Toddy with a French Press
Toddy coffee, or cold brewed coffee, is becoming more and more popular, and for good reason. The coffee you end up with is very smooth, and contains much lower acidity levels than a brew made with hot water, making it an excellent option if you’re sensitive to acid in your coffee. Also, cold brewed coffee makes excellent iced coffee. For anyone who truly loves their coffee iced, whether with milk or other condiments or not, there really is no competition between an iced espresso and a cup of Toddy. The good news is that it’s easy to make at home. Many Toddy kits are now available to consumers, many of which make great coffee, are easy to use, and don’t cost much. But what if you don’t make toddy that often but would enjoy it every now and then? And if you could avoid the $35 cost, and save the space in your cupboard? In comes your trusty Planetary Design french press! While we always talk about how a good quality french press can make the best hot coffee and tea, we often don’t think of it as being more versatile. A french press can make excellent cold brewed coffee, and in smaller, and thus fresher, quantities than many systems you’d buy for home use. And don’t forget in case you’re not thinking of it yet…but it can also make iced tea, or cold brewed tea as well! Here are some basic instructions:
- Grind your favorite fresh whole bean coffee to a coarse grind (such as a percolator grind, ensuring large consistent grinds with no small or powdery grounds)
- Add the coffee to your press. The amount varies on your taste and of course the size of the press you’re using. Maybe start with 1 cup coffee to 2-3 cups water, and alter that ratio as you experiment. Different ratios will produce different flavor profiles based off many factors such as the coffee you use, the grind size, how long you steep it, etc.
- Pour in your cold filtered water (do not use distilled) and stir.
- Let it set for about 10 minutes.
- Stir again to break up the ‘puck’ of coffee that has probably formed at the top.
- Cover the press with your top (plunger up) or cover with saran wrap.
- Store in the fridge or at room temperature for at least 12 hours, or even as long as 24. (storing it at room temperature vs the fridge will gives different flavor profiles so experiment away!)
- After your wait, press the plunger down just like you would a regular french press.
- Now choose between fine filtering or not…
- You can leave the brew like it is, leaving the fine particulate in the coffee which definitely gives it a certain mouth feel and flavor. Many like this, however some people state they can tell over time that the small amount of grounds actually steeps the coffee further.
- If you’d like to remove the fine particulate, simply pour the coffee into a coffee filter set over a pitcher.
- Skip the sugar and add a pinch of kosher salt to the iced coffee. No, really, trust us…think of salting a steak and how much better it tastes.
- Add an organic syrup to flavor it
- Of course, add half n half or milk…or soy!
- For a global experience, try making Vietnamese Coffee. Add condensed milk out of a can into your iced coffee, along with a bit of half n half. It’s an amazing winning combo!
