cold brewed

[threeplusfire]

Recently we acquired a grill and engaged the experiments of outdoor cooking. In order to better heat the coals, we needed a metal coffee can. Folgers no longer makes coffee in large metal cans so I ended up with a big can of HEB coffee grounds. It isn't the coffee I normally drink, so I wondered what I was going to do with a couple dozen ounces of coffee grounds. It is getting hot too, notwithstanding this morning's thunderstorms. So the experiments with iced coffee began. Now that I've acquired a large glass jar and determined the 3 to 1 ratio and overnight steeping works best, I think I can move through all that coffee easily.

Comments

[patashoqua]

I didn't know that one *could* cold-brew coffee. This seems like a useful life skill to have in case of the end of the world, etc. How does one go about it?

[threeplusfire]

It's actually pretty brilliant, because the resulting coffee is much less acidic that normally brewed coffee. All you need is a glass jar and a fine mesh strainer or cheesecloth. A french press pot is perfect for this. You measure out your coffee, and dump it in the jar, stir in the water until it is a sludgy mess and let sit anywhere from about 6 hours to 24 hours. Then you strain out the grounds and pour into cups or pitchers.

http://peaceableimperatrix.wordpress.com/2008/04/07/how-to-cold-brew-coffee/

That entry was the most useful one to me while reading up on the process. Though I find her ratio to be too weak for my hyper-caffeinated tastes. I use 1 cup ground coffee to 3 cups cold water, and make mine in a giant iced tea jar.

[fiatincantatum.livejournal.com]

Yay, grilling! I assume you're planning to use the can as a chimney starter? PLEASE be careful... cans are kind of flexible and don't have any handles. Hot coals HURT LOTS!

Assuming you're not a vegetarian, prepare for such delights as Cedar-plank salmon and really GOOD steaks. And if you don't have a grilling "wok," I highly recommend it for doing things like herb roasted red potatoes and baby squash on the grill.

[tsarina.livejournal.com]

Indeed - we have a nice long set of tongs for picking up the can. I'm leaving that all to Mike. My track record with fire is never productive. :P

We did a big salmon steak a couple weeks ago and omg delicious. It was like eating butter. This week we are going to do some barbequed chicken, and grilled ears of corn. I am very intrigued by the idea of a grilling wok - that sounds fun!

Have you ever grilled a papaya? It is so delicious.

[delchi.livejournal.com]

Aren't you supposed to be using " Propane and propane accessories " ? ;)

[tsarina.livejournal.com]

Hahahaha - I am not a substitute Spanish teacher either! :P

No propane just because it's a pain storing the tanks and the grills are much more expensive. Plus, charcoal is just more fun. I mean, you build a pyramid and set it on fire!