5 Coffee Benefits For Busy Parents

Tired? Of course, you are.

You’re a parent. It’s what happens.

The “busy” schedule you had before kids looks like a vacation day now. Mornings, in particular, are exhausting to power through, which is why so many of us turn to coffee.

Oh, coffee. It’s our lightning in a mug that’s so essential when we’re feeling fatigued. It’s the cheese for our macaroni. It’s the jelly for our peanut butter. It’s the song for our dance.

Considering how dependent we are on coffee, it feels like a guilty pleasure. But if that’s how you feel, STOP! I have good news for you. Coffee is actually good for you! Especially when it’s cold brew! What is cold brew you say? Glad you asked.

WHAT IS COLD BREW?

Cold Brew Coffee, also called Cold Water Extract, is the process in which coffee is ground and soaked in filtered room temperature or cold water. The brewing process can be for a minimum of 12 hours and up to 36 hours to make cold brew concentrate.

After brewing, the coffee is then filtered after the coffee has “steeped.” We first filter it through a metal coffee filter and then through a paper filter. Because the beans never come in contact with heat, it produces a much different chemical profile than a cup of coffee brewed with
other methods.

The lower temperature allows many of the components that are broken down in a heated brew not to be dissolved completely, giving you a smoother, sometimes more delicious, cup of coffee. Cold brew coffee should not be confused with iced coffee because iced coffee is typically just regular brewed cooled and poured over ice.

Cold brew can be served as is, diluted with milk or water, served hot or over ice, or blended with other ingredients like we share below. And best yet, it's convenient and can be stashed in your diaper bag backpack for those on-the-go moments.

WHY COLD BREW?

DISPELLING THE ACIDITY MYTH

You often hear people say “I can’t drink coffee. It gives me acid reflux.” The truth is coffee isn’t inherently acidic. Coffee does contain acid, but it is not truly that acidic. It is more of a flavor profile rather than actually being acidic.

When it comes to coffee, the term acidity has a few different meanings. When we talk about acidity in coffee, it is not about the pH, as the pH in coffee is lower than most fruit juices and beer.

The word acidity refers to the character of the cup of coffee. The acidity has to do with the flavor much like in wine. So the acidity can actually be a good thing!

So, just to be clear, we as a society have created these rumors that coffee is acidic and bad for people with stomach issues or in general. It’s false. Some coffee has a flavor profile that tastes acidic, but there is no battery acid in there.

Cold brew will give you smooth coffee with no acidity taste as well as virtually no acid in comparison to the little amounts that existed anyway.

Secret: A cup of apple juice has more acidity than a cup of coffee.

THE CAFFEINE MYTH

People often ask, “Does cold brew have more caffeine, and does the roast matter?” Caffeine doesn’t vary between light, medium and dark roasts. Caffeine is stored in the bean, and roasting to different degrees helps to develop the taste but doesn’t actually impact the quality of the bean itself.

The roast doesn’t impact caffeine on a measurable level. Coffee contains caffeine, period.

Technically less caffeine is extracted using the cold brew process, but because cold brew uses a higher coffee to water ratio, between 2 & 2 1⁄2 times more, it compensates for the difference. This results in a cold brew with the same amount of caffeine or more than a regular cup of coffee.

But this is not the only variable when it comes to caffeine. Time, temperature, grind size, how fast the water flows through your grounds, contact time, and the type of coffee you use, also play big roles in the amount of caffeine that your brew will have.

If you are using cold brew as a method to limit your caffeine intake, you have a lot of variables to consider.

FIVE REASONS YOU SHOULD BE DRINKING COFFEE IF YOU AREN’T ALREADY

1.  Heart Health - Coffee contains a powerful source of healthy antioxidants, which help to fight inflammation, making it heart-healthy.
2. Helps Short Term Memory, Concentration, and Prevents Cognitive Decline - In addition to your heart, coffee is good for your mind. It helps with short-term memory, aids in concentration and helps protect you from cognitive decline.
3. Anti-Carcinogenic - Studies of coffee have also found it can curb certain cancers because Polyphenols in coffee have shown to be anti-carcinogenic. Coffee is also great for your liver and has been shown to lower the risk of cirrhosis and lowered liver enzymes.
4. Enhance Your Exercise - Many people think that caffeine is dehydrating, but you would have to consume upwards of 5 cups of coffee for that to happen, so only a few cups pose no interference to your workouts. Caffeine also enhances performance and endurance and helps to fight fatigue and strengthen muscle contraction.
5. Fight Depression - Caffeine in coffee also wards off depression by activating neurotransmitters dopamine and serotonin. It even lowers your risk of gout. 

There are many general health benefits to drinking coffee, so make sure you get your daily dose.

Want some further reading, check out this article from our friends at Coffeeness:  Additional Health Benefits

THE CONS OF DRINKING COFFEE

There are none. : )

You can drink plenty of coffee and still not worry about missing out on that all-important night of sleep!

THE BEANS

While you may think that all coffee is the same, this is not the case. Not all coffee is created equally, and if you don’t source the right beans, you may be doing harm to your body.

To be completely honest, bad coffee does taste bad, and it’s toxic. Because there is no control on the processing methods or where they are sourced, coffee beans almost always are contaminated with Mycotoxins.

Mycotoxins are compounds that create mold and damage the beans. They are linked to all sorts of health concerns such as hypertension, kidney disease, and brain damage. They also make your coffee taste bitter, so that you need to add cream and sugar.

The problem isn’t the coffee itself, but the mold in the coffee, which can be resolved if you get properly sourced beans. It is important that you get your coffee from a single estate that can typically be found online or in your local health food store.

Flavored coffees and decaf are the biggest offenders. Caffeine is a natural anti-insect and acts as a natural anti-fungal for the plants. The caffeine protects the beans from mold while in storage. When you remove the caffeine from the bean, it becomes helpless, thus allowing, even more, toxins in.

There are a few decaf brands that are ok to consume without problems, but we don’t recommend it unless you really know the process in which it is decaffeinated. As we stated earlier, coffee has amazing health benefits and is great for you if you have the right type of beans.

Don’t be afraid of coffee - just make sure you choose the best quality beans available and do your research.

THE GRIND

There are two types of grinders you can choose from, but they are not created equal and will yield two totally different qualities. If you drink coffee regularly and grind it, then you have probably heard a little about the difference between burr grinders and blade grinders.

If you thought all grinders were created equal, well, you are sorely mistaken. Many people have a blade grinder at home and think it works just fine. While it does grind the beans, it also doesn’t result in an even grind, leaving you with large and small particles. When the blades spin, it over-extracts the chemical compounds which can cause bitterness, and this gives you an unpredictable brew. For this reason, we do not recommend a blade grinder.

Secret: Blade grinders suck! Don’t do it!

A burr grinder is the best grinder whenever you are grinding your beans. There are two different types of burr grinders: the flat grinder and conical grinder. Both of these give you an even grind and will produce the best brew possible.

The burr grinder is made up of two revolving abrasive surfaces (called burrs) that the coffee is ground between, a couple of beans at a time. Unlike with a blade grinder, the burr grinder gives you the option to choose different grind sizes. Different grind sizes give you different flavor profiles.

If you are a true coffee lover, then these things count, because the end result is what matters most. If you buy the best beans, then they deserve the best grinder. The reason that coffee aficionados tend to choose burr grinders over blade is that the beans are ground to a uniform size, and you have more control over your grind than you do with a blade.

A uniform ground is nearly impossible to do in a blade grinder, especially if you are trying to do a coarser ground. This is why burr grinders are wholeheartedly recommended for anyone doing French press, pour-overs, or brewing any type of coffee.

Secret: Do NOT ever buy a blade grinder unless you are using it for spices!

Burr grinders tend to be a little pricier than a blade grinder, but they are worth it and last forever. The most cost-effective would be a hand grinder that runs about $20, and automatic burr grinders can be upwards of $800 if you plan on running a coffee shop. There are plenty of options in between, and we included them down below for you in the “resources” section.

FILTER IT

There is no right or wrong way to filter your cold brew. The only way is your way, which will develop over time and through trial and error.

You can filter your coffee through a French press if that is how you brewed it or go crazy like me and end up double or triple filtering in search of the perfectly smooth science experiment cold brew.

Most people I know filter their cold brew through cheesecloth or a paper coffee filter. I have developed a hassle-free two-step process that works perfectly for our needs. Once our brew is complete, we like to first filter our coffee through a metal coffee filter. Once that is complete, we filter our coffee through a natural paper filter at least once and sometimes twice to ensure the smoothest brew.

The links to the metal coffee filter we use and the paper filters are included in the “resources” section below.

STORAGE WARS

Storage is everything when it comes to coffee beans and cold brew.

Never store your beans in the fridge or freezer!

These methods create moisture in the beans, thus causing mold, and no one wants moldy coffee. Not only that, but it causes cracking and all-around coffee destruction. Don’t do it.

You should always store your beans in a cool, dry place, such as your pantry. They should be in a container that is tinted or opaque since light will also compromise the taste of the beans.

They make specifically designed containers for coffee beans that contain a one-way valve to let out CO2 without allowing oxygen in.

When it comes to storing your cold brew in the refrigerator, we recommend storing in a mason jar or growler, preferably dark in color. Cold brew can be stored in the fridge for up to 2 weeks.

TOOLS OF THE TRADE

We hear it all the time - I want to make cold brew, but I don’t have the tools. Contrary to what most people believe, making cold brew is easier than brewing a hot cup of coffee.

As much as I love fancy kitchen toys, you don’t need them unless you want
them.

Want to know what you need to make the cold brew? A container and a way
to filter it. That is all!

You could use a mason jar, blender jar, French press, or even a large pot if you wanted. The key here is ensuring it can fit in your refrigerator.

There are many ways to make cold brew depending on your budget. The following is a list of our favorite tools when it comes to making cold brew.

• Mason Jars http://amzn.to/2aPPU0A
• Toddy http://amzn.to/2aiXPRw
• French Press http://amzn.to/2afBBol
• Hario Filter in Coffee Bottle http://amzn.to/2aiWyKi
• Bruer Slow Drip Cold Brew http://amzn.to/2axldvb
• Filtron http://amzn.to/2axlsqe
• Hario Mizudashi Cold Brew Coffee Pot http://amzn.to/2aiXu1o
• Takeya Cold Brew Coffee Maker http://amzn.to/2aPRuQ3
• Primula Coffee Maker http://amzn.to/2afCtJB

If you want your cold brew process to become a conversation starter or art piece in your home, we recommend using this brewer - http://amzn.to/2dgKnlI

THE BASIC AT-HOME COLD BREW METHOD

Making cold brew is actually one of the simplest ways to make and enjoy your coffee. You never have to worry about the right water temperature, burnt coffee taste, or even running out of coffee since you can brew as much as you like and store it for weeks.

There are many ways to brew cold brew, and there is no right way - it’s just a personal preference. We actually prefer the simplest approach, which is just using large mason jars since they are inexpensive and readily available. Most importantly, they are glass, so we aren’t absorbing plastics.

We have created every cold brew infusion recipe in this book using the same ratio. You can adjust the amount of cold brew you make by halving or double the basic recipe to your
needs.

You will need 5 ounces of coffee, ground to a medium-coarse grind, and 48 ounces of filtered water either cold or room temperature. The basics of brewing time that we recommend are:

• Brew for 24-36 hours while brewing in the refrigerator
• Brew for 12-24 hours while brewing at room temperature

The cool temperature of the refrigerator slows down the brewing and extraction process of the cold brew. This makes the cold brew smooth and less strong than room temperature brewing.

We have found that when we brew at room temperature, we always have to dilute it with milk, cream or water to enjoy, which allows it to last longer. I prefer mine black, so I brew in the refrigerator, but it’s a personal preference. Both methods are delicious.

Once you are done brewing your coffee, you need to strain it. We prefer to double filter once through a metal coffee filter and then again through a paper filter to ensure it’s as smooth
as possible.

Once brewed, you can store your cold brew in the refrigerator for up to 2 weeks and then easily take a bottle of brew with you in a High Speed Daddy backpack.

Good Coffee Made Easy (and Cold)

By now, you’re probably craving your next cup of coffee, which begs the question, how should you make your coffee?

Here’s my suggestion as a busy dad: Go cold. Drink cold brew coffee. That’s my choice and recommendation because I’m busy and appreciate things that are easy.

With cold brew, I can make two weeks worth of coffee at once, and it stays fresh and delicious in the refrigerator for easy, quick, and delicious access.

But if you need a better reason than simplicity, the flavor of cold brew coffee is smoother and more prominent. Furthermore, high-temperature brewing, if done incorrectly, can lead to undesirable flavors.

A roasted bean contains compounds such as oils and fatty acids, which are only soluble at high temperatures. When coffee is cold brewed, the beans are never exposed to high temperatures, leaving behind a very balanced, less acidic, smooth cup of coffee.

Those with acid reflux and related issues seem to have great success drinking cold brew coffee.

You still get all the benefits of your hot cup of coffee without the side effects since the pH is more balanced.

I know what you are thinking - if I have to drink cold brew, I can never have my hot coffee again. Wrong. You can still have that steaming hot cup of coffee in the morning by simply heating up your cold brew!

What is Cold Brew?

Don’t confuse cold brew coffee with iced coffee. Iced coffee is typically just regular brewed cooled and poured over ice.

Cold brew coffee, also called cold water extract, is the process in which coffee is ground and soaked in filtered room temperature or cold water. The brewing process can be for a minimum of 12 hours and up to 36 hours to make cold brew concentrate.

After brewing, the coffee is then filtered after the coffee has “steeped.” First, filter it through a metal coffee filter and then through a paper filter. Because the beans never come in contact with heat, it produces a much different chemical profile than a cup of coffee brewed with other methods.

The lower temperature allows many of the components that are broken down in a heated brew not to be dissolved completely, giving you a smoother, sometimes more delicious, cup of coffee.

Cold brew can be served as is, diluted with milk or water, served hot or over ice, or blended with other ingredients.

FIVE EASY AT-HOME COLD BREW RECIPES THAT EVEN YOUR KIDS COULD MAKE

Ginger Chocolate Coffee

Ingredients

• 2 teaspoons fresh ginger, diced, not peeled
• ¼ cup cacao nibs

Steps

1. Grind your 5 ounces of coffee beans in a burr grinder to medium-coarse grind.
2. Add your fresh ground coffee to your vessel of choice (mason jar, toddy, French press).
3. Add in your ginger and cacao nibs.
4. Fully saturate with 48 ounces of cold or room temperature filtered water.
5. Let your coffee sit for a minimum of 24 hours (room temperature) or a maximum of 36 hours (in a refrigerator).
6. After your coffee is finished brewing, filter your coffee using the method of your choice. We recommend double filtering for maximum smoothness.

Peppered Coffee

Ingredients

• 2 tablespoons crushed peppercorns

Steps

1. Grind your 5 ounces of coffee beans in a burr grinder to medium-coarse grind.
2. Add your fresh ground coffee to your vessel of choice (mason jar, toddy, French press).
3. Add in your crushed peppercorns.
4. Fully saturate with 48 ounces of cold or room temperature filtered water.
5. Let your coffee sit for a minimum of 24 hours (room temperature) or a maximum of 36 hours (in a refrigerator).
6. After your coffee is finished brewing, filter your coffee using the method of your choice. We recommend double filtering for maximum smoothness.

Vanilla Bourbon Mexican Hot Chocolate Coffee

Ingredients

• ¼ cup cacao nibs
• ¼ cup coconut sugar
• 2 teaspoons cinnamon
• 4 teaspoons chili powder
• 1 tablespoon vanilla extract
• 1 tablespoon almond extract
• 2 ounces of bourbon or 4 teaspoons bourbon extract

Steps

1. Grind your 5 ounces of coffee beans in a burr grinder to medium-coarse grind.
2. Add your fresh ground coffee to your vessel of choice (mason jar, toddy, French press).
3. Take 6 ounces of water and heat it up until it is hot to touch. Add the coconut sugar, cinnamon, vanilla extract, and bourbon.
4. Add the water with dissolved ingredients to your ground coffee and then add your cacao nibs, vanilla extract, almond extract, and bourbon.
5. Fully saturate your coffee with the remaining 42 ounces of cold or room temperature filtered water.
6. Let your coffee sit for a minimum of 24 hours (room temperature) or a maximum of 36 hours (in a refrigerator).
7. After your coffee is finished brewing, filter your coffee using the method of your choice. We recommend double filtering for maximum smoothness.

Pumpkin Pie Coffee

Ingredients

• 1 cinnamon stick
• 1 tablespoon fresh cloves
• 1 vanilla bean (sliced down the middle)
• 2 tablespoons maple sugar
• 2 tablespoons pumpkin puree
• 1 tablespoon fresh ginger, diced, not peeled

Steps

1. Grind your 5 ounces of coffee beans in a burr grinder to medium-coarse grind.
2. Add your fresh ground coffee to your vessel of choice (mason jar, toddy, French press).
3. Take 6 ounces of water and heat up until it is hot to touch. Add the maple sugar to the hot water and stir until fully dissolved.
4. Add the water with dissolved ingredients to your ground coffee and then add your cinnamon stick, cloves, vanilla bean, pumpkin, and ginger.
5. Fully saturate your coffee with the remaining 42 ounces of cold or room temperature filtered water.
6. Let your coffee sit for a minimum of 24 hours (room temperature) or a maximum of 36 hours (in a refrigerator).
7. After your coffee is finished brewing, filter your coffee using the method of your choice. We recommend double filtering for maximum smoothness.

Candied Bacon Coffee

Ingredients

• 8 pieces of candied bacon (see recipe below)
• 1 cup maple syrup

Steps

1. Grind your 5 ounces of coffee beans in a burr grinder to medium-coarse grind.
2. Add your fresh ground coffee to your vessel of choice (mason jar, toddy, French press).
3. Take 6 ounces of water and heat up until it is hot to touch. Add the maple sugar to the hot water and stir until fully dissolved.
4. Add the water with dissolved ingredients to your ground coffee and then add your candied bacon.
5. Fully saturate your coffee with the remaining 42 ounces of cold or room temperature filtered water.
6. Let your coffee sit for a minimum of 24 hours (room temperature) or a maximum of 36 hours (in a refrigerator).
7. After your coffee is finished brewing, filter your coffee using the method of your choice. We recommend double filtering for maximum smoothness.

Candied Bacon Recipe

Ingredients

• 2 tablespoons coconut sugar
• ¼ cup pure maple sugar
• 9 slices of bacon

Steps

• Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F. Line a rimmed baking sheet with foil or parchment.
• In a small bowl, mix the coconut sugar and maple syrup.
• Lay the bacon flat on the prepared baking sheet. Use a pastry brush to brush the syrup mixture on top of the bacon.
• Bake 30 to 35 minutes, or until bacon is golden brown and slightly crispy.
• Allow the bacon to cool on the baking sheet for 5 minutes before transferring to a serving plate to cool completely.

Vanilla Cinnamon

Ingredients

• 1 cinnamon stick
• 2 tablespoons vanilla extract
• Coffee Beans

Steps

1. Grind your 5 ounces of coffee beans in a burr grinder to medium-coarse grind.
2. Add your fresh ground coffee to your vessel of choice (mason jar, toddy, French press).
3. Add in your cinnamon stick and vanilla extract.
4. Fully saturate your coffee with 48 ounces of cold or room temperature filtered water.
5. Let your coffee sit for a minimum of 24 hours or a maximum of 36 hours. (We recommend brewing in the refrigerator for up to 36 hours or room temperature for up to 24 hours)
6. After your coffee is finished brewing, filter your coffee using the method of your choice. We recommend double filtering for maximum smoothness.

JOIN A GROUP OF HIGH SPEED DADDIES, JUST LIKE YOU!

Challenge yourself and join a brotherhood just for you...a group of husbands, fathers, and men who provide, protect and connect with their families. You will always be welcome and it will always be free. You can find the group here: “High Speed Daddy: Provide, Protect, Connect.”