Cold Home-Brewed Coffee is Easy

The Same Process Makes a Great Ice Cream

At my home, we love our coffee. I enjoy one or two double espressos in the morning. A cold brew in the afternoon. Followed by an after-dinner espresso in the evening to help me concentrate on sleeping.

I was surprised to learn on a long journey through Italy, the home of espresso, that cappuccino is a beverage consumed in the morning. The added milk is considered too heavy later in the day.

The espresso machine was created in 1901 by Luigi Bezzera. It was a fast (think industrial) method to produce cups of coffee for busy workers. Not unlike the baristas at your local coffee shop, Luigi’s machine could produce a fresh cup of coffee in 30 seconds or less.

Done right, an espresso produces a rich coffee, under a “crema”. The crema traps the aromatic flavors of the coffee.

When the sun is high and the sky is blue, a smooth cup of cold brew is the perfect mid-day beverage.

Cold Brew

First, let's just say that cold brew is not just cold coffee. When done right, cold brew is created without heat. The lack of heat creates a coffee that is not bitter and is less acidic. It is a smooth brew. It also has a higher concentration of caffeine.

I have tried bottles of cold brew from stores with mixed results. Some were bitter, and some were acidic, which makes me believe they were not truly cold brew. The best cold brew can be made at home. It is an easy process.

Homemade Cold Brew

There is not one method for making cold brews. You can use a mason jar and cheesecloth, you can also use coffee filters. I use a stainless steel French press.

How To

1. My espresso measure includes a coffee grinder. I set the grind to coarse.
2. Add 1 cup of coarse coffee grounds to the 1-quart French press.
3. Fill halfway with water and stir vigorously.
4. Add more water and fill to the top of the spout.
5. Cover and refrigerate.

I cover my press with plastic cling wrap. I let it “cold” brew for a few days. When it is ready for the decanter, I skim off the thick scum of the grounds from the top. This is required, otherwise, the press will get stuck. I then press the coffee.

The resulting coffee is more caffeinated than a normal brew, just a little bit more than an espresso. But the drink is a lot easier on the palate and stomach.

Cold Brewed Coffee Ice Cream with Rum and Chocolate Chips

If you make your own ice cream, you can make this ice cream. Rather than use water in the French Press, use half and half (half full cream, half whole milk).

How To:

1. My espresso machine includes a coffee grinder. I set the grind to coarse.
2. Add 1 cup of coarse coffee grounds to the 1-quart French press.
3. Add two cups of half and half, and stir vigorously.
4. Cover and refrigerate for two days.
5. Remove the coffee scum and press the coffee and half-and-half mixture as shown in the video above.
6. Mix the cold brew cream with the following: - Two cups of full cream - Half a cup of sugar - Dash of salt - A splash of Rum for flavor - Half or more cup of ground chocolate chips - 1 teaspoon of vanilla
7. Process in your favorite ice cream maker, such as the KitchenAid I used below:

Around the world, there are various versions of cold brew coffee, such as “Dutch Cold Brew” and “Kobe Cold Brew.” The world may be ready for yet another version, your version. The next time you look at your French press, consider making your style of cold brew coffee.

Where to go from here

Cold brew coffee with oat milk (or dairy) contains lipids that will attach to the capsaicinoids of hot spices like chili. It will cool the burn. Cold brew can help you explore a world of flavors. To learn more about spicy food try these two articles from “One Table, One World”: