Pantry Basics

A New Brew
July 29, 2010 • Posted by Jennifer Perillo

It’s ironic that most people need a cup of coffee to get going, yet putting up a pot requires a caffeine-energy boost. Sure you can program your coffeemaker, but if you’re like me and prefer to save energy, then you know those small appliances can be a drain on your electric bill if kept plugged in when not in use.

A good answer to this early morning java dilemma is cold-brewed coffee. Just set up a pot of French press with ground coffee and water from your Cuisinart CleanWater, and all you’ll need to do in the a.m. is pour and enjoy. A few tips for starting out:

  • Accuracy is everything, so add this to the many reasons you’ve been meaning to buy a kitchen scale.
  • Stir it up. Before tucking in for the night don’t forget to stir the grinds and water. Otherwise only the top layer will steep, leaving you disappointed come the morning.
  • No French Press, No Cry. While a French press worked best in my test batches, you can use this method in a pitcher or container and simply pour through a fine sieve or strainer, though it may take an extra pass-though for a grind-free cup of coffee.

Cold-Brewed Coffee
Makes 3 double-strength cups

Whether you drink this black, with milk or cream, remember it’s double strength, so dilute it with equal parts of the liquid of your choosing (1:1 ratio, for example 4 ounces coffee with 4 ounces milk). As for the grind, medium works best if you're using the press method as directed below.

42 grams drip-ground coffee (medium-textured)
3 cups/24 ounces/675 ml cold water

Add the coffee to a French press pot. Pour in the water and stir. Do not skip this step or else the grinds will not steep properly. Trust me, I speak from experience. Cover with a plate or rest the press cover on top, but do not plunge. Let "brew" at room temperature for 8 to 10 hours (I find the last 2 hours don't make a huge difference but don't want you setting your alarm just to push the press down—that'd be plain silly).

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Comments

Add New Comment | Blog Comments (1):

September 2, 2010 9:14 AM Jean at The Delightful Repast
Maybe it's just too early in the morning and I'm not seeing it, but is this coffee drunk at room temperature or do you somehow heat it up?
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