I love coffee, like most New Yorkers. I like it hot and I like it cold.  I even like it room temperature because you left it on your desk and got distracted by something else.  My family has been obsessed with coffee since the early 90’s when my dad would have beans shipped to our Midwest home from this “great new coffee shop” in Seattle that his friend told him about called Starbucks. (Seriously).

And now, here’s the sad part: after years of coffee abuse I had to cut off the caffeinated stuff because it started giving me the shakes, which then turned into anxiety attacks. It was so unfair.   And what’s worse is what people do to decaf. First they roast it too long, then they fill it with chemicals to decaffeinate it and then they brew it so light it might as well be iced tea.  And so I have made it my mission to learn how to brew the perfect decaf cup.  Drip and French press are okay and pour over just doesn’t just cut it.
My newly discovered go-to is the Clever Dripper, a full immersion brewing method.

Here’s how I do it:

What you need:
1          Clever Dripper coffee brewer
#4       Cone coffee filters
1          Burr style coffee grinder
1          Coffee cup that can hold about 10 oz. liquid

22 g.    Café Grumpy decaf, medium-to-coarse grind
12 oz.  Boiling water

opt.: cream, sugar, chocolate curls, etc.
First you have to start with a great bean.  We are now carrying Café Grumpy’s decaf roast: it’s one of the best in town.  It is decaffeinated using the Swiss Water Process, a chemical-free way of removing most of the caffeine from the bean. (Check out more about it in this Serious Eats article).

Grind what you need for each brew.  Using a coarse setting in a burr grinder, process about 3 heaping scoops, or about 22 grams.

Pre-wet your filter to cut any paper taste that might come through in the pour. Then add the grounds.  Slowly pour 12 oz. boiling water over your grounds. Give it two swirls with a small wooden spoon or the back end of a rubber spatula.  Coverand allow to steep for 3-4 minutes.

Now decant your coffee into your cup, careful not to over flow.  Don’t bother with the last remaining teaspoon of water in the Clever Dripper.

Enjoy as is or dress it up with cream and sugar!