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  #16  
Old 08-25-2008, 11:46 AM
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Milk doesn't do well at the ideal range for brewing coffee -- it starts to smell like cheese as the milk solids cook. Probably the best way to get near where you're trying is to either make an infusion or a cold extract.

I'm not exactly sure what your object is in brewing coffee in milk -- but if you're looking for something like one of the commercially bottled, cold, coffee-milk drinks, your best bed is probably starting with a cold extract. There are very good inexpensive home extract makers such as the Toddy (Toddy Coffee Maker, Toddy Maker, Cold Brew Coffee Maker, Low Acid Coffee, Healthy Coffee), and some of the expresso chains like the Coffee Bean sell prepared extract.

If, on the other hand, you're trying to make a latte -- you need (a) to start with espresso; and (b) a steamer that can handle the appropriate volume of milk in a short enough time so as not to "cheese" it. This means a pretty good espresso machine -- and they aren't cheap.

There are less expensive workarounds, but they land you in a sort of "better than Starbuck's" territory. If you buy decent beans (which don't have to be expensive, but often are), and brew it carefully, the underlying espresso will be better than Starbuck's. Starbuck's doesn't use particularly good beans, uses a very demanding roast profile they no longer do very well, and isn't very good in the greater scheme of things, so that's a "take if for what it's worth." A lot of people are delighted with Starbuck's espresso, a lot are delighted with barely "better than Starbuck's," and more power to 'em. No judgment is passed on their taste -- there's no truer cliche than de gustibus non disputandum.

BDL

Last edited by boar_d_laze; 08-25-2008 at 12:00 PM.
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  #17  
Old 08-25-2008, 11:59 AM
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[quote=boar_d_laze;236514][...] Got to thinking this morning about using a method similar to "cowboy coffee," the stuff we drank in Montana while working on the Stearns place. We'd boil some water, dump in some ground coffee, let it come back to a boil for a moment, then let it steep. Sometimes the result was harsh, but it fit the situation perfectly. Anyway, I may try something like that, although not bring the milk to boil.[...]

Werll, I tried the technique this morning and it turned out pretty well. I liked the creamier texture of the drink compared to making the coffee with water and then adding milk or cream. Maybe with some further experimenting the result will improve.

scb

Last edited by shel; 08-26-2008 at 12:28 PM.
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  #18  
Old 08-25-2008, 08:22 PM
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In North India, black tea is undisputed king. In South India, coffee is more common.

Back in the day when Indian train station food was some of the best around (I hear this is not the case at all any more), I remember ordering coffee, and getting served a cup of hot milk, a small pitcher of coffee extract, and sugar cubes. That was some of the best coffee I have ever had.
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Old 08-26-2008, 07:08 PM
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[quote=shel;236516]
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Originally Posted by boar_d_laze View Post
[...] Got to thinking this morning about using a method similar to "cowboy coffee," the stuff we drank in Montana while working on the Stearns place. We'd boil some water, dump in some ground coffee, let it come back to a boil for a moment, then let it steep. Sometimes the result was harsh, but it fit the situation perfectly. Anyway, I may try something like that, although not bring the milk to boil.[...]

Werll, I tried the technique this morning and it turned out pretty well. I liked the creamier texture of the drink compared to making the coffee with water and then adding milk or cream. Maybe with some further experimenting the result will improve.


scb
This sounds like something I can do with my french press. I'll try it... but that's a whole lot of milk to waste if it doesn't work out no?
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Old 08-26-2008, 07:19 PM
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[quote=Mapiva;236650]
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Originally Posted by shel View Post
This sounds like something I can do with my french press. I'll try it... but that's a whole lot of milk to waste if it doesn't work out no?
I thought about using the French press .... and might just do that next time. This is a concept I want to play around with.

How much are you planning to make? I made about six ounces.

scb
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