If you love cold brew coffee, you must, by now, know that it is not the same as iced coffee. Some people think cold brew and iced coffee refer to the same drink, but that is not true. Both are unique brews, and each is prepared uniquely.
In this article, we will cover how to bottle it. So, get ready to learn more.
The brewing process
It is very easy to brew cold brew coffee. You need to steep coarse grounds in cold water for 12 to 24 hours, depending on how strong you want your java to be. This immersion process allows you to create a strong, low-acid coffee concentrate that cannot be achieved using hot brew methods. Note that steeping has to happen at room temperature.
After 12 to 24 hours have elapsed, sieve and collect the coffee concentrate. Use the right strainer or sieve to prevent used grounds from spoiling the fun. If refrigerated, this concentrate can last around 10 to 14 days. However, if you mix it with cream or milk, it must be consumed within 3 days.
You can use the concentrate to make cold brew coffee. This requires you to mix it with water, milk, or a combination of both. The concentrate to water ratio is normally 1:1 for a strong coffee or 1:2 for more mellow coffee.
To make your coffee more unique and personalized to your taste, you can also add milk substitutes, sugar, coffee creamers, cream, and syrups. The concentrate can also be used to make a delicious glass of iced coffee, or you can add hot water and make a cup of low acid, rich coffee.
Adding it to baking and cooking for a coffee kick is also ok. You can as well bottle it to share with friends, sell, or take to work.
How to bottle cold brew coffee
There are many reasons why people bottle cold brew. Most do this when planning to take it on picnics, work, sell, or share with friends and family. But, no matter the reason for bottling, you first need to buy the right coffee bottles and caps.
It is also vital to consider how you will use your bottle afterward. If you plan to re-use them, then get recyclable bottles. If sharing your brew or selling it, consider how most people favor drinking cold brew with a straw. In a nutshell, buy coffee bottles that will address your bottling needs well.
Cold-brew in glass bottles
- Healthier to use for all types of beverages
- It doesn’t affect the taste of your brew
- Breakable and more expensive than plastic
- Perfect for keeping cold drinks inside the fridge
- Free from chemicals such as BPA, phthalate, and polycarbonate that can lead to leaching
Cold-brew in plastic bottles
- More CO2-permeable than glass (impacts freshness)
- Cheaper than glass bottles
- Most plastic bottles can affect the taste of your brew because of the acetaldehyde lining.
- They don’t break
- They are made of various chemicals that can greatly increase the possibility of leaching.
How long is bottled cold brew good for?
Bottled cold brew coffee can stay fresh for a couple of weeks, and you will enjoy it more if you consume it within the first week. Without daily, it lasts up to 14 days and should be consumed within 3 days if mixed with milk or cream.
To keep it fresh to the last drop, it is crucial to size down the container as you continue to drink. This helps reduce the bottle’s air which may oxidize coffee and leech the flavor.
Conclusion
Bottling your cold brew well is crucial to keeping it fresh until you decide to sip to the last drop. You can bottle your brew in either glass or plastic bottles. We prefer using glass bottles as they are more effective (don’t affect the taste and keep the brew colder for long) and are more environmentally friendly than plastic ones.
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Disclosure: No compensation or free products were received in exchange for writing this review.
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