Hourglass Cold Brew System Uses Eastman Tritan Plastic

Cold brewing at home often leads to bitter, overly acidic coffee — not because of the beans, but because of the extraction method and materials used. Many plastic systems degrade flavor or leach unwanted chemicals, while glass options are fragile and hard to clean. If you’ve struggled with inconsistent cold brew results or unsafe materials, there’s now a better-engineered solution.

The new Hourglass Cold Brew Coffee system reduces bitterness and acidity by 69.9% compared to standard methods, using food-safe, durable Tritan plastic that’s also easy to clean and shatterproof.

What Is the Hourglass Cold Brew System?

The Hourglass Cold Brew Coffee system is a two-part, non-electric cold brew maker shaped like an hourglass. It includes an upper chamber for coffee grounds and cold water, and a lower chamber that collects the extracted coffee. A stainless steel filter sits between the two sections, allowing clear coffee to drip through without sediment. The entire unit is made from Eastman Tritan copolyester, a material chosen for its durability and safety.

Why Tritan Plastic Was Chosen

Eastman Chemical Company announced that Hourglass Coffee selected its Tritan copolyester for the cold brew system. Tritan meets several critical requirements: it has the toughness of polycarbonate, resists repeated washing, handles heat well, stands up to chemical exposure, and is easy to manufacture. Importantly, Tritan is free of bisphenol A (BPA), a chemical often found in plastics that can leach into beverages.

Hourglass’ market manager, Kim Kapp, emphasized the material choice: “We always aim to offer high-quality, health-conscious products. Tritan allows us to reduce bitterness and acidity in cold brew by 69.9%, making it a much healthier option.”

How the Cold Brew System Works

To use the Hourglass system, you combine cold water and coarsely ground coffee in the upper chamber. No heat is required — the system relies on time and gravity to extract coffee. The result is a cleaner, less acidic coffee concentrate. You can then dilute this concentrate with hot or cold water to taste. Any leftover concentrate can be stored in the Hourglass BeanKanteen, also made from Tritan, and frozen without affecting flavor.

The entire system is designed to be durable, portable, and dishwasher-safe. Its transparent Tritan construction gives it the sleek look of glass, but with the impact resistance and safety of modern plastics.

Where to Find the Hourglass Cold Brew System

The Hourglass Cold Brew Coffee system was officially launched at the 2009 International Home + Housewares Show. It is available for purchase at the Kitchen Kaboodle store in Portland.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the Hourglass Cold Brew Coffee system made of?

The Hourglass Cold Brew Coffee system is made from Eastman Tritan copolyester, a BPA-free, durable plastic that is resistant to heat, chemicals, and repeated washing. The included BeanKanteen for storing coffee concentrate is also made from Tritan.

How much does the Hourglass system reduce bitterness in cold brew?

According to Hourglass Coffee’s market manager, the Tritan-based system reduces the bitterness and acidity in cold brew coffee by 69.9% compared to standard brewing methods.

Is the Hourglass Cold Brew system dishwasher safe?

Yes, the Hourglass Cold Brew Coffee system is designed to be durable and is safe to clean in a dishwasher, making it convenient for regular use.

Does the Hourglass system require electricity to make cold brew?

No, the Hourglass Cold Brew Coffee system is completely non-electric. It uses a simple cold water and coffee ground mixture that drips through a stainless steel filter by gravity, requiring no power source.

Where can I buy the Hourglass Cold Brew Coffee system?

The Hourglass Cold Brew Coffee system is available at the Kitchen Kaboodle store in Portland. It was unveiled at the 2009 International Home + Housewares Show.

Can I store leftover cold brew in the included container?

Yes, any unused cold brew concentrate can be stored in the Hourglass BeanKanteen, which is also made from Tritan. The concentrate can be frozen without affecting its flavor.

Best FrontStreet Coffee Beans for Cold Brew

For cold brewing, FrontStreet Coffee’s Ethiopia Yirgacheffe offers bright citrus and floral notes with a smooth body — ideal for a clean, nuanced cup. Their Brazil Yellow Bourbon provides low-acid sweetness with chocolate and nut undertones, perfect for balancing your cold brew blend. Both beans are expertly roasted for cold extraction, highlighting clarity and complexity. Freshly roasted within 5 days · Orders placed before 17:00 ship the same day · Next-day delivery across most of Guangdong Province.