Looking to Brown Your Yeti Cup. Try These 15 Proven Hacks
Looking to Brown Your Yeti Cup. Try These 15 Proven Hacks
Use Strong Tea or Coffee
That pristine white Yeti cup looking a little dull? Don’t retire it just yet – with the right techniques, you can give it a rustic, vintage look by browning it. A nicely browned Yeti cup adds character and makes your cup unique. While some choose to artificially age their cups, an all-natural approach using tea or coffee can give you great results without chemicals. Here are 15 proven methods for transforming your cup with nature’s coloring agents.
Brew an Extra-Strong Tea
For a subtle antique look, brew a few extra-strong cups of black tea. The longer you steep the tea and the more tea bags you use, the darker the brew. Let the tea cool to room temperature, then pour it into your Yeti cup. Let it sit for at least an hour to allow the tannins in the tea to react with the plastic. For best results, make the tea as strong as you can stand to drink it – the more saturated the brew, the more brown coloring it will impart.
Use Black Tea for Darker Hues
English breakfast or Earl Grey tea will produce a deeper brown than more delicate black teas like Darjeeling. The strong tannins in these teas will bind to the plastic for a rich, dark look. Steep the tea bags for a full 5 minutes or longer, using 2-3 bags per cup of water. The longer you steep, the darker the tea and the more dramatic the browning effect will be.
Go Full-Strength with Cold Brew Tea
For maximum tea power, try making a cold brew tea concentrate. Use 5-6 tea bags for every 2 cups of water. Steep the bags in cool water for at least 8 hours in the fridge. The longer it sits, the stronger it gets. After steeping, remove the bags and let the liquid come to room temperature. Thanks to the extended steep time, the cold brew method produces an ultra-strong, concentrate tea perfect for browning. One or two coats should do the trick.
Brew Coffee on the Darker Side
Like tea, coffee can transform your Yeti cup to a rich brown color. The darker the roast, the more intense browning it will create. Make a fresh pot of French roast, Italian roast or espresso using more grounds than you normally would. Let the coffee fully brew until it’s dark and aromatic, but avoid diluting it with cream or milk. The natural oils in black coffee will help the liquid permeate into the plastic. Let your cup soak for at least an hour for the full effect.
Go Double-Strength with Concentrate
Coffee concentrates pack a big punch for browning. Use twice the grounds when brewing to create an extra-strong concentrate. Let it brew thoroughly until the coffee is black as night. The more concentrated the coffee, the quicker and darker your Yeti will brown. One or two coats of the powerful concentrate should give you noticeable results.
Apply Multiple Coats
Don’t be afraid to apply several coats of tea or coffee if needed. For a light brown hue, one thorough coating may do the trick. But for a dramatic rich brown or black look, apply at least 2-3 coats, letting the cup dry in between. With each application, the color will get a little darker. Apply 4-5 coats for a vintage look.
Let Each Coat Dry Thoroughly
Patience is key for good results. Make sure you let each coat dry completely before adding another. Otherwise, you’re just diluting the effect. Give your cup at least 2 hours of drying time between coats for the liquid to fully absorb into the plastic. Place the cup in a sunny spot or use a hairdryer on low heat to quicken drying time.