The cold brew conundrum

(Mandy) #1

So I love cold brew… I mean really love. I was going to buy a bottle yesterday, Starbucks, black and unsweetened. The ingredients are coffee and water but yet the carb count is 3. I’ve seen this posted online, the question that is.

I thought about this and could it possibly be that cold brew is very, very concentrated? I make my own jugs of cold brew usually so I know how much coffee goes into it. It’s a good 4-6 times as much as regular coffee. Could the low carb counts in regular coffee be adding up due to the concentration? Really curious about this since the ingredients are only coffee and water.

(Erin Macfarland ) #2

I noticed this too when I went go buy some. Some brands have lower carb counts, I’m not sure what makes it have any carbs it might be the brewing process

(Mandy) #3

Just found this on the interwebs

"Brewed coffee itself is way way way low on carbs – negligible unless you’re drinking 2 pots a day.

Espresso (made under press) has more than negligible carbs – about 1/2g of carbs per ounce of espresso.

Starbucks brewing method for iced coffee is to make it quite a bit stronger so the ice dilutes the coffee. This has the side effect of having slightly more carbs than standard brewed hot coffee.

If you brew at home and you’re not drinking 2 pots a day, your carb count is negligible and can basically be ignored."

Seems to support my theory.

(back and doublin' down) #4

I brew my own in a large quantity that lasts me 7-10 days. I figure I use coffee beans and water and never consider there being carbs?? Maybe the bottled stuff has some preservative or additive that creates carbs?

The lack of acid is a reason I won’t go back to hot brewing every morning. Store mine in wine bottles with a one ounce liquor pour gadget. Add hot boiling water to the concentrate, deciding for myself how strong I make each cup. Went a long way towards eliminating my reflux before I found keto!

(Mandy) #5

This is genius. I have had terrible Gerd for years but have yet to give up coffee. It seems even worse on keto, I assume the fat is aggravating. I need to try your method to keep the acid levels lower.

(back and doublin' down) #6

I use this gadget: https://www.amazon.com/Filtron-Coffee-Concentrate-Brewer-Filter/dp/B00XBCDUSI/ref=sr_1_133?s=kitchen&ie=UTF8&qid=1526821151&sr=1-133&keywords=cold+brew+coffee+maker

However, until you decide this is for you, it’s super simple to cold brew coffee in a French press or even a mason jar. Even in my geographically challenged area, local supermarkets have ‘cold brew kits’ in amongst the other coffee filters and selections.

I started out with some freshly ground beans in my French press with cold water at night, and 8-10 hours later, had cold brewed coffee! It’s great for over ice, and doesn’t have the same bitter quality that hot brewed coffee has. Requires some planning and patience.

The Pioneer Woman has a detailed plan of her own: http://thepioneerwoman.com/cooking/perfect-iced-coffee

Happy Brewing!

(Mandy) #7

I actually already use the pioneer woman method… Ha. Several years ago I bought a huge container like hers. It takes up a lot of space so your method looks way easier! I never thought about adding some to hot water to it though… Sometimes I like a hot cup on cold mornings!

Thanks for the info!

(Bacon for the Win) #8

thanks for the link. We drink a lot of black iced coffee and should really be making our own. We used to make it back in the sugar burner days and have just gotten away from it.

(back and doublin' down) #9

You are quite welcome! I was a cold brew fanatic before I was a Keto Fanatic!

(Allan L) #10

Thanks to this thread my first every attempt at cold brew coffee is sitting in the fridge and will be ready for consumption tomorrow morning. :wink:

(Mandy) #11

Yay! nothing like a big cup of cold brew on a warm almost summer morning.

(Bacon for the Win) #12

Here in New Engand we drink iced coffee year round… at least my husband and I do. I’m tired of the over-priced coffee at Dunks, which is bitter more often than not. Not crazy about SB either, and I’m so far in the stick I don’t think there’s even one near me. There’s a convienence store/gas station chain that has great coffee but again, not close to us. Don’t know why we got away from making our own.

(back and doublin' down) #13

I use my cold brewed for both cold coffee (w/ ice and maybe some additions) and for hot coffee by diluting with boiling water.

Totally agree on that whole ‘bitter’ thing ~ another reason I always make my own :yum:

(Mandy) #14

After reading this from you yesterday, I did the same this morning. turned out great and didn’t feel the acid after effects.