Sun-Brewed Coffee

Spotted in the garden: one gallon of the best coffee you'll ever taste.

Our path to sun-brewed coffee started about one month ago when our french press broke. I had recently finished reading a book called Plastic Free, where the author challenged readers to find ways to repair or make items rather than buy new ones.  Since we have a habit of breaking the glass beaker on our french presses, leaving the plastic handle and support base to the trash, it seemed wise to find a new way.

Kyle spent several days pondering how to make our cold brew coffee without a french press and finally came up with the following method.

1. Grind the beans finely. We use a medium roast organic breakfast blend, but any kind of coffee should work.
2. Add water. Stir. 
3. Stir again about one hour later. Keep stirring until the grounds don't float to the top.
4. Let sit for 24-48 hours. 
5. Filter out the grounds. If you have a french press you can press the grounds an then pour them through a coffee filter. Since we don't have a french press anymore, Kyle pours them through a strainer lined with a pillow case or a tea towel.

We make our coffee in one gallon batches and then store it int the fridge. We drink more than a quart per day, so the brew is constantly working.

The sun-brewing step is completely optional, but it gives the coffee an even smoother, almost caramel flavor.

Kyle has also been adding one teaspoon of baking soda to the mix to make the water a bit more alkaline. It took me a few cups to mentally get past the baking soda idea, but once I forgot about it I was free to enjoy the best coffee I've ever had.

Seriously, best coffee ever.