Coffee 3 Ways with the Pros at Trade
How do we take our coffee? Seriously. Very seriously. But not as seriously as the pros at Trade, who make it a point to curate some of the best stuff around and get it to you directly. We asked them to share everything they know about creating the perfect beverage for any time of the day. So go ahead, and pour over (sorry) their best barista and buzz-bar secrets below:
9am: Hot Coffee
For newbies and experts alike, the French press is a stalwart, a go-to for easy home brewing. The French press is one of the easiest brew methods to master: Simply grind coffee, pour water, wait four minutes, plunge, and get sipping. Depending on your set up, an automated drip can feel even more convenient — just grind coffee, add to basket, flip a switch. But if you like your coffee bolder, with bigger body and thicker mouthfeel, French press is your winner.
The secret is in the metal press, allowing more robust oils into the brew, giving you a bolder cup. And bonus - depending on the size of your french press, you can get a few cups going at once.
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Step-by-Step:
- Preheat your French Press by filling it with hot water from a kettle and discard
- Add about 3 tablespoons of coarsely ground coffee for every 1 cup of water
- Bloom your grounds to release extra gases by pouring enough water (200 degrees, or just off boil) to submerge grounds and wait 30 seconds
- Fill the carafe the rest of the way with hot water (about 34 ounces total) and gently stir
- Place the lid on the French press, gently pressing the plunger down a bit so the mesh filter is just touching the top of the hot water
- When the timer reads four minutes, press your coffee plunger all the way down, until the coffee grounds are packed on the bottom
- Pour and enjoy
Hot Coffee Selects
Great Goods Pick Me Up
Dune House Blend
Joe's The Daily
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2pm: Cold Brew
The truth is, it’s surprisingly simple to whip up delicious cold brew at home. DIY and send the packaged stuff packing.
Cold brew refers to coffee brewed using room temperature or cold water. Hot water can extract the particles of coffee out from the grind faster and more efficiently, which is why hot brew times are quick. Cold water has to work that much harder to extract all the goodies from the coffee, grounds, and so expect it to take much longer.
The good news: the more gentle extraction process makes a smoother-tasting brew with less acidity than hot coffee.
Like a French press, cold brew uses immersion brewing, where coarsely ground coffee sit in water. Search the internet and you’ll find hundreds of ways (and heated debates) on how to make the best cold brew. We like using bag filters and Trade’s eco-friendly Cold Brew Bags are a solid, mess-free way to create the perfect stash.
Step-by-Step:
- Fill one cold brew bag to the top (about 3 ounces) with coarse ground coffee
- Pull the drawstring tightly to seal contents
- Place the bag in a large container (we recommend a 1-quart mason jar). If you don’t have bags on hand, you can put the grounds into a carafe and strain after.
- Add 24 ounces of room temperature or cold filtered water to your container
- Cover and let sit at room temperature out of direct sunlight for 12 to 18 hours
- Remove the bag and pour concentrate over ice, water, or milk to dilute
Cold Brew Selects
Atomic Cold Brew
PT's Cold Front
Augie's Happy Medium
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5pm: Cognac and Coffee Negroni
A strong cold brew will last up to two weeks in the fridge, but likely only two-three days if you dilute with water. But even if you’re not in the mood for another cup, there’s a lot you can do to stretch out coffee time, from cold brew popsicles to crafty cocktails.
This recipe comes to us from NYC-based Cocktail Enthusiast and Home Bartender Alex Miller. A deeper, darker twist on a classic, the Cognac and Coffee Negroni incorporates 18-hour cold brew for a deeper, richer flavor.
Ingredients
- 2 oz cold brew coffee
- 1 oz cognac
- 1 oz sweet vermouth
- 1 oz Campari (we used Campari Cask Tales for a touch of oakiness)
- 1 orange, sliced
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Step-by-Step:
- Pour 2 oz cold brew into a cocktail shaker with ice
- Pour in cognac, vermouth and Campari
- Shake well and serve into a tumbler
- Alternatively, pour all ingredients over ice straight into a tumbler and stir well with a bar spoon to mix and cool
- Add fresh orange slice for garnish
Negroni Selects
Gimme! Rally
Temple Colombia Narino
City of Saints Nicaragua Jinotega
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