CoffeeNate.com Episode #11 : The Cold Brewing Method / SpeakEasy Coffee Review
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Howdy, welcome back to coffeenate.com to learn about Cold Brewing Coffee. In most areas of the country it is starting to get pretty hot and sticky this time of year. Who wants to add any heat to the house, or even drink a hot drink for that matter? Maybe you just want to experiment and try a change of pace. If that describes you, then cold brewing coffee is right up your alley! This was an interesting adventure, because there are no hard and fast rules to this method of brewing java. I experimented with brewing it in milk vs. water, water temps, in the fridge, room temp, various grinds etc. It was lots of trial and error and I was close to thinking that this method just wasn’t for me, I’m too much of a coffee snob to appreciate the cold brew. Alas, I found the right combination of factors to produce a suitable brew. This video details how to brew cold coffee from start to finish. Here are a couple of recipes that
you may also enjoy, there is an alcholic and a non-alkie version 
Iced Coffee Non-Alcoholic Style
- Add frozen ‘Coffee Cubes’
- Add 3 ounces of half n’ half
- Add 4 ounces of Cold Brewed Coffee Concentrate
- (optional) Add a dollop of whip cream or a shot of chocolate syrup
Alcoholic Iced Coffee
- Add frozen ‘Coffee Cubes’
- Add 2 ounces of half n’ half
- Add 4 ounces of Cold Brewed Coffee Concentrate
- Add 1 ounce Coffee Liqueur
- Add 1Tbs Kahlua
- Add 1Tbs Irish Cream
- For best results, blend all ingredients for 10 seconds in a blender
There you have it. Of course, you can adjust these recipes to suit your personal tastes, but it gives you a starting point. Have fun, and feel free to share your own concoctions with us!
This week I ordered some superb coffees from SpeakEasyCoffee.ca They offer a vast selection of Fair Trade / Organic / Shade-Grown coffees in a variety of blends and roasts. This small scale roastery focuses on the quality and freshness of the roast while accentuating the flavors of the various origins. SpeakEasy is based in southern Ontario, Canada, and they ship anywhere in North America. Roasted to order, you won’t be disappointed with their service or their product. I especially enjoyed the Ethiopian Harrar and the Costa Rican varieties…MMMmmmm The Harrar is bursting with an aromatic scent that will invade your home with floral, fruit, and anise notes. Check them out and share your experiences with us 
If you have a question or an idea for a topic for a future episode feel free to send me a message either through email or twitter. I care about what you care about, and I am eager to address your coffee questions! Winning some premium coffee wouldn’t hurt either…would it? Take care, and see you next week.
12 Comments
June 12th, 2009 at 6:34 pm
Maybe it's just me, but I still love good and plenty. I also like the wonders of modern technology! lol
I haven't tried that version of making iced coffee or that adult version, so I'll have to give them both a shot at some point.
June 13th, 2009 at 5:36 pm
Thanks for visiting Mike! Those recipes are my own creation, nothing earth shattering or anything, but simple and flexible. I like them in the blender the best
Take care.
June 13th, 2009 at 8:16 pm
The good and plenty was classic. I guess my question would be is the taste significantly different from brewing first and then cooling down the coffee? I stopped making my own ice coffee because I was drinking way too much…we're talking heart palpatations.
June 13th, 2009 at 8:35 pm
Yeah, you probably shouldn't drink more than a couple a day. Yes, the flavor is very different. I first did the cold method with the Dean & Deluca coffee from episode 10. When hot brewed, it had a really long bittersweet finish, but cold brewed it was much smoother and cleaner. The flavors are much more subtle when cold brewing, but very interesting. I think the cold brew can store longer too, 2 weeks in the fridge. Thanks for coming back Craig.
June 18th, 2009 at 10:59 pm
Thanks for the info Nate, i'm gonna try the cold brew asap…you guys already have me hooked on Kicking Horse!
June 18th, 2009 at 11:05 pm
Gave you a little digg on this one as well
June 18th, 2009 at 11:58 pm
No problem Craig, thanks for checking out my site and following along! Have you joined my Facebook fan page for CoffeeNate.com yet? If you do, then you'll be entered into the draw for some free premium coffee! Here's the link http://www.facebook.com/pages/CoffeeNatecom/68474...
July 15th, 2009 at 2:22 am
Hi Nathan,
I had never heard of cold brewing, you have piqued my curiousity:)
I do wonder though,in terms of flavour, is it worth the time and amount of coffee used as opposed to just hot-brewing and chilling?
Also, the coffee ice cube idea is great- once you said it I thought 'of course, that makes so much sense', but of course, I have never thought of it- thanks for the stroke of genius!
Amie
July 15th, 2009 at 2:28 am
Thanks Craig..can always use a DIGG
July 15th, 2009 at 2:32 am
Hi Amie, thanks for the comment!! It's something interesting to try. The result is more of a concentrate than the chilled hot brewed coffee. The cold brewing results in a bit of a muted taste, very smooth and clean with no bitterness. It will store longer than heat brewed coffee. I can't take full credit for the coffee cubes, although I did instantly think of it when I was researching the method. I read about it somewhere else too. It is noticeably better in the blender/smoothie machine, I like the consistency better.
December 22nd, 2009 at 5:22 pm
uh. luv this post )
January 25th, 2010 at 5:43 am
[...] before and actually brew it in your fridge! No cooling required!! Check out the how to video here, http://www.CoffeeNate.com/11-coldbrewcoffeeReferences : [...]