Okay, I admit, it’s a sensational headline, but it’s an interesting way to think about the drink that gets many of us through the day. I’ve tried many different ways of procuring this nectar of life: the neighborhood barista, free coffee from the bank, and using a coffee machine or french press at home. Of course, the first one is the only one that really adds up, but this article as much about taste as it is about cost anyway, so here goes…
Cold-Brewed Coffee
One of my colleagues clued me in to cold-brewed coffee. The New York Times ran an article about it, with a corresponding recipe. It’s a great taste, and really simple to make at home, without the expense of and cleaning of a coffee maker. After brewing overnight, I strain it through a coffee filter in a colander over a glass bowl. Then, I store the resulting coffee concentrate in the fridge until I need it. Simply add cold water and ice in a 1:1 ratio with the concentrate … delicious. Like it hot? Just add the water in the same ratio and nuke it for a few minutes. Either way, it tastes just like the beans smelled, so we’ve been having fun with different flavored beans. (more…)