Mastodawn

AI6YR Ben Mar 22

Random stuff off the curb haul: coconut coir (usable for seed starting), brand new. And some kind of almoat brand new fancy cold brew coffee thing, figured I would try it out and/or put it with the car camping/disaster stuff in case the opportunity arises for real coffee.

I guess you just fill it with coffee and leave it in there with room temperature water for 24 hours.

I always thought the "cold brew coffee" Starbucks was pushing was a labor saving and profit device... cold brew coffee takes their staff about 10 seconds to pour into a cup from a spigot, like a soda machine, and they charge you almost $6... and then if you want it with cream or caramel or whatever fancy schmancy thing they add a couple of dollars on top for more profit. It goes straight to Starbucks' bottom line to NOT require any labor for your coffee.

"Burke Cold Brew Maker, 1.6 Qt, Removable Mesh Brew Filter - Primula"

Paul_IPv6 Mar 22

it can be brewed without heat. handy for camping, etc.

you can also brew "double strength" and then add milk for NoLA styled cafe au lait. nice in really hot weather.

BakersRelay Mar 22

@ai6yr Sun tea for coffee!

@ai6yr Well, you can use actual cold water. It might take longer depending, but IMO it is better to refrigerate rather than use room temperature water.

Cold brew really is a real thing though, it's not a labor saving thing. (I'd say they go through just as much to prepare that if they do, but really they likely just get concentrate shipped to them and pour that to mix. A machine somewhere probably works just as hard.)

Cold brew has a very different sort of taste and caffeine profile. Very different.

AI6YR Ben Mar 22

@nazokiyoubinbou More caffeine or less caffeine?

@ai6yr I think it's less but delivered differently? Uh, my memory is in a bad mood today.

wakingrufus Mar 22

@nazokiyoubinbou

@ai6yr
It probably is less labor because you can make a bigger batch of concentrate for the same effort as a drip pot, since it keeps in the refrigerator. And then it's minimal effort at point of sale. It probably uses more beans though, so material cost is probably higher. Although that might depend on brew times and ratios.

Universal Basic Friend Mar 22

@ai6yr okay so this is very contextual for people who live in remote areas, but that's what I'm paying for.

I hear this often: [food/beverage type] is a scam because they basically just take it out of a fridge and pour it in a cup.

Whenever I buy one of these beverages it's because I'm over 50km from my own fridge and my cups and I can't carry them.

AI6YR Ben Mar 22

@coolandnormal Oh, that makes sense, for sure. Over here, people get in their cars (without coffee) in their pajamas, drive over to the "Drive Through Starbucks", buy coffee, and then drive back home. 😬 (and you wonder why we have a climate crisis)

Universal Basic Friend Mar 22

@ai6yr feels like there are two things going on here:

Urban people:
-why would you go to a restaurant when you can make it just as good at home?

Rural people:
-if you're within driving distance of home, why would you be forced to consider a restaurant?

@ai6yr @coolandnormal Wonder what they do if their car breaks down?

AI6YR Ben Mar 22

@annehargreaves @coolandnormal I've already seen this. Uber Eats and Doordash.

Universal Basic Friend Mar 22

@ai6yr see this makes heaps of sense. It's definitely odd to leave home for this.

When I encounter big chain fast food and coffee it's because I can't get home at a reasonable time, so it comes across more like paid access to a kitchen. The quality is fairly low, but it's a bit like the coffee machine in the basement of the hospital where I used to work: happy to have it in a low resource environment.

we just had a '7-Brews' (whatever-tf that is) open in a stripmall

&

Yes

Exactly this!

utterly f'k'd the traffic flow

@cpm @ai6yr @coolandnormal and it's too hot to drink when served, so people pulling out of the coffee drive through still have not had coffee either 😖

https://urbanists.social/@enobacon/116270623135087103

AI6YR Ben Mar 22

@enobacon @cpm @coolandnormal Yeek!

Universal Basic Friend Mar 22

@ai6yr @enobacon @cpm this whole thread is an education! The nearest drive through coffee to me is 65km away in the nearest industrial centre. Almost every tradie who has ever turned up to work in this house has been carrying a coffee from there.

Shirley Eugest Mar 23

@ai6yr @coolandnormal

I make coffee at home, almost like this.
https://www.youtube.com/shorts/1fbvEyjPDGc

Things people with ADHD do more often. Part 21 #adhd

YouTube

Shirley Eugest Mar 22

@ai6yr
Cold brew coffee originated by Dutch importers long ago. Called cold brew, Dutch coffee or Kyoto Coffee.

This coffee extract is what you used when putting coffee flavor in baked goods too. Just start the day before to have it ready.

https://www.teaandcoffee.net/feature/36599/cold-brew-coffee-from-a-historically-niche-category-to-global-phenomenon/

Cold Brew Coffee: From a Historically Niche Category to Global Phenomenon - Tea & Coffee Trade Journal

Cold brew coffee has evolved from niche category with a storied history to a global sensation. In this new five-part series on cold brew coffee, Dr Steffen Schwarz, the founder and director of Coffee Consulate, examines the history of cold brew coffee, the science of cold brew extraction, the chemical and sensory profile, hygiene and food safety challenges, and practical recommendations for coffee professionals. Part One focuses on the centuries-old history of cold brew and the various preparation methods.

Tea & Coffee Trade Journal

@[email protected] When doing cold brew at home, it's usually a higher ratio of grounds to water. Then, when strained (usually after 24 hours), you are left with essentially a "concentrate". To get your coffee, add equal parts concentrate with hot water.

I always used a gallon pitcher, and then a strained lined with cheese cloth. No fancy equipment needed.

qurlyjoe Mar 22

@ai6yr
I’ve used a toddycafe.com kit for 5 or 6 years to make my own ice coffee. Makes just under 2 liters at a time, which we go through in about 5 days. Uses 12oz. of coffee per brew, so it is pricey. Very smooth taste, even at strong concentrations. Leaving it in the fridge about 18 hours tastes better than room temp brewing, imo. You can dilute to taste which is nice for when you need a stronger pick me up.

Paul_IPv6 Mar 22

@qurlyjoe @ai6yr

definitely smooth, since you can't get the water too hot and dump acid. i find coffee/chicory mixes a bit harsh (cafe du monde, chock full o nuts, etc.) but it's definitely part of the NoLA cafe au lait taste. doing it cold brew gets you the taste but not too much acid.

Wine of the Bean Mar 22

@ai6yr I use a cloth bag and grind 400g/3L water. Put in the fridge for 24 hours then decant. Bag filters the grounds by default, you just need to squeeze the liquid out. This makes a concentrate that you can dilute to your taste, and have hot or cold.

@ai6yr you fill it with coffee grounds. Experiment. Try using tap hot water, and room temperature water, then stick it in the refrigerator.
.
It’s actually pretty tasty. I barely drink coffee these days., but I used to make cold brew.

AI6YR Ben Mar 22

@Da_Gut Well, it sounds appealing in the heatwave temps we have been getting lol. I drank cold coffee this morning, didn't want anything hot!

Joe Vilas Mar 22

@ai6yr I've had a coffee toddy for decades. It really is the best thing for making cold coffee drinks in the summer.