What Are These White Specks in My Cold Brew?
You pour yourself a glass of cold brew, and there they are: tiny white specks floating on the surface, perhaps even a thin layer of oil catching the light. Should you be concerned? What you’re seeing are natural coffee oils that have solidified. It’s not mold, and it’s not residue from our filters. These oils are a testament to the authenticity of our craft—they are always present in coffee, but are more noticeable in cold brew due to the unique way it’s made.
Understanding Coffee Oils
Coffee is full of aromatic, flavorful oils that give it richness, depth, and character. In hot brewing methods, these oils dissolve easily into the liquid, becoming part of the cup. But cold brew is a different process. Instead of hot water, we use cold, filtered water, and we brew at a higher concentration, slowly extracting over time, meaning more of these oils and dissolved solids remain in the final brew. If your cold brew is stored at a very cold temperature (like in the back of a fridge), these oils can solidify and rise to the surface, forming those small white specks.
This occurrence is similar to what happens with certain unfiltered coffees, like French press or espresso, where natural oils remain in the cup. It’s part of what gives coffee its mouthfeel, complexity, and lingering finish.
Why Don’t We Remove Them?
Coffee is full of naturally occurring oils that contribute to its body, aroma, and depth of flavor, and those oils belong there. They are an essential part of what makes our cold brew taste rich and smooth. Stripping them away would mean losing some of the body, flavor, and natural sweetness that make cold brew so unique. We believe in keeping our cold brew true to the coffee itself—preserving the full experience, just as it was meant to be.
Cold brew is about simplicity—removing those oils would require additional processing, altering the natural character of the coffee. Instead, we embrace them as a sign of quality, an indicator that your cold brew is made with carefully sourced coffee, and nothing else.
What Should You Do?
Simply let your cold brew sit at room temperature for a few minutes and give it a gentle swirl. The oils will naturally reintegrate into the brew, and you’re good to go. But as with any coffee, it’s always a good idea to keep an eye on freshness and storage. Keeping your cold brew sealed and stored properly will help maintain its best flavor.
At Unbound Brews, we craft our cold brew to honor the essence of the coffee itself—rich, smooth, and naturally sweet. Those little specks? Just proof that you’re drinking a cold brew made with care, precision, and a respect for the bean.