Filtered Coffee.
COFFEE BIGGIN.
Coffee biggins come expressly for making filtered, or “drip” coffee. There are two compartments to this pot. In the upper one there is a double strainer, on which is placed the coffee. Above the coffee there is placed another rather coarse strainer. This upper compartment is placed on the lower one; boiling water is poured through the upper strainer and it falls like rain upon the coffee below. The points to remember when making coffee in this way are to have the pot hot, the coffee ground to a fine powder, the water poured on gradually while boiling, and not to have the beverage boil.
Use two tablespoonfuls of finely ground coffee to one pint of boiling water. After putting the coffee in the pot, and fitting every part into its proper place, set the coffee-pot in a pan of hot water and on the range. Pour half a gill of boiling water into the upper strainer, and put on the cover. Let this stand for three or four minutes, that the powder may become wet and swell. Now add half the remaining boiling water; and after two or three minutes add the remainder. At the end of five minutes all the water will have filtered through, and the coffee be ready to serve.
A small quantity of coffee cannot be made in a large pot, because the water will pass through the thin layer of powder before it has had time to extract the strength of the berry. If all the water were poured on the powder at once, it would dislodge the dry grains and pass through without extracting the flavor from the coffee.
A flannel bag is often hung in a coffee-pot, the fine powder being put in it and the boiling water poured directly on the dry coffee. There are many inventions in the line of coffee-pots which are very satisfactory, but the housekeeper should investigate and test them for herself.
Coffee-pots must be kept absolutely clean, if you would have a satisfactory cup of coffee. A few old grounds, lodged in a groove in the pot, may spoil the flavor of the finest berry.
If you cannot have cream for your cup of coffee, at least have hot milk.