Sunday, May 17, 2015

iced coffee in bulk


Iced coffee is my jam. I love it all year, not just when it's warm. 

This is cold brew, so it's less acidic and stronger. This allows for further dilution with creamer and ice. I rely on Pioneer Woman's method with few changes. I make a vat at a time, but you always have the option to use one brick in a gallon pitcher. I like my coffee strong, so if this is too strong for you, dilute with more water and adjust your coffee next time. 

Option A: I get a big old restaurant type of quart storage, throw two 10 ounce bricks of Cafe La Llave or Cafe Bustelo in there, add cold water to the 10L line, stir very well, cover with saran wrap, and store in the fridge for at least eight hours. 

To process it, you set up a system of cheesecloth in a fine mesh strainer over a large vessel, and strain. Pour it off into various storage vessels and repeat until you're left with the dirty dregs of the coffee. 
Update - Option B: Instead of dumping coffee in, you can use bags found here. They are $14 for two and make it possible for me to take this show on the road and make one brick in a gallon pitcher if I choose. At home, I still start with my restaurant quart storage. Then I add one brick of Cafe Bustelo per bag, pour cold water over them, massage the water into the bags (clean hands please!) while being careful not to get water in the top or let much coffee spill out, then clip them to the side. After a minimum of eight hours I process the coffee, simply squeezing the bags to make sure I get it all. Turn the bags inside out over the trash can (or over a receptacle if you use the grounds to compost) then rinse well in the sink. Put your coffee in storage vessels (I use the gallon containers the water was in and pitchers) and you're done!
Update Option C: Basically the same as B, except these Ellie's Best nut milk bags are the vehicle. I put both bricks of coffee in one, cinch it up, and let it soak.
I've kept it in the fridge in the vessels you see in the first photo for over a month and it hasn't gone bad. It's just cold coffee at that point so there are no dregs to contend with.


16 comments:

  1. I like cold coffee all year around, too. Sometimes I make some with creamer and brewed coffee, and pour it into bottles for my husband to drink the next morning.

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  2. Id never think to have iced coffee in storage. This is genius!

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  3. Timing is everything. I just made a full French press of coffee to use for iced coffee. It's so much cheaper than buying the pre-made Starbucks jugs. I may give this a try. Any idea how long it lasts before it gets moldy or scummy on top?

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  4. I was literally one day away from asking you about this over twitter, because it was 82 today and I wanted iced coffee but didn't want to leave my house! Thank you :)

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  5. This is fantastic! The Pioneer Woman can do no wrong in my book, so I definitely need to try this one out. My husband will loooove it!

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  6. Oh man that is a large batch. I normally just make a full pot of coffee and after making a glass store the rest in a container in the fridge. This is a great idea.

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  7. I need to do this. iced coffee is the only way to go for me. especially with these temps!

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  8. I like that you make a batch of it, smart!!! I usually just throw some ice in a cup and brew my kcup over it. Your way is way fancier lol :)

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  9. Mmmmmmmmmmmmmmiced coffee awesomeness - This is really a great idea!

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  10. My issue with iced coffee is that I drink it SO fast, like someone has challenged me to a chugging contest.

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  11. I should tell Pete about this. He likes the Starbucks jugs but hasn't bought it in a while because it's kinda pricey for not very much.

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  12. Cafe Bustelo is my absolute fave.. :) My mom would drink it for as long as I could remember and would always make it for me after school. I still drink it!

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  13. Oh happy heart! And belly! And taste buds! <3

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  14. That's a good idea. I really really love iced coffee, especially the kind with 4 tons of sugar poured in it, like the Dunkin Donuts kind.
    But it makes me have to use the bathroom a lot and have a stomach ache which sucks. Really sucks. Kind of an over share there but ah well....

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  15. Since it's hot almost year round I like cold coffee most of the time and LOVE making my own. I too use the Pioneer Woman way but will be looking at getting one of those bags when I run out of my cheesecloth.

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