For years now, I’ve been in the habit of using jars as to-go containers. On days when I make a smoothie for breakfast, I tote it to work in one of my precious 24 ouncers (please Jarden Home Brands, bring back the 1 1/2 pint wide mouth jar). I frequently eat a yogurt, granola and jam concoction out of a wide mouth pint. And when I don’t have a traditional travel mug handy, I pour my coffee into a jar.
During warmer months, I’m strictly an iced coffee girl (see below!). I use the cold brew method, which results in a smooth, nuanced cup. However, in the winter I like my coffee toasty. And while the jar can handle the heat, my fingers can’t always. Enter the jar cozy!
A couple of weeks ago, I put the call out on the Food in Jars Facebook page (come hang out, there’s so much good jar chatter happening!) for jar cozies and got a number of enthusiastic responses. And happy day, the first one arrived today from Leah in Minnesota. I may have to brew up some hot coffee tomorrow morning, just to make use of it. Thanks Leah!
As far as the cold brew coffee goes, here’s my super simple approach. Fill a cheapo coffee grinder nearly to the top with beans (I’m working on the dredges of a couple different varieties, so there’s both medium and dark roasts in the hopper. Obviously, I’m no purist).
Using a wide mouth funnel, knock the grounds into a quart jar. I typically use just shy of a cup of coffee grounds. Fill the jar to the top with filtered water. Tightly screw on a lid (do not use one of the white plastic ones in this situation) and give it a good shake, in order to fully saturate the coffee.
Let the jar sit for 8-10 hours (overnight works pretty darn well here). In the morning, line a drip funnel (something like this) with a paper filter and set it over another jar or a pitcher with a quart capacity. Pour the coffee into the filter and let it drip through (this will take a little more time than it does when the water is hot).
The resulting coffee has a ton of flavor and makes this caffeine addict very, very happy. I pour mine into a pint jar, leaving enough room for a generous splash of milk and head off to work.
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Comments ( 27 )
[...] made my first batch of cold brew coffee of the season. [...]
Apartment 2024 » Blog Archive » April Round-Up added these pithy words on Apr 30 10 at 12:50 pm[...] Cold-Brewed Iced Coffee from Smitten Kitchen Cold Brew Coffee from Food in Jars Home Cold-Brewed Iced Coffee from I Need [...]
0527 Cold Brew Coffee OMG | Outpost 505 added these pithy words on Jun 05 10 at 4:27 pm[...] heard from multiple trusted sources that iced coffee tastes more pure than it’s hot counterpart, that the cold brew [...]
Progress and coffee | Secretly Sweet added these pithy words on Aug 17 10 at 1:13 pmOoh, cold brew coffee is the BEST! I might have to make some right now!
1. Jacquelyn added these pithy words on
Apr 21 10 at
1:19 am
If you want to be super cool, you can use a reusable filter like this one http://www.boncui.com/impr1219.html?source=GGAN
We love ours!
2. Sara added these pithy words on
Apr 21 10 at
1:24 am
i got hooked on cold brew last summer and found that my french press works perfectly. toss in the grinds and water, stir and in the morning, plunge and pour! so, so good. in fact, going to go mix some up now.
3. jess added these pithy words on
Apr 21 10 at
2:47 am
I’ve been cold brewing coffee for a few months now using a thrifted French press. Super easy and no icky paper filter to throw out. Bonus: fewer dirty dishes!
4. amanda k. added these pithy words on
Apr 21 10 at
2:54 am
I love cold brewed coffee & usually keep a pitcher of it in the fridge all summer. I usually add a bit of simple syrup in addition to milk.
5. kimu added these pithy words on
Apr 21 10 at
7:42 am
Yes I love cold brew coffee… But never thought to make it! I usually drink mine at room temp throughout the morning. I know what I’m doing for tomorrow!
Oh, and must find a knitting “recipe” for a jar cozy. The one you recieved looks lovely, but appears crocheted…I haven’t tried crochet yet either.
6. Rcakewalk added these pithy words on
Apr 21 10 at
8:07 am
Hi Marisa! I haven’t had much time for reading (or writing) blog posts lately with the growing season in full swing but I saw your jar cozy and had to comment. I knit mine and they are super simple to make…takes about an hour while watching tv. I cast on 60 stitches (for a wide mouth jar) to double pointed needles and divide them to knit in the round (if you’ve ever made a mitten or hat, just like that). I knit until I have enough of a tube to cover my desired jar. I then bind off using a flexible binding technique…see here: http://knitty.com/ISSUEsummer06/FEATsum06TT.html. Using a wool or other stretchy fiber is best to get a nice snug cozy. I’ll have to make you one sometime if you’re collection doesn’t get too large.
7. Jennie added these pithy words on
Apr 21 10 at
8:35 am
Now how can we get Jarden to start making those 11/2 pint jars. Just the right size for me!
Coffee, yes I also will add whip cream and chocolate shaving to mine…sooo good!
8. Jane added these pithy words on
Apr 21 10 at
10:31 am
9. I second (or third at this point?) the use of a french press. I’m not a fan of paper filters, both for the waste and because they leach out some of the coffee oils, and effect the taste.
We make our coffee in a half gallon jar, which usually lasts us a day and a half-ish. I also use a bit more coffee than you, Marissa, just over 2 cups for the half gallon. I like my coffee STRONG.
Also, for anybody trying cold brew for the first time, I would actually recommend either having your coffee ground, or using a burr grinder set to french press (very coarse). It’ll give a more even grind, and prevent any issues with bitterness that might occur with a more uneven or finer grind.
10. Kelly Rose added these pithy words on
Apr 21 10 at
12:12 pm
Hey guys, I hear you on using a french press to do cold brew coffee. The reason I don’t is that I really don’t like having fine particulate matter in my coffee and I find that when you pair grinds from a cheap grinder with a french press (or a reusable filter), you get a bit of particulate sludge. I had a burr grinder, but it broke, so I’m trying to use what I’ve got. If it’s any consolation, I rinse, dry and reuse my paper filters until they rip (I get 3-4 uses out of each one).
I do love how many ways there are to make cold brew coffee though, it means that there’s a way to make it work for everyone!
11. Marisa added these pithy words on
Apr 21 10 at
1:21 pm
Love the idea of cold-brewed coffee! Could it be made like sun tea in a sunny window so it can be slightly warm too?
12. DessertForTwo added these pithy words on
Apr 21 10 at
2:30 pm
I would love to figure out to crochet a jar cozy! Too cute!
13. Deborah added these pithy words on
Apr 21 10 at
2:30 pm
Coffee filters are biodegradable and coffee grounds are highly recommended for compost. Throw both in your compost pile or bag them up and give them to a gardener friend!
14. Rebecca added these pithy words on
Apr 21 10 at
2:39 pm
Another way to make cold coffee is to make a concentrate. From The Splendid Table: “Take 1 pound medium grind coffee. Add 10–11 cups of cold water. Leave it on the counter overnight. Strain in the morning. For hot coffee just add hot water to taste; for iced coffee, ice and water or milk. It should keep for 2 weeks in the fridge.”
15. anduin added these pithy words on
Apr 21 10 at
4:17 pm
I have never heard of cold brewed coffee … where have I been? I’ve been using a mason jar for my water for a little while now, much better than plastic and sometimes there is a taste with steel bottles.
16. Ms. Whiteplates added these pithy words on
Apr 21 10 at
8:42 pm
I love my cold brew! I actually like to use a jar cover in the summer to prevent condensation from getting everywhere. The one in the picture looks just perfect.
(Being the spiller I am there is also the bonus that the jar cover tends to catch some of the spillage and keep it off my clothing)
17. Tara added these pithy words on
Apr 22 10 at
11:24 am
18. I’m floored. What a great notion! I also take jars with me everywhere – even if they only have water in them. I really cannot wait to try this. Thanks for the awesome idea.
19. allison lemons added these pithy words on
Apr 23 10 at
1:23 am
Thank you! I’m new to canning, bought my first batches of jars and have only been using them for storage so far…but just discovered green smoothies and was in a quandary as to how to tote them to work because my plastic (ack/evil!) containers have less than reliable tops…so simple!
20. Melanie J. added these pithy words on
Apr 23 10 at
10:49 am
Re your comment about the white plastic jar lids. If you haven’t discovered this yet, mayo jar lids fit beautifully on all regular mouth canning jars.
And Green Mountain Gringo salso jars are perfect pint sized canning jars, Their lids are reusable for storage, too, but not for canning. I do use them when I make refrigerator pickles, they’re perfect.
21. Joan SD added these pithy words on
Apr 23 10 at
12:24 pm
I want to try this cold brewed thing. So, because it’s cold water, it doesn’t get that bitter over-extracted problem?
Do you get a little protective of jars going into the hands of “tossers” by which I mean people who THROW JARS AWAY? I know I have a little voice shrieking “Nooooooooo” in the back of my head whenever I need to hand a jar into unappreciative hands.
22. Christine added these pithy words on
Apr 23 10 at
2:39 pm
I also use coffee grounds to “clean” the disposal. Dump them when you run it and it makes the sink/kitchen smell better.
24. momchelle added these pithy words on
May 01 10 at
11:24 am
What a great idea! I love the simplicity of the jar cozy, and I’ve never thought of it. I eat my granola and yogurt out of a jar daily, but stay away from hot beverages for the same reasons as you . . . until now!
25. Era added these pithy words on
May 03 10 at
2:39 pm
