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This Holiday Season, Give an Active Gift That Keeps on Giving

Are you looking for a fun holiday gift or tradition that will keep on giving? Find your best friend, closest relative, or even that coworker you’d like to get to know a little better and pick up a great new hobby: Roasting your own coffee! Read on to find out our DIY basics and more tips from the expert coffee roasters at Lavanta – your 5-star coffee shop!

Step 1: Choose the best green coffee beans
The first step to a delicious home roast operation is high-quality coffee beans. You can buy green coffee beans online from Lavanta, or if you’re in the NJ area, stop in to buy coffee beans in bulk! Whether you enjoy café kopi luwak, Sumatra, or any other blend, we can help you choose the best beans.

Step 2: Choose your roasting tool
Professional coffee roasters like Lavanta use specialty coffee roasting equipment. While you can purchase a home roast setup, for new coffee roasters, you can also use a cast iron pot or even a popcorn popper!

Step 3: Roast!
Finally, we get to the real event. Turn up that heat and roast those beans! After the first “crack” you hear, keep an eye on the color of your beans, as this will determine the roast level. Leave on longer for darker roasts, but make sure not to overdo it! For new coffee roasters, try roasting in small quantities so you can keep an eye on the progress… and in case of overcooking!

Step 4: Cool, grind, and enjoy
The last step enters familiar grounds for coffee lovers. Allow your roasted beans to cool, and store them for a few days to let the flavors breathe. After that, grind them up and brew as usual for the freshest cup ever!
Now that you know how to do it, why not make this a fun holiday tradition with your favorite coffee lover? Love to have a backup plan in case your home roast is a flop? Check out our gift packs of K-cups, beans, and more! For a delicious cup with absolutely no work, visit our coffee shop in New Jersey!

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Ingredients

For the Pork
  • 5 lbs pork butt or shoulder (trimmed and cut into 2 pieces)
  • Salt & pepper (to taste, rub all over pork)
  • 4–5 cloves garlic
  • 1 white onion, sliced

For the Sauce

  • 1 cup beef broth
  • 1 cup strong brewed coffee ☕
  • 1/4 cup brown sugar
  • 2 tbsp tomato paste
  • 2 tbsp Worcestershire sauce
  • 1 tbsp paprika
  • 1 tsp cumin
  • 1 tsp garlic powder
  • 1 tsp onion powder
  •  

Directions

  • In a small bowl, mix all sauce ingredients until combined.
  • Layer the bottom of your crockpot with the sliced onions and garlic.
  • Place the seasoned pork on top of the onion and garlic layer.
  • Pour the prepared sauce over the pork.
  • Cover and cook on low for 6–8 hours, until the pork is fork-tender.
  • Remove the pork and shred with two forks.

Optional

For a thicker sauce, transfer it to a pot and simmer on the stove for 10 minutes. Pour the thickened sauce over the shredded pork before serving.
Enjoy this tender, flavorful dish with your favorite sides or piled high on a sandwich bun! 🤤

Here’s how to whip it up:

Ingredients

  • 3/4 cup whole milk 🥛
  • 3 tbsp sugar
  • 2 tbsp unsweetened cocoa powder 🍫
  • 1 cup freshly brewed espresso or strong coffee ☕
  • 1 candy cane (or 1/4 tsp peppermint extract)
  • 1/4 tsp vanilla extract

Directions

  1. In a small saucepan, combine milk, cocoa powder, and sugar.
  2. Heat gently until small bubbles form around the edges.
  3. Stir in your coffee, vanilla extract, and half of the candy cane (or peppermint extract). Remove from heat.
    Pour into your favorite mug, top with whipped cream, chocolate shavings, and garnish with the other half of the candy cane.

✨ Pro tip: Sip by a window and watch the snow fall for maximum cozy vibes!

How to Make Cold Brew Coffee at Home

Whether you’re just getting started or refining your technique, this guide will walk you through making smooth, delicious cold brew coffee right in your kitchen.

Why Make Cold Brew at Home?

  • Smoother, less acidic taste
  • Highlights the natural sweetness of beans
  • Customizable strength and flavors
  • Longer shelf life (up to 2 weeks in the fridge)
  • Easy to make in batches for convenience

What Is Cold Brew?

Cold brew is not the same as iced coffee. Here’s the difference:

  • Iced Coffee: Brewed hot, then poured over ice. Quick and bright, but more acidic.
  • Cold Brew: Made by steeping coarsely ground beans in cold water for 12–24 hours. The result? A smooth, low-acid, subtly sweet coffee concentrate.

What You’ll Need

Basic equipment:

  • Coarsely ground coffee
  • Cold or room temperature water
  • Jar (e.g., mason jar),
  • French press, or cold brew maker
  • Fine-mesh strainer or coffee filter

Optional:

  • Spoon for stirring
  • Pitcher or bottle for storage

How to Make Cold Brew Coffee at Home

Method 1: Mason Jar + Strainer

  • Ratio: 1 cup coffee (113g) to 4 cups water
  • Add grounds to jar, pour in water, and stir
  • Cover and let steep at room temperature
    for 12–24 hours
  • Strain through a fine-mesh sieve (use a coffee filter for finer clarity)
  • Store in the fridge for up to 2 weeks
  • Serve diluted to taste with water, milk, or sweetener over ice

Method 2: French Press or Cold Brew Maker

  • Use same 1:4 coffee-to-water ratio
  • Stir to saturate grounds
  • Steep in fridge for 12–24 hours
  • Press plunger or follow device’s straining instructions
  • Store concentrate in the fridge
  • Dilute and serve as desired

Flavor Ideas & Customizations

Try infusing or enhancing your cold brew with:

  • Spices: Cinnamon sticks, cardamom, vanilla beans
  • Sweeteners: Caramel, hazelnut, or flavored syrups (prefer liquid sweeteners for better mixing)
  • Milk options: Almond, oat, coconut, or traditional milk
  • Fruits: Citrus zest, berries, or apple slices for a refreshing twist

Serving Tips

Cold brew is not the same as iced coffee. Here’s the difference:

  • Coffee Ice Cubes: Freeze leftover cold brew in ice trays to avoid watering down your drink
  • Glass or Stainless Steel Tumblers: Keep your brew colder, longer—and avoid plastic aftertaste

Storage Tips

  • Keep cold brew in an airtight container in the refrigerator
  • Avoid storing near strong-smelling foods to prevent flavor contamination
  • Lasts up to 2 weeks if kept properly

Enjoy crafting your own cold brew at home—smooth, simple, and exactly how you like it.

Our Brand-New Shiny Website Is Almost Ready!

We’re brewing up something fresh, flavorful, and fabulous behind the scenes. Stay tuned—it’s launching soon!

Need coffee now? Email info@lavantacoffee.com or call (862) 881-4683. We’ve got you covered!

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