Love the invigorating aroma of fresh coffee, but a few gulps leave your stomach churning? The Toddy Coffee Maker, which brews coffee without using any heat, could be the solution. The manufacturer claims coffee made this way is 67 less acidic than traditional coffee because the cold-brew system extracts richer flavor and less acid than hot-brew techniques.
Using The Toddy is similar to making sun tea: Room-temperature water is steeped with 1 or 1/2 pound of grinds for 10-12 hours. The result is a coffee concentrate that can be diluted with water to taste and then heated or iced as you wish. One pound of coffee yields 24 8-ounce servings.
Since the method was unfamiliar, mastering The Toddy took some practice. But after a couple of trial runs, we found the process simple. We tested regular grind, French roast and the full-bodied result- hot or cold-satisfied discerning taste buds without disturbing sensitive stomachs. Plus, since the concentrate keeps so well (two weeks in the fridge), you don't have to throw away unused coffee- easier on you and your wallet! (888-863-3974, toddycafe.com)
