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Acidity and Coffee

In our retail store we are often asked about acidity in coffee. While there’s not a one size fits all approach to answering this question, we have outlined a few points to consider.

The term “acidity” is used a few different ways in the coffee industry.

  1. Acidity can be used to describe the bright and tangy sensation that differentiates higher-grown coffee apart from lower-grade coffee. Tasting notes may describe acidic coffee as sour, citrus, tangy.
  2. Acidity can be used to describe the unpleasant stomach irritant that some coffee drinkers may experience. Sometimes it is due to the reaction the body has to caffeine.
  3. Acidity can be measured on the pH scale, which uses 7.0 as an indicator of neutrality. Numbers over 7 are lower-acid and numbers under 7 are more acidic. Black coffee is considered low on the pH scale around 5.  By comparison, lemon juice has a pH around 2, water is around a pH 7, and baking soda is around pH 9.

There are a few ways to limit the amount of acidity in your coffee.

  1. Choosing coffees that are roasted as medium to dark roasts can reduce acidity in the coffee. However, the darker the roast the more it masks what makes the coffee unique (the origin or “terroir”) and the roast style becomes more noticeable. For darker roasts you may see tasting notes that describe the coffee as bittersweet and dark chocolate.
  2. Try coffee origins (regions) where the coffee tends to have less acidity such as Sumatra, Peru, Colombia or Mexico.
  3. Cold brew your coffee. There’s a reaction that happens when hot water hits the coffee grounds. But using cool or room temperature water and slowing down the brewing process (you need 12-24 hours to brew your coffee) you can reduce the amount of acidity in your coffee. By using the Toddy Cold Brew System that we have in our Tasting Room, you can brew a coffee concentrate that you can keep in your refrigerator. You can add milk, milk alternatives and water to the concentrate to make a ready to drink beverage. If you prefer hot coffee, add hot water to the concentrate and you can continue to enjoy a cup of hot coffee.
  4. Brew using a Chemex Coffee Maker. The paper filters are approximately 20-30% thicker than most paper filters. Chemex Coffee Filters are double-bonded and filter out acidity, bitterness, fats and sediments.

COFFEE RECOMMENDATIONS

A few coffees to consider that have lower-acidity:

  • Sumatran Mandheling (medium roast)
  • Fair Trade Certified Mexico (medium roast)
  • Fair Trade Certified Peru (medium roast)

BREWING EQUIPMENT RECOMMENDATIONS

  • Toddy Coffee Maker*
  • Chemex Coffee Maker*

*both models sold in retail store

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Brewing with the Aeropress

The AeroPress may be a small coffee maker but it’s is one of the most flexible coffee makers on the market. Depending on the recipe, you can brew anything from a single cup of coffee to concentrated espresso-like coffee.

The entire brewing process for the AeroPress takes about 30 seconds. After pouring coffee and hot water into the AeroPress chamber, set the chamber on top of your coffee cup and press. The coffee will be pressed through a paper filter and into your coffee mug.

Once you’re done brewing your coffee, just tap off the grounds and give the AeroPress a quick rinse and let dry.

Why we like the AeroPress:

  • Durable, easy to clean and portable.
  • Constructed with BPA-Free plastic.
  • The AeroPress comes with a paddle for stirring, 350 microfilters and plastic filter holder, funnel and coffee scoop.
  • It’s ideal for travel, the office for in the kitchen.

What you will need:

  • Freshly roasted coffee from Red Cedar Coffee Co.
  • Grinder
  • AeroPress and filter
  • Water Kettle

Pro-tip:

If you enjoy tweaking your coffee brewing recipes check out the recipes on the World Aeropress Championship website.

The AeroPress kit and replacement coffee filters are available at Red Cedar Coffee Co.’s retail store in Berea.

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Brewing with the Hario v60

The Hario v60 is one of the easiest ways to brew coffee 1-3 cups of coffee at a time.

Small and portable the Hario v60 has become a favorite brewing method for the office and for those that brew their coffee on the road.

The small ridges of the v60 help the filter from sticking to the walls of the dripper.

The Hario v60 is great for bright coffees where you can pick up floral and fruity notes.

 

Why we like the Hario coffee brewer:

The Hario v60 is one of the easiest and most approachable brew methods. It takes up minimal space and the cleanup is easy since you are brewing directly into the cup.

The Hario v60 brews coffee is a shorter time, approximately 3 minutes per cup.

 

What you will need:

  • Freshly roasted coffee from Red Cedar Coffee Co.
  • Grinder
  • Hario v60 dripper
  • #2 Hario filters
  • Water Kettle

 

Pro tip:

Use a digital scale to repeat your favorite coffee recipe.

A good starting point for your coffee to water ratio is 1:16. Use 1 ounce of coffee to 16 ounces of water. Tweak the ratio to your liking.

 

In the retail store:

We offer the Hario v60 in ceramic and plastic along with Hario v60 #2 filters.

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Brewing with a French Press

The French press brews a full-bodied cup of coffee. If you’re looking to pick up more of the characteristics that make your coffee unique, this is your brew method!

The French press is an immersion brewing method, meaning that the coffee grounds are steeped in hot water before being pressed to the bottom by a metal filter.

You will want to use a coarse grind for brewing your French press coffee. Pour the amount of coffee you’d like into the press then add hot water. Place the lid on top of the French press with the metal filter up. Wait 4-6 minutes and press the metal filter down. Pour and enjoy!

Why we like the French Press

It’s a great brewing method to relax and enjoy your coffee.

What you will need

  • Freshly roasted coffee from Red Cedar Coffee Co.
  • Grinder
  • French Press
  • Water Kettle
  • Digital Scale (to help replicate your favorite recipe)

Pro-tip

We find that steeping your coffee for 4-6 minutes is the sweet spot.

Pictured above

Our retail store carries double-walled stainless-steel French presses. The French presses have new technologies that create a barrier between the coffee and coffee grounds meaning you won’t have to worry about bitter coffee. Also pictured is a handmade stoneware mug.

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Brewing with a Chemex Coffeemaker

“What is that?” is a question we often hear in our retail store. For many reasons it is one of our favorite ways to brew coffee.

This brew method is a piece of art that is represented in numerous art museums including the Corning Museum of Glass and Museum of Modern Art (MOMA) in New York.

What is the Chemex?
Invented by chemist Dr. Peter Schlumbohm in 1941, the Chemex combines the beauty of an hour glass with the function of a coffee maker. What makes this piece of art even more impressive is that it brews consistently smooth coffee.

Why do we like the Chemex?
The double bonded Chemex paper filter removes a molecule in coffee oils which creates a clean cup of coffee free from bitterness.

The Chemex does especially well in with washed coffees like our Guatemala Antigua and Costa Rica La Lia Finca Dragon.

We carry the 8-cup (40 ounce) Chemex and coffee filters in our retail store in Berea, Ohio.

Brewing Tip: Use a digital scale when using a Chemex for accuracy.

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Toddy Cold Brew

We have recently been fielding questions on cold brew technique at the Red Cedar Coffee Co. retail store in Berea, Ohio. As we head into the warm summer months it is not hard to think about cool summertime beverages. Cold brew coffee is one of those options.

While cold brew tends to be most popular during the summer, increasingly it is being served year-round in cafes and restaurants. The Toddy Cold Brew System brews a coffee concentrate using cold or room temperature water. When you are ready to drink cold brew coffee simply add 3 parts of water milk or soy (cool or steaming) to 1 part coffee.

Why we like the Toddy Cold Brew System

One benefit to cold brew coffee is the longer brew time (using cooler water) removes much of the acidity naturally found in coffee (50-67% less acidity compared to drip coffee makers according to Toddy).

Another benefit is that the Toddy Cold Brew system is easy to brew and clean. The coffee concentrate stays fresh up to 2 weeks in the refrigerator.

What comes with the Toddy Cold Brew System

The system comes with a brewing container, glass decanter, lid, Toddy filters (2) and a rubber stopper. The Toddy Cold Brew system is BPA free.

Red Cedar Coffee Co. sells the Toddy Cold Brew System, replacement stoppers, filters and filter bags.

Brewing Steps:

  1. Pour coarsely ground coffee and cold water into the brewing container.
  2. Steep for 12-24 hours.
  3. Filter the coffee concentrate into the glass decanter. Stays fresh for up to 2 weeks.

Cold Brew Coffee Recommendations

While any coffee may be used to brew cold brew coffee, we have a couple recommendations. If you prefer fruitier coffees try our Kenya AA or Ethiopian Sidamo. For chocolaty notes try our Fair Trade Certified Organic Colombian.

Thai Iced Coffee*

Ingredients

4 oz. Toddy® Cold Brewed Coffee

1/4 tsp. Cardamom

2 oz. Half and Half

Ice

Directions

Stir all ingredients, except the ice, together in a 16 oz. cup until well combined. Fill with ice.

Orange Truffle*

Ingredients

3 oz. Toddy® Cold Brewed Coffee (Use coffee beans with chocolate notes)

1 oz. Chocolate Syrup

1 oz. Caramel Syrup

1 oz. Orange Juice

6 Ice Cubes

2 oz. Cold Milk

Directions

Stir together ingredients (except milk and ice). Pour into tall glass over ice, add milk and serve.

Café Français*

Ingredients

1/4 cup Heavy Cream, Chilled

1 tbs. Confectioners’ Sugar

1/4 tsp. Vanilla

3/4 cup Toddy® Cold Brewed Coffee

1/4 cup Steaming Hot Water

Directions

Beat cream until rich and fluffy, with soft peaks. Mix in sugar, and continue to beat until stiff peaks. Add whipped cream to mug. Mix Toddy® coffee concentrate with water and steam. Add vanilla and pour over cream. Serve right away, and do not stir.

*Recipes from Toddy.com. Additional Toddy cold brew recipes may be found here.

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