, it has lower acidity and a smoother flavor but less crema. Unlike instant coffee, coffee concentrate is brewed from real grounds and retains more natural compounds. Compared to regular brewed coffee, it is stronger, lasts longer in storage, and offers more flexibility for iced or hot drinks.

What is the Difference between Coffee Concentrate and Cold Brew?

The primary difference between coffee concentrate and cold brew is strength and dilution. Coffee concentrate is a stronger form of cold brew created with a higher coffee-to-water ratio, usually 1:4, and is meant to be diluted before drinking. Regular cold brew uses a weaker ratio, around 1:8, and can be consumed immediately. Concentrate lasts longer in storage and offers versatility for hot or iced drinks, while cold brew coffee is ready-to-drink with a smoother, milder taste.

Does Coffee Concentrate Go Bad?

Yes, coffee concentrate does go bad, with a typical shelf life of 1 to 2 weeks when stored properly in an airtight container in the refrigerator. It needs to be refrigerated to prevent spoilage; leaving it outside the fridge shortens its freshness to just a few hours and risks harmful bacterial growth. While freezing is generally not recommended, refrigeration preserves the flavor and safety best for coffee concentrate.

What are the Best Coffee Concentrate Brands?

The seven best coffee concentrate brands are listed below.

1. Starbucks Signature Black Cold Brew Coffee Concentrate
2. Kloo Coffee Concentrate
3. Great Value Donut Shop Cold Brew Coffee Concentrate
4. Explorer Decaf Cold Brew Concentrate
5. Stumptown Cold Brew Concentrate
6. Javy Protein Coffee Concentrate
7. Explorer Cold Brew Subscription