Let’s talk COFFEE. Specifically, let’s talk about its environmental impact. The second one sounds decidedly less fun, right? I mean, maybe, but it’s super important so hear me out, friends. I’ve already written about easy ways to use less plastic, and skipping the barista is a GREAT way to do that (as well as save some cash). So, instead, try this DIY cold brew recipe that I swear by.
First, let’s talk about your morning. You’re tired, you’re groggy, it’s early, you need a boost. So, why not get one right when you wake up? Literally without even leaving your home, you can have coffee that is already made and ready for you. Your delicious brew will be 10 seconds away from consumption. That sounds way better than getting on the struggle bus to wait in line for coffee.
Aside from spending more time, energy, and money to visit the barista, you’re also adding to the landfill. Oh, no! The Guardian reports that Americans alone still throw away 25 BILLION coffee cups per year. That’s billion with a ‘B’.
And by 2050, plastic trash in the ocean is projected to outnumber fish.
That’s not natural. Do me a favor and google “garbage island” for some equally horrifying information about the state of our oceans. Yikes. But we can try our best to fix this.
Even if you do recycle your cups, did you know that plastic cannot be infinitely recycled like aluminum can? Plastic can only be recycled a few times before it too ends up in the landfill. Most people don’t know that; I didn’t even know that until a few years ago! So while it’s great you’re recycling, just know that is not actually a solution. Everything still ends up in the same place, it’s just delayed.
Don’t worry, I’m about to give you a solution. It all starts with your morning coffee:-)
DIY Cold Brew Recipe
Don’t let ‘cold brew’ trick you. This recipe can be consumed hot or cold! If you want hot coffee, just microwave it! It’s that simple.
You will notice a different taste with this DIY cold brew recipe…it will be better. And I’m not just saying that. Your coffee will be smoother and less bitter because it was not exposed to hot water that could burn the grounds. Additionally, you might notice less acid reflux from your morning brew because cold brew is less acidic. Cool, huh?
I’ve tried a few different cold brew recipes, but always come back to this awesome one from the New York Times. I use the NYT base recipe of 1/3 cup coffee grounds for every 1 1/2 cup water and then I make the modifications in the recipe below.
Note: this is a cold brew CONCENTRATE.
What’s a concentrate? It’s basically what your barista uses; it’s concentrated coffee so that when you add milk and/or water, you will not dilute the flavor. What’s great about this is that you get so many cups out of one mason jar.
To serve, my preferred ratio is filling my mug or glass with 1/3 cold brew concentrate to 2/3 water (or milk).You can adjust how strong you want your coffee to be by adding more or less concentrate to your cup (NYT does a 50/50 ratio of coffee concentrate to water).
DIY Cold Brew Recipe
To make:
- 1/3 cup ground coffee for every 1 1/2 cups cold water
- In a jar with a lid (I use a mason jar), add coffee then water
- Secure the lid and do not shake
- Gently flip the mason jar upside down a few times to combine coffee and water
- Let sit in fridge for 15-18 hours (NYT says 12 hours, but I prefer longer)
- Strain twice through a fine mesh sieve and keep concentrate in sealed mason jar in fridge
To use:
- Add coffee concentrate to your cup or mug in a ratio of 1/3 coffee concentrate to 2/3 water (or to taste)
- Add milk, sugar, or whatever your preference and enjoy cold or warmed in the microwave
That’s it! So I just get up, pour my concentrate in a mug, add water, then 1 teaspoon coconut sugar, a bit of oat milk, and BAM; I have iced coffee in 10 seconds. I make about 3-5 days worth of this at a time and it lasts as long as it’s in a jar with an airtight lid.
I also do this with iced tea! It’s a great way to make a bulk beverage without taking up valuable fridge space (since you’re adding the bulk of the water later!).
I hope you try this DIY cold brew recipe; not just because it’s delicious, but also because it’s better for the planet:-) Enjoy!
-Kristen
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