This is not your traditional heat brew coffee, but it’s cold water that brings out the java flavor! Cold press coffee is all the rage, and I wanted to figure out why? I made a pitcher of fresh coffee with coarsely ground beans from my local farmer’s market. I noticed that the chilled water steeping process brings forth a bolder flavor, than coffee made with hot water. It’s the perfect cup of iced coffee, no bitterness with a hint of a sweet, smooth flavor.

• 3 cups cold filtered water
• 9 tablespoons (a bit more than 1/2 cup) good quality coursely ground coffee (the proportions I used are 3 tablespoons of coffee to 8 ounces of water)
• ice
• milk, half and half or water
• sweetener of choice (The best choice is a simple syrup which is equal parts water and sugar, heated until the sugar dissolves completely)

In a French coffee press or a pitcher, soak the coffee grounds in cold filtered water, cover with plastic wrap and refrigerate for 12-16 hours. After the grounds have steeped at least 12 hours, gently press the plunger down. If you’re using a pitcher than put the mixture through a coffee filter or fine mesh sieve. You can dilute the coffee with water or milk, if it’s too strong (and it will be very concentrated.) As a decaffeinated coffee drinker, I used Nicaraguan Swiss Water Process decaffeinated coffee. Since there are no chemicals used in the decaffeination process, that leaves the healthy antioxidants intact. Serve the coffee over ice and enjoy!