WHAT THIS IS AND WHAT THIS ISN’T ABOUT!
First off, let me clear the air and explain what this article is and is not about, as I like to do often here. This article is NOT on the benefits of “to coffee or not to coffee”. This article is not about bashing one company over another company or anything like that. This article is also NOT about bashing one type of coffee over another either. We just aren’t about bashing anything around here just FYI. 😉
What this article IS about is quite simply explaining the difference between iced coffee and cold brew coffee (super simple) and the best way to make it at home since so many of my readers have asked me about it!
And, while I am sharing a link here to the product, I am not affiliated with them, but would be more than happy to be as, like with most other things, we have used this specific product for about 7 years now and fully stand beside recommending it, paid or not (although I am not being paid for this). To us, this is worth sharing because it 1,000% qualifies as a Simple Solution here at The 365 Family!
WHAT’S THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN COLD COFFEES?
With all that being said, let’s dive into the difference really quickly between iced coffee and cold brew.
First off, let me be clear that about 7 years ago, I honestly didn’t even know there was a difference. I just thought all cold coffee just went by different names and ended up being cold and tasting the same. So, one day, years ago, I was in our local ice cream shop (don’t judge! ha!) and I asked the owner why does his cold coffee taste so much richer, smoother, and stronger than other cold coffees I have where I literally can’t taste anything but coffee-flavored water and it’s very weak.
He explained to me this difference.
Iced coffee is quite simply coffee that has been brewed in a traditional way ( hot brew coffee pot) and then poured over ice. It is in essence, watered-down coffee, which is why it tastes so weak and watery.
Cold brew coffee, on the other hand, is a super-powered concentrate that is made using the instructions found that comes with the super easy, no power needed, cold brew system he uses, and now we have too for 7 years with great ease and no issues! You are making a super-strong thick concentrate that you then have to mix with ice and water in order to make a drinkable, very smooth, rich, and strong lovely coffee. My husband loves it so much he actually prefers our homemade cold brew to our coffee pot that brews hot fresh coffee, as I do as well. It definitely gives you the same if not more (depending on how strong you mix it) caffeine kick as traditional hot coffee. It is quite simply, amazing!
WHY MAKE YOUR OWN COLD BREW?
The great thing about making your own cold brew is that if you can make any flavor and style you like! If you enjoy flavored coffee, buy and use the hazelnut (or whatever your preference is) flavored coffee and use that. Or if you prefer to grind your own fresh coffee beans, as we do, grind it up and use those as well.
Another great aspect of making your own cold brew is that you control the strength of it! You can let it steep for anywhere from 12-24 hours depending on the strength you like your coffee! My husband and I became such big fans, we ended up buying a 2nd system so we can make multiple batches at once.
You store the concentrate (in the carafe that you make it in) for up to 2 weeks in the fridge, although admittedly we have never had one last that long unless we were out of town. ha!
You can make any size you want for on the go! I simply grab my large RTIC cup, fill it with 1/3 ice, pour the concentrate over that and then some and then a couple of splashes of water and add a straw and a lid and I am good to go! It’s so smooth and good the only problem is it does go quickly! I keep checking to see if I grabbed the cup with the hole in the bottom!
Or if you want, you can even MIX it with your choice of milk or creamer! Completely customizable!
The best part about making your own cold brew is that you are in complete control of it…from the flavor to the intensity to saving tons of money because it’s ready for you instead of hitting the local drive-thru coffee shop!
OUR FAVORITE COLD BREW MAKING SYSTEM!
SO, with all that explaining out of the way, let me get down to it!
Here is the system we have been using for 7 years now and still have the original one we bought. We haven’t experienced any broken parts or any problems at all ever with any of them!
The only things you will eventually have to replace every so often are the filters and the plugs which you can easily buy online through many different stores!
The Toddy Cold Brew System is a proven system that is used at home for DIY cold brew makers as well as businesses in their industrial size as well!
It requires no power, no fancy gadgets, or fancy coffee. It comes with simple step by step instructions of how to make your coffee that is basically foolproof and so easy to follow I now have it memorized! As with all our simple solutions, we like things that multi-task, and this guy is no exception to that rule! You can apparently even use this guy to make homemade tea! Although I haven’t had the pleasure to try that yet but I definitely need to try that! If you have tried that let me know!
The only thing I would add that doesn’t come in the instructions with the Toddy is this: when you are done adding the layers of coffee and water and are ready for it to sit for the night, lay something on top of the opening so that it keeps dust and bugs out. I prefer to use foil as I can wrap it tightly around the edges to keep anything out that may want to get in, so it’s nice and sanitary.
When you are ready to drain it, have pulled the plug, and all the concentrate is made, think of other uses for your wet coffee grounds that are now in the container….maybe add some to your garden, use in a DIY body scrub, or composting pile? If none of those work, you can trash them but it’s just an idea. Be sure you lay the foil down on the counter and then hit the container upside down to get the grounds out because you need to save and rinse your filter for the next use.
Wash the top container and you are ready to go for next time.
Put the lid on the glass carafe, and store in the fridge for ready to mix cold brew coffee!
Do you make your own cold brew? If so, which system do you use and like? Why do you like it? Have you tried the Toddy brewing system? Did you have to get a 2nd one like we did because it’s just so darn easy and so darn good?! Comment below and let us know your favorite cold brew or cold drink!
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