Ok ladies, I need your help! I've been debating for a while now between getting a Toddy Cold Brew system or just using a French Press. What are your thoughts? Right now I've just been cold brewing my coffee (for iced coffee) in a mason jar and then straining it. It's not a huge hassle but I think I'd like to get a "machine" to do it. Thanks in advance for your feedback!
***Just one note. You can cold brew coffee with nothing more than a jar and coffee. Cold brewing means you're soaking the grounds. If you've never tried it, check out this website. It makes very yummy coffee. http://www.ineedcoffee.com/06/cold-brewed/
I use my french press and then refrigerate it. (I also have a designated ice cube tray for 'coffee cubes', but that's a whole other thing.) You can't do a cold brew with the press.
I REALLY love my Toddy for cold filtered coffee. The concentrate is delicious, convenient and lasts a really long time in the fridge. It IS perfect for iced coffee. I'm not a daily coffee drinker, so it's great and convenient to grab the concentrate when I want some and makes it super easy to add it to recipes, too. BUT I couldn't live without my press. Again, not a daily coffee drinker. I use my press often for:
tea (I have a family of 5, so using it is a great way to make teas for a group)
herbal infusions
Choffy (ground cacao beans brewed like coffee. A big fave in our house. See http://www.drinkchoffy.com/inspired for details)
So I guess bottom line I love my Toddy but couldn't live without the press. I would put one or the other on your holiday wish list!
I am pretty sure you need a special machine to do cold brew, not a regular french press. The problem I have with my French Press is that it doesn't make the coffee piping hot like I like it. But in this case since it will be for iced coffee, that is not a bad thing since it will cool so quickly.
French Press.
It is cheap. You just have to buy the french press, and the coffee. But after that you don't need anything else or any other accessories for it.
It makes good coffee, no acidity.
Easy.
Easy.
Easy.
I just stick any left over coffee in the fridge. Then I always have iced coffee. Easy.
I wouldn't want a gadget just to make iced coffee.
I just use a french press, but my friend loves her Toddy! I didn't buy a Toddy because don't want one more gadget to find space for in my kitchen, but I hear they are great!
Added* I make cold press in my french press all the time. Cold brew isn't synonymous for iced or cold coffee. K&P, you are right, you can use just a jar and coffee! :)
