All you need is a Mason jar that you likely already have, and a brewing basket that is relatively inexpensive and available in most kitchen or domestic departments of your local department store or kitchen store. The brewing basket is easy to clean and will last a very long time and it can be used to make hot coffee, instant espresso, iced tea, hot tea, herbal infusions or even fruit infusions, so having one has its advantages, but, I do include suggestions for making cold brew without the need to purchase the brewing basket. And for that matter, if you do not have a mason jar, any jar or container will work. So save one of those otherwise recycled jars to make your cold brew. The jar or container just needs to have an opening large enough to fit the brewing basket.
Ingredients:
1/3 C. Fresh finely ground coffee (whatever brand, flavor blend and strength you prefer)
1 Quart Water
What you Need:
1 Quart Mason Jar (or any quart container)
Brewing Basket (fine mesh) Made for use in a cup, mug or tea pot
Directions:
Place the brewing basket in the mason jar. Measure your coffee into the basket. Slowly pour cold water (tap or filtered or bottled) over the grounds. Allow to steep overnight. Refrigerate until cold. Keep refrigerated until ready to use.
Suggested Uses: Use to make your favorite iced coffee or iced espresso beverage.
To Make coffee ice cubes: just pour the cold brew into ice trays and freeze. Or freeze left over hot brewed coffee. Add the ice cubes to your favorite iced coffee beverage to prevent dilution of flavor.
Note: If you have a preferred grind, rather than a fine grind, it will work as well. The more surface area for the water to absorb, the better the brew, but you be the judge and decide what grind you prefer in making your cold brew. Even if you typically do not like a robust or strong coffee, go a little stronger with cold brew, because the cold water eliminates the acid or bitterness that you may find in a hot brew, leaving just the coffee flavor without the bite. My brewing basket holds up to 6 rounded tablespoons of ground coffee.
Tip: If you want to make a cold brew concentrate or stronger brew, use up to 1 C. of Fresh finely ground coffee to a quart of water. Allow to steep overnight or at least 12 hours. Use a couple of ounces in your beverage and dilute to your taste preference with cold or ice water.
Tip: The brewing basket takes the work out of making your own cold brew, however, If you would rather not purchase a brewing basket, you can make this without one. You could place the coffee grounds in a nylon stocking, in a nut milk bag, or fine mesh tulle fabric, tie with kitchen twine and suspend in the jar of water. Another method is to place the grounds in the water, then strain through fine mesh after it is steeped to your preference.
Tip: Cold brew can be used cold or hot. You'll notice when the coffee is heated, that there is no bitterness that you find in a hot brewed cup.
Note: I've made this with cold water and with boiling water. The boiling water allows the cold brew to steep faster, however the cold water eliminates the bitterness in the finished brew.
Special Note: When your coffee is brewed, toss your grounds into potted plants. They love the acid from coffee and it helps freshen the soil.
Refer to the link to make your own Instant Frappe Mix:
justfowlingaround.weebly.com/recipes-for-self-reliance/make-your-own-frappe-mix
Refer to the link to make Vanilla-Almond Flavored Cold Brew:
justfowlingaround.weebly.com/recipes-for-self-reliance/vanillaalmond-flavored-cold-brew
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