Do you remember when you used to order a coffee and you received just that: a cup of steaming hot coffee? Now you order a coffee and they ask "hot or cold?" Cold coffee and coffee beverages have jumped into the coffee arena at full speed, particularly with the introduction of cold brew coffee.
Cold brew coffee is different from iced coffee. Iced coffee is brewed with hot water, in the same way regular hot coffee is. The coffee is then cooled down and served over ice. On the other hand, cold brew coffee is brewed with cold water. Medium to coarse coffee grounds are slowly steeped in cold water for 16-24 hours. The grounds are then filtered out. If you have tummy troubles or acid reflux from drinking coffee, cold brew might be the drink for you. It's 67 percent less acidic than regular coffee! Since cold brews aren't heated, the chemical structure of the coffee doesn't change, which means bye-bye bitterness, and hello fresh! Cold brews can be stored in the refrigerator for up to two weeks.
You can buy a cold brew coffee maker, use a French press or simply use a large glass jar and a cheesecloth. The key is getting the ratio of coffee grounds to water correct. Cold brew uses more coffee grounds, which is why it can be more expensive. Once steeped and strained, you're left with a rich concentrate. You may want to tone it down a bit by adding a bit of cold water, milk, sweet cream or half-in-half and pour over ice. The concentrate can also be used in countless recipes, such as smoothies, ice creams, oatmeal or pudding. Cold brew may take a little more patience when brewing it yourself, but the end result is worth it!
Coffee Chia Pudding
¾ cup cold brew coffee concentrate
¾ cup 2% milk
2 Tablespoons honey
½ teaspoon vanilla extract
½ cup chia seeds
Whipped topping and cinnamon, if desired
Mix all ingredients, except whipped topping, in a medium bowl. Refrigerate overnight or at least 4 hours. Serve with a dollop of whipped topping and a sprinkle of cinnamon on top.
Yield: 4 servings
Nutrition Facts (per serving): 160 calories, 7 grams fat, 25 milligrams sodium, 20 grams carbohydrate, 7 grams fiber, 5 grams protein