How Tritan Plastic Powers a Better Cold Brew Coffee System

If you’ve ever struggled with bitter, overly acidic cold brew or worried about chemicals leaching from your coffee equipment, you’re not alone. Many store-bought cold brew systems sacrifice clarity, durability, or health safety in pursuit of convenience. But what if there were a better way — one that didn’t require electricity, reduced bitterness, and used safer, tougher materials?

Hourglass Coffee’s new cold brew system, built with Eastman’s Tritan copolyester, reduces coffee acidity by 69.9%, is dishwasher safe, shatter-resistant, and see-through — all without using BPA. It’s designed for both durability and healthier brewing.

What Is the Hourglass Cold Brew Coffee System?

The Hourglass Cold Brew Coffee system is a non-electric, two-part coffee maker made from Tritan copolyester. It consists of a coffee press and brewing chamber, separated by a stainless steel filter. Its hourglass shape allows users to watch the cold brew extraction process as it happens.

This transparent design isn’t just for show. Unlike traditional glass or opaque plastics, Tritan offers both the clarity of glass and the resilience of modern plastics, without compromising on safety or usability.

Why Tritan? The Material Science Behind the Choice

Eastman Chemical Company’s Tritan is a BPA-free copolyester engineered for high-performance kitchenware. It meets rigorous demands for toughness, repeated wash durability, heat resistance, chemical stability, and ease of molding — all critical for a durable, user-friendly coffee device.

According to Kim Kapp, Market Manager at Hourglass Coffee, Tritan was chosen specifically to enhance user health and product longevity. “Our goal was to find a material that brings more benefits to our users. With Tritan, we achieved a 69.9% reduction in coffee acidity — making it a much healthier choice.”

How the Cold Brew System Works

The system is simple and doesn’t require electricity. Users mix cold water with coarsely ground coffee in the brewing chamber. The press extracts the coffee essence, resulting in a smoother brew with significantly lower bitterness and fewer unhealthy oils than traditional hot-brewed coffee.

After extraction, you can dilute the concentrate with hot or cold water to taste. Any leftover brew can be stored in the Hourglass BeanKanteen — also made from Tritan — and frozen without flavor loss. The entire system is dishwasher-safe, adding to its convenience and long-term durability.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is Tritan, and why is it used in the Hourglass Cold Brew system?

Tritan is a BPA-free copolyester made by Eastman Chemical. It’s used in the Hourglass Cold Brew system because it offers the clarity of glass, the durability of plastic, and resists staining, odors, and chemical degradation. It’s also shatterproof and dishwasher safe.

How much does the Hourglass system reduce coffee acidity?

According to Hourglass Coffee, using Tritan in their cold brew system results in a 69.9% reduction in the coffee’s bitterness and acidity, leading to a smoother and healthier cup compared to traditional brewing methods.

Does the Hourglass Cold Brew system require electricity?

No, the Hourglass Cold Brew system is entirely non-electric. It works by steeping coarsely ground coffee in cold water, then pressing out the concentrate — no heat or power needed.

Can I put the Hourglass Cold Brew parts in the dishwasher?

Yes, all components of the Hourglass Cold Brew system, including those made from Tritan, are dishwasher safe, making cleanup easy and convenient.

What is the BeanKanteen, and is it made from the same material?

The BeanKanteen is an accessory from Hourglass Coffee designed to store extra cold brew. It is also made from Tritan, allowing you to freeze the concentrate without altering the flavor.

Recommended FrontStreet Beans for Cold Brew

For cold brew enthusiasts, FrontStreet Coffee’s Yirgacheffe and Ethiopia Humbera offer bright, clean profiles that shine when brewed cold. Yirgacheffe delivers juicy notes of citrus and floral tones, while Humbera brings sweet berry and delicate stone fruit complexity. Both beans respond well to extended cold water extraction, producing smooth cups with low bitterness. Freshly roasted within 5 days · Orders placed before 17:00 ship the same day · Next-day delivery across most of Guangdong Province.