toddy cold brew
On a hot summer day it's nice to be able to have an ice-cold coffee drink. Whether that be an iced latte, an ice blended sweet coffee concoction, or a smooth glass of cold brew, coffee over ice opens up a whole new range of flavor possibilities.
I recently got a Toddy Cold Brew System to make iced coffee at home the proper way. The results so far have been great! I do not take much credit as I simply followed the Toddy recipe and chose the type of beans to use. My first batch turned out smooth, with a natural slight sweetness and no bitterness.
If you're interested in checking out the world of cold brew coffee read on!
the cold brew difference
You might be asking, what's the difference between "cold brew" and just throwing some ice cubes in freshly brewed coffee? While there are various good methods of getting to a great cold coffee, the cold brew method has some unique benefits.
It's a brewing method that has been around for centuries. The "cold" in cold brew refers to the temperature of the water used in the brewing process. Rather than using hot water to filter through the grounds in a relatively short period of time, cold water is used and the grounds steep for 12 to 24 hours. Only after the steeping is complete do you let the water pass on through the filter.
What you end up with is a very concentrated brew meant to be cut with water or milk. It can also be served hot by adding 2 or 3 parts steaming water to one part coffee concentrate. Either way you drink it you have a very smooth, naturally sweet brew with virtually no bitterness. A well made cold brew with the right beans can taste reminiscent of a cold glass of chocolate milk, even when served black over ice with no added sugar.
Tap either image to learn more or purchase a Toddy Cold Brew Maker from Peace Coffee
toddy
Toddy is probably the most well known brand in cold brew systems for both commercial and home use. Founded almost 60 years ago after the founder tried cold brew coffee served hot while on a trip to Peru. Toddy's designs for their commercial and home equipment is basic, effective, easy to use, and it lasts. There really isn't much that can break on a Toddy Cold Brew System. As long as you clean it properly and use it according to instructions, it should last you for many years.
Toddy, LLC is a privately held, woman-owned business with headquarters in Loveland, Colorado. They are certified by the Women's Business Enterprise National Council. (More information on the WBENC can be found via the link at the end of this article.)
WBENC is the largest certifier of women-owned businesses in the U.S. and a leading advocate for women business owners and entrepreneurs.brewing
While there are various recipes and methods of making cold brew, I'll just briefly go over the recipe from Toddy that I use. While I will no doubt experiment with others, I've found this recipe to suit my tastes very well. I use Peace Coffee's Yeti Cold Brew Blend, a medium roast well suited to cold brew or regular hot brewed coffee.
Peace Coffee's Yeti Cold Brew Blend is an excellent choice for cold or hot coffee. Get some here.
The recipe is quite simple:
1.) 12 oz (340 g) of coffee ground coarse
2.) 7 cups (56 fl. oz.) of water
3.) Add 1 cup (235 mL) water into the Toddy brewing container along
with 6 ounces (170 g) of ground coffee.
4.) Slowly pour 3 cups (710 mL) of water over the ground
in a circular motion.
5.) Wait five minutes, then add the remaining 6 oz (170 g) of ground coffee.
6.) To finish, slowly add the last 3 cups (710 mL) of water.
7.) DO NOT STIR! Press down gently on the topmost grounds with a spoon
to ensure all are wet.
8.) Let steep at room temperature for 12 to 24 hours
9.) Remove stopper from brewing container and let coffee
filter into glass decanter.
And that's it!
Toddy's recipe recommends a ratio of 1 part coffee to 3 parts water or milk. This seemed just right to me for this blend of coffee, so I would recommend starting there too. Depending on the strength of coffee you prefer you may want to adjust that. If I want milk in it, I do 1 part coffee, 2 parts water, 1 part milk over ice.
Below is a helpful video Toddy has posted on YouTube demonstrating the whole process:
No cream, please.
Just ice. Sip, breathe.
Exhale. Repeat, with book in hand.
Relax. Slow down. Eliminate hurry.
in case you were wondering...
What about those big towers with all the glass tubes? Isn't that a great way to make cold brew?
Well yes, it is indeed. But that is a whole other arena to be covered more fully in a future article after I get my hands on one. The most familiar one is probably the Yama Cold Brew Drip Tower. These are beautifully designed devices and are really interesting to use. Check out this brief video from Clive Coffee showing how to use one.
For more information on the Yama Cold Brew Drip Tower visit Clive Coffee's product page. They sell a lot of coffee and espresso equipment and are a great resource for brewing tips.
resources mentioned in this article
-Women's Business Enterprise National Council
-Peace Coffee Yeti Cold Brew Blend
-Yama Cold Brew Tower at Clive Coffee
-Sustainable Java's Page on Peace Coffee