
BBCR’S AFFORDABLY YUMMY COLD BREW COFFEE
There’s no denying how refreshing an iced coffee can be when the weather warms up. But buying a cup of cold brew from the local coffee shop every day adds up, which is why Big Bend Coffee Roasters has come up with a special roast intended for cold brewing âThe Toddy Blend!
But first, what’s the difference between iced coffee and cold brew? Cold-brewed coffee (or just cold brew) is like iced coffeeâs cooler sibling. Theyâre made of the same stuff, but oneâs a little more âinââand oneâs well-known and loved, but a bit passĂŠ. Dare we say it: Cold brew is the summer beverageâcaffeinated and cold, two adjectives you and your money can get behind.
The main difference between cold brew and iced coffee involves temperature and how you make it. That is, cold brew is brewed cold and never heated, while iced coffee is normal coffee that’s brewed hot and then cooled down.
Our Toddy Blend: specially blended for cold brew and iced coffee, cold brewing allows the sweet taste to emerge and eliminates most of the acid that occurs in normal brewing. Here are a few things that transformed cold brew from alternative iced coffee to ubiquitous coffee shop darling (and why weâre all about it):
- Lower acidity level: The grounds arenât subjected to the intense heat of boiling water, making the chemical profile of the final brew different than that of conventionally brewed or drip coffee. Lower acidity creates a smoother cup thatâs mellower on the stomach. Similarly, rapidly cooling hot coffee yields a slightly bitter taste. Cold brewâs lower acidity means it naturally tastes sweeter.
- Watery problems, no more: Ever poured hot coffee over ice? Then youâre familiar with diluted coffee. And watery coffee is sad. Cold brew puts the dilution in your hands. Since itâs already cold or at room temperature, the addition of ice or added water is entirely optional.
- A more caffeinated cup: While caffeine is more soluble and extracts more easily at higher temperatures, cold brewâs high bean-to-water ratio and longer brew time give it more buzz. Add milk or cream to temper intensity, if you like.
Cold Brew Coffee doesn’t have to be expensive! Unlike other Roasters, our small batch, organic, apple K Kosher Coffee is at the same price point as our other Roasts. Make cold brew at homeâin 3 easy steps with BBCR’s Toddy Blend. It can be done in any sort of large container, French press, or even a Mason jar (thereâs also specific cold-brewing contraptions, if this is going to be your new morning drink). Really, if it holds coffee and water, you can cold brew in it. Weâre focusing on the container and French press methods because those are the contraptions we (and likely you) use most and will readily have around. Hereâs why cold-brewing might just be the easiest coffee method out there:
Grind
The ratio of coffee grounds to water is subjective and depends on personal taste. A good place to start is to grind 3/4 cup beans for 4 cups of cold waterâthe size of a 32-ounce French press. You can doubleâwith 1.5 cups beans for 8 cups waterâor even triple the quantities depending on the size of your container. Next, grind the beans very coarsely. We mean it. A smaller grind will result in cloudy coffee.

Soak And Wait (And Wait, And WaitâŚ)
Put the coffee in your container, which can be plastic, glass, or ceramic and doesnât need to have a lid. The container should be deep enough to hold the coffee and water and light enough you can pick the whole thing up to strain. For a French press, pour the coffee into the bottom of the canister. For both a container or a French press, gradually add the water. Stir gently, making sure all the coffee grounds are moistened.

This Magical Coffee Will Make You Feel Like A Wizard
If using a large container, cover the top with cheesecloth. For a French press, place the top on (but donât press down on the plunger). Let stand at room temperature for at least 12 hours. Donât rush this. The long steep time is important for proper extraction.

Press
If youâre using a container, take the cheesecloth from the top of the container and use it to line a fine mesh sieve set over a large pitcher (or bowl or whatever else youâd like to store your cold brew in). Pour the coffee through the sieve, waiting a minute or two until the coffeeâs filtered out, and discard solids and cheesecloth.
For the French press, simply press down on the plunger to move grounds to the bottom. Pour.
Thatâs it! You have cold brew. The concentrate will keep for up to 2 weeks covered and chilled in the fridge. Add ice, milk, or your other favorite coffee things and enjoy.