It started with me, of course, after I turned 40 and my stomach seemed to balk at every thing I ate and drank and so I became "one of those" people who pays a whole lot more attention to what I put in it. But it was only when my doctor suggested reducing my coffee intake - how could I possibly do that - I simply had to find a way to enjoy my guilty pleasure.
The pleasure of coffee is a combination of three components: acidity, body and flavor, which occur in varying levels depending on where the coffee is grown and at what altitude.
COLD PRESS COFFEE
What is cold press coffee and how is acidity, body and flavor affected by a cold brew method of preparation? Cold press coffee is a coffee concentrate that can be diluted with hot or cold water. In a drip coffee system, various compounds from the coffee are extracted using hot water. With the cold press method of preparation the level of acidity is reduced anywhere from 1/3 to 1/2 because it leaves behind the many oils that render coffee bitter.
This is good news for those with sensitive stomachs. Without acidity, the coffee achieves an exceptional smoothness unequaled in filtered coffee. The lack of bitterness reduces the flavor to some degree but you still might decide it's worth the effort.
How to Make Cold Press Coffee
1. Put 1lb of medium/coarse ground coffee in a container.
2. Pour 9 cups of cold filtered water all over it but do not stir.
3. Let sit overnight at least 8 - 12 hours.
4. Strain through a filter or cheesecloth and strainer into a container.
5. Refrigerate up to one week.
6. Dilute one part coffee concentrate to three parts hot or cold water.
The Good News About Cold Press Coffee
1. Cold press coffee is extremely smooth.
2. The acidity is significantly reduced.
3. You can serve one cup at a time so there is virtually no waste.
4. It has about 1/2 the caffeine of a regular cup of coffee.
5. You can use it to bake* with, and for making ice cubes.
6. Environmentally-friendly - no hydro, no batteries!
The not-so-good news is you just might miss the acidity in the coffee more than you think, plus overall the flavor is not as interesting (think, blander), after all there are only three components that influence the taste of coffee. However, it seems to me a great way to enjoy an iced latte - a little coffee concentrate or coffee ice cubes, a squeeze of chocolate syrup, some milk, and a blender.
Or how about just drizzling some over ice cream? What a fun and easy way to entertain a large number of guests, and just one more way to enjoy the world's most popular wake-up beverage.
Brownie Recipe served with Cold Press Coffee
1cup flour
1tsp baking powder
1tsp salt
1cup soft butter
1cup cocoa
1cup white sugar
1 cup brown sugar
4 large eggs
1 cup nuts (if desired)
1-1/2tsp vanilla
Mix together flour, baking powder and salt in a saucepan, melt the butter.
Remove from heat and stir in cocoa, white and brown sugars.
Mix in eggs.
Blend in dry ingredients to the chocolate mixture, and add nuts and vanilla.
Bake at 350F for 30 minutes.
Serve with your favorite cold press coffee beverage.
