My Thrift Store Find
One day last summer, I spied a guy at our farmer’s market giving free samples of iced coffee. Since I can tolerate a little bit, I headed in his direction. Monty Ruckman, a Specialty Coffee Roaster and owner of Cabin Creek Roasters, was a personable guy and not only gave me a sample but also my two little boys. That really impressed them.
Perhaps you remember my sharing about Monty and having a coffee giveaway last fall.
Well, that day at the market, we talked at length about how he roasts his coffee, where he gets his beans, and the different blends he offers. I also shared with him how my son, who lives in Haiti, brought home Haitian coffee that he has specially roasted for himself and how we all enjoyed it. Then, after complementing him on his iced coffee, I had to confess to Monty that I couldn’t drink coffee on a regular basis because of my stomach.
“Oh, lots of people think that. But you can cold brew the coffee and it removes a lot of the acids so that your stomach will tolerate it,” he shared.
Incredulous, I wanted to know more. Unfortunately, my cell phone rang and I had to go. So I followed up with Monty and peppered him with questions.
Since I had quit drinking coffee years ago because it bothered my stomach, this method really intrigued me. The cold brew method is supposed to cut 67% of the acid from the finished product. But, tightwad that I am, I just couldn’t bring myself to spend $40 for a funnel/carafe system not knowing if I was going to stick with it.
Well, wouldn’t you know, almost a year later I found the Toddy Cold Brew Coffee Maker at my local thrift store for $1.50–NEW IN THE BOX!
The Toddy
To make cold brew coffee, you need a special device. This is sort of like a funnel with a filter, but a little more complicated. In 1964, after tasting a cup of coffee made from a concentrate, a gentleman named Todd Simpson developed and patented The Toddy. Since that time, several other devices have come on the scene.
How to cold brew coffee
Basically, you place a very thick fibrous filter in the bottom of the device and pour a pound of coarsely ground coffee beans into it. You have to grind the beans yourself to get them coarse enough. Regular drip coffee from the grocery will not do. Beneath this is a small hole in which you insert a rubber stopper. On top the grounds, you pour cold water and let sit for 10-12 hours.
After the grounds steep in the water, you set the device atop the carafe and pull out the plug. This allows the brew to drain out. This process makes 1 quart of concentrate that will keep in the refrigerator for up to 6 weeks and on the counter for 4.
Using the concentrate
If you want a hot cup of coffee, pour 2-3 ounces of concentrate into your mug. Add enough hot water to fill. Or, you can add cold water and heat in the microwave. You can also use the concentrate to make iced coffee, or a frappe in the blender.
According to Monty, “You’ve never tasted a smoother cup of coffee.”
According to my 17-year-old: “Wow, mom! That’s good.”
According to the picky coffee connoisseur home on furlough from Haiti : “I’m shocked. I honestly thought it would be taste-less. Can I have some more?”
According to Hubby: Well, he’s just telling everyone in sight about how good it is and actually drank the whole carafe. (I only got two iced coffees out of the whole thing.)
So, if you have some gastro-intestinal issues that have kept you from enjoying a morning cup of java, I encourage you to try the cold-brew method. According to Monty of Cabin Creek Roasters, you will “never have a lick of trouble” again.
This post is linked to Favorite Things Blog Hop, Simple Lives Thursday, Homemaking Link Up, the Hearth and Soul Blog Hop, and Domestically Divine Tuesday. Check them out!
Portions of this story previously published at www.naturalhealthezine.com.
Sounds interesting – I need to pass this along to my daughter, who loves hot and cold coffee.
Thanks, Carol, for sharing this. Have a great week!
She will love it, Karen. Especially to have on hand for iced coffees.
Carol, I have never been a coffee drinker. It killed my stomach from my first sip. Even when I couldn’t taste it in a Swiss Miss Double chocolate instant. This is interesting. At our home we sing the coffee song. If it smells so good why dos it taste so bad. We may have to give this a try.
Down side to cold brew is you don’t fill your kitchen with that wonderful smell
.
Interesting! Guess I’ll also have to wait for my Toddy from a thrift store. ;-P
great post! i did know about cold brewing coffee but i didn’t know that it helped take out some acidity. you can make cold brew with just a regular french press… you don’t have to buy anything special for it.
here is how to do it with a french press
http://www.americastestkitchenfeed.com/do-it-yourself/2011/08/how-to-make-cold-brew-coffee/
Thanks for sharing, Kristen. I’m hopping over there to read your link.
What an interesting post! I had no idea you could cold brew coffee so this was all new to me. I’m so glad that you found a way to enjoy coffee again!
Thanks for visiting, April. Stay tuned for a post on making iced coffee with the cold brew. YUM!
I’ve been cold brewing with my Toddy Maker for over 7 years now (bought one when they first came out) and love it. Still have the original equipment (think I paid $25 for it) with some extra filters.
Wanted to add that I store my filter in a ziplock filled with Jack Daniels in the fridge between use and a filter usually last me several years.
I grind my coffee at my local co-op using the highest course setting.
LOVE MY TODDY MAKER!
Forgot to add that I fill ice trays with the concentrate right after I make a batch and that way I have a constant ready supply waiting in the freezer. Simply throw in a couple of cubes, add water and heat in small pan on stove. Couldn’t be easier.
As far as smoothness goes, you can’t beat the taste but I will add that after drinking cold brewed coffee for awhile you’ll definetaly have a hard time going back to the acidic taste of your local coffee shop.
Thanks for sharing, Joe. It’s nice to hear the experiences of others. About the filter…is the Jack Daniels to keep bacteria from growing? I’ve been allowing mine to air dry. Wouldn’t that do the same thing? Do you rinse out the filter before using or does your coffee have a hint of whiskey flavor? Asking for those that might not want the alcohol in their coffee.
Also, I’m learning to roast my own beans, so you might want to check back for a post on that.
The person who I originally heard about the Toddy Maker from recommended soaking the filter in bourbon when not using. Sounded reasonable so I started doing it and I’ve done it ever since (checked with my wife and she thinks I’ve been making cold brewed coffee this way for probably 10 years.)
I rinse out my filter before use so never taste any whiskey in my coffee.
Thought about roasting my own beans but that is an art that I’ll leave to others right now but maybe someday.
Hi Carol -
Off topic. I linked to one of your posts today.
Blessings,
Susan
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Nice post. I am fan of coffee not cold coffee. Thanks for sharing with Hearth and Soul blog hop.
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