Cold brew coffee concentrate
Cold brew coffee concentrate suppliers and sourcing guide
Cold brew coffee concentrate is made by steeping ground roasted coffee (mostly Coffea arabica, sometimes robusta) in cool or room-temperature water for many hours, then filtering out the grounds. The extract is sold at a set strength, often measured in total dissolved solids or Brix, and is diluted with water or milk. Because it is a low-acid liquid, commercial concentrate is usually pasteurized, filled aseptically or sold refrigerated or frozen.
- Category
- Food staples and powders
- Also known as
- cold brew concentrate · liquid coffee extract · coffee concentrate · Coffea arabica
- Facts checked
- November 2026
Forms and grades of cold brew coffee concentrate
Suppliers sell different products under the same name. Specify the one you need.
Refrigerated concentrate
Short shelf life, kept cold from filling to use.
Shelf-stable (aseptic or retorted) concentrate
Thermally processed for ambient storage; heat changes flavor somewhat.
Frozen concentrate
Frozen extract that keeps longer and is thawed before use.
Decaffeinated, organic and single-origin
Made from decaf, certified organic or single-origin beans.
Nitro-ready and RTD bases
Concentrates designed for dilution in nitrogenated or ready-to-drink coffee.
What to check on the COA
Compare each result with your own specification when the lot arrives.
- Strength (TDS or Brix)
- Total dissolved solids by refractometer or Brix, which sets the dilution ratio.
- Caffeine
- Caffeine by HPLC, needed if the label or customer states a caffeine amount.
- pH
- pH of the concentrate, which decides the processing and food safety controls needed.
- Microbiology
- Total plate count, yeast and mold, and coliforms; for shelf-stable product, commercial sterility checks.
- Sensory
- Cupping or tasting against a reference sample, since extraction time and temperature change flavor.
Storage, lots and expiry
Storage and shelf life
Refrigerated concentrate is held cold and used within the supplier's stated period; frozen product is kept frozen and thawed under refrigeration. Shelf-stable product is stored as labeled and refrigerated after opening. Shelf life comes from the supplier's spec for each format.
Lots and expiry dates
Strength, caffeine and flavor vary with bean lot, roast and extraction run, so record TDS or Brix and caffeine per lot and taste against a reference. Rotate first-expiring lots first (FEFO), especially for refrigerated product.
Regulatory status
Facts from regulators and standards bodies, each linked to its source.
USDA's Commercial Item Description A-A-20184C for soluble coffee includes Type IV, liquid coffee extracts (also known as liquid concentrate), described as concentrated coffee in liquid or frozen form; it does not specify cold brewing.
Source: ams.usda.gov (opens in a new tab)A-A-20184C states that the coffee beans are processed using roasting, brew extraction and concentrating.
Source: ams.usda.gov (opens in a new tab)
This is general information, not regulatory advice. Status differs by country and by how the ingredient is used, so check the rules for your product and market.
Cold brew coffee concentrate suppliers
Manufacturers and distributors whose own websites say they sell it.
We are checking cold brew coffee concentrate suppliers now
Every listing is checked against the supplier’s own website before it goes live, so this list fills in over the coming weeks. The specs and COA checklist above are ready today.
Sell cold brew coffee concentrate? Request a listingFrequently asked questions
What forms of cold brew coffee concentrate can brands buy?
Common forms include refrigerated concentrate, shelf-stable (aseptic or retorted) concentrate, frozen concentrate, decaffeinated, organic and single-origin and nitro-ready and RTD bases. Ask each supplier for the specification sheet of the exact grade they quote.
What should the COA for cold brew coffee concentrate include?
Expect strength (TDS or Brix), caffeine, pH, microbiology and sensory, each with its method, specification and result for that lot.
How should cold brew coffee concentrate be stored?
Refrigerated concentrate is held cold and used within the supplier's stated period; frozen product is kept frozen and thawed under refrigeration. Shelf-stable product is stored as labeled and refrigerated after opening. Shelf life comes from the supplier's spec for each format.
What is the regulatory status of cold brew coffee concentrate?
USDA's Commercial Item Description A-A-20184C for soluble coffee includes Type IV, liquid coffee extracts (also known as liquid concentrate), described as concentrated coffee in liquid or frozen form; it does not specify cold brewing. A-A-20184C states that the coffee beans are processed using roasting, brew extraction and concentrating.
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