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Home > Feature Columns > Coffee Chat News > BREWING TIPS: Cold-Brewed Coffee, A New Orleans Specialty

BREWING TIPS: Cold-Brewed Coffee, A New Orleans Specialty

June 1, 2007

Usually, when we think of New Orleans coffee, it's hot coffee blended with chicory, that hearty flavored root that gives this style of coffee its smooth edge. What you may not have tried is New Orleans Iced Coffee made from a coffee concentrate that gives the typical buzz of caffeine but with the thick, smooth flavor of a soft milk shake. Sound delicious? You bet it is. And, it couldn't be easier to make. In fact, locals make it in old mayonnaise jars, easy to keep chilled in the fridge for drinking anytime.

Here's how they do it: Take one pound of coffee beans and grind to a COARSE ground. Put the grounds into a clean, large glass gallon jar and add nine cups of fresh spring water, one cup at a time, stirring the grounds lightly after each cup of water is poured in, until the jar is filled. Cover the jar with the lid. Here, people depart, some say brew it at room temperature on the kitchen counter, others say keep it in the refrigerator. Either way, for best flavor, allow to cold brew for 12 hours or longer. Once the concentrate has brewed, pour it through a fine mesh sieve (or coffee filters) into another clean jar. At this point, it's essential to keep it in the refrigerator, and it can be stored there for up to two weeks.

To prepare a glass of iced coffee New Orleans style, use one part coffee concentrate to three parts milk or water; stir, add ice cubes if you want, and drink up. If you really want to amp up the coffee flavor, make your ice cubes from freshly brewed coffee that's been cooled. Pour into a clean ice cube tray (or two or three) and freeze. Pop 'em out when you want 'em. Delish!

Why does cold brewed coffee taste so good? Cold brewing prevents the release of acids and oils which occur naturally in the bean and are released when the coffee grounds are heated through with hot water. Bypassing the release of these acids and oils makes a smooth, naturally sweet coffee that will totally change how you view iced coffee ... and hot.

To use the concentrate to make hot coffee, use one-third coffee concentrate or two ounces to two-thirds (six ounces) of hot water, stir, and drink. Add milk, cream, or sugar to taste.

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