(by 16 people)
Most like it hot (brewed)....
I am a big fan of cold brewed coffee...but many abhor it. It's got about 60% less acid than other brewing methods (which accounts for most of the flavor change) and more caffeine. That's okay by me. I like ALL KINDS of coffee: French press, percolator, espresso, drip -- coffee is wonderful stuff. But for my everyday, always-got-a-cup-in-my-hand times, I like what is known as a hot Toddy, named after the fellow who invented the easy way to brew cold coffee.
From what I understand, even the big coffee shops, such as Starbucks and others use coffee "concentrate" or "elixer" in some of their recipes. I know that if you add about one jigger of concentrate to a large Dairy Queen shake it makes a great Java Shake! It also makes great ice coffee! (Most commercial iced coffees in the cooler at the convenience store were made with cold brewed coffee!)
To learn what others think of cold brew coffee, check out the Toddy/Coldbrew Thread at the Coffee forums. People from all walks of life have put together a very enlightening discussion about this unique way to make coffee.
The Best Way to Make Cold Brewed Coffee
The easiest way to brew it is to get the Toddy System. You can read the brewing instructions here. In a nutshell, you take one pound of ground coffee, let it steep in about 9 cups of water for 10 to twelve hours then drain off the concentrate.However, I found some places where people try to save the $30 for the system. I have yet to try them, but I don't see why they wouldn't work. I have my own recipe I use, and you'll probably play with it some yourself before you find a concentrate you like. It's kind of like brewing beer; you experiment until you find exactly what you're looking for in flavor.
How-to Cold Brew Coffee
Since it's not rocket science, there's lots of ideas online about how to cold brew coffee!
- Cold Brew Coffee with a Toddy Coffee Maker
- Michael Allen Smith does a great job (with pictures) on how to cold brew coffee with the Toddy System. A definite must-see before you just-do!
- Cold Brew Coffee on the Cheap
- Malcom McFarren shows a pretty easy (and virtually free) way to build your own cold brew coffee system...for those who want to try this type of coffee before buying a Toddy System.
- Simplified Cold Brewing
- Here's how Tom Hawkins puts together his brewing system -- simple and, uh unique.
Cold Brew Coffee Tools
Toddy Maker Cold Brew Coffee Maker
This is the system I use -- very easy to clean (even I can do it) and everything you need is there!
Amazon Price: $27.79 (as of 10/08/2008)
List Price: $36.50
Usually ships in 2-3 business days
Starbucks House Blend Ground Coffee, 16-Ounce FlavorLock Bags
It's what I started with, and when the budget allows, I go with it! It is heavenly cold brewed!
Amazon Price: $13.12 (as of 10/08/2008)
List Price: $18.99
Usually ships in 1-2 business days
Boardroom Brown Carafe by Trudeau
I keep this around in case I have company -- I just make a whole pot instead of one cup at a time.
Amazon Price: (as of 10/08/2008)
List Price:
Cold Brew Coffee Recipes
When just a hot cup of Joe ain't enough...
- ToddyCafe
- This is a home site of the Toddy System. Sign up for a registered account and you can download "The Toddy Recipe Collection" for free. This 122 page ebook has recipes for hot and cold drinks, desserts, breads, meats, alcoholic beverages and more.
- Cool Brew Recipes
- From the New Orleans based Cool Brew Coffee company. Some Great Dessert Drinks here!
My Cold Brew Coffee Recipes
Cup of Joe
1 part coffee concentrate
4-5 parts hot water
Boil water in the microwave. Let it set a minute or two before adding the concentrate. Then add cream, sugar, and any other condiment you like with your coffee. This is my everyday cup of joe.
Java Latte
1 part coffee concentrate
1 part whipping cream or 2 parts milk
3-4 parts water
Your favorite sweetener
Mix the whipping cream or milk with the water and heat; try not to boil it as it will sweeten the the mixture, and not in a good way. Mix in the concentrate then sweeten to taste. I occassionally like to sprinkle cinnamon or other spice on it for fun. Great on Saturday or Sunday mornings.
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TodDemuth
When I started this page, I didn't intend to create a debate on the financial issues of cold brew coffee, although it seems to have moved that way. I simply wanted to show some of the different ways one could make it. Everyone is going to put a different value upon what cold brew coffee is worth to them, and each is going to have their preferred method of brewing -- for whatever reasons -- and that's the way it should be. Posted August 16, 2008 |
To people who question the purpose of spending money on a cold brew system like the Toddy, I say this. You needn't spend money on a pizza cutter if you have a knife or on a dish rack when a towel will suffice. We use such tools not because they are necessary but because they offer superior utility and convenience at a low cost.
I've read blogs recommending insanely elaborate DIY cold brewing methods like this - http://www.ineedcoffee.com/06/coldhome/ - that cost more in time and effort than they save in dollars and cents. Consider the matter in economic terms. If I earn $10 per hour, and rather than spending $30 on a Toddy, I spend three hours over the next two months hand-filtering coffee, I've essentially made my money back (in labor hours) in just two months. Commodities may not bring happiness in and of themselves, but for those of us who live for life's simple pleasures, they can certainly make the path smoother and less acerbic along the way.
Posted July 24, 2008
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TodDemuth
Thanks Rebecca -- I have a bad habit of writing what I think and not "listening" to it from a reader's view. I fixed the ones you mentioned, and a couple others that seemed odd. Posted July 10, 2008 |
Good info. Your sentences can be confusing...like '60% or more less' and, How to cold brew coffee online? (How about 'more than 60% less caffeine' or 'online cold brewing instructions'.) You get the idea. The weird sentences detract from your good site & good info.
'Thanks.
Posted July 10, 2008
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ElizabethJeanAllen
Great lens! Posted June 20, 2008 |
