Americans love coffee. Whether your preference is a simple cup of joe from your automatic-brew coffee pot or a more upscale version such as lattes and cappuccinos, coffee has been the preferred American beverage since the Boston Tea Party. Some completely depend on this hot, black brew to jolt them awake in the morning; while others avoid it entirely, its bitterness driving them away.
Both coffee and coffee houses have been around for centuries. A gathering place where friends can come together to discuss current events or family updates, coffee houses allow like-minded people to gather and savor a cup of hot, steamy goodness and enjoy stimulating conversation.
In the Southern Pines area, there is no shortage of these coffee shops. Step around the corner, and you could get your morning java at Amor Ciego, a cozy little coffee shop with delicious coffees, tasty pastries, and a friendly atmosphere. Or you could try Swank Coffee Shoppe; you can get your coffee fix and shop their handmade items all in one visit! If you’re in a hurry, just drive through the Pony Espresso, where you can get a quick, tasty coffee with great customer service. Or if whole bean coffee is your jam, try Cactus Creek Coffee; they roast the beans in-house and have a whole wall of coffee flavors and blends to choose from.
But for those that don’t have the time or finances to frequent the coffee cafes daily, it’s easy to make a great cup of coffee at home, too. Recently, I’ve been dabbling with homemade cold brew coffees, which I’ve really come to enjoy. Using cold water to extract the flavor from the coffee beans, cold brew yields a smooth concoction with very low acidity and virtually no bitterness. There’s a whole science to brewing coffee, with results that depend on the temperature of the water, the time taken to brew, and many other factors. To keep it simple, in cold brew extraction the cold water lengthens the brew; extracts certain compounds leaving others behind; and preserves the oils in the brew, allowing your taste buds to detect the floral flavors sometimes missed or overlooked in hot coffee.
If you’d like to try it at home, it’s quite simple. Just mix 1 cup of coarsely ground coffee beans with 1 quart of water. Be sure to mix it well so that all the coffee grounds get wet; then cover and allow to sit at room temperature for 12-24 hours. Strain with a fine mesh filter and voila! Your cold brew is ready. Keep in mind that it’s concentrated, so you’ll want to dilute it with water, milk, or other ingredients to make your barista-worthy blend.
Regardless of how you take or make your coffee, here’s wishing you a whole latte (coffee) love this February!
The History of Coffee https://www.ncausa.org/about-coffee/history-of-coffee
Hot Brewed VS Cold Brewed Coffee: 4 Things To Know https://www.javapresse.com/blogs/cold-brew/hot-brewed-vs-cold-brewed-coffee#:~:text=Great%20hot%20brewed%20coffee%20has,acidity%2C%20and%20virtually%20no%20bitterness.