COLD BREW VS HOT BREW COFFEE: EXPLORING THE KEY DIFFERENCES

Cold brew coffee is certainly trendy these days, but is it better than regular hot coffee?

The difference between hot and cold brew coffee is as simple as the brewing temperature. Yet this small distinction produces two very different drinks. Even when brewed with the same coffee beans, cold and hot brew coffees have unique flavor profiles and chemical compositions. 

Personally, I’m an equal-opportunity coffee lover. I enjoy it in all its forms – hot, cold, and iced. But if you’re unsure where you stand in the hot vs cold coffee debate, I hope this article sheds some light. 

Cold Brew Vs Hot Coffee: What’s The Difference?

The main difference between cold brew and regular coffee is the brewing process. Cold brew coffee is brewed with cold or room-temperature water, while regular coffee is made with 200 ℉ water. This necessitates a much longer brew time for cold brew, to ensure the grounds are fully extracted.

There are two methods for making cold brew, immersion or slow drip. In the immersion method, coarsely ground coffee is steeped in cool water for up to 24 hours before being strained out. It can be prepared in something as basic as a mason jar. Slow-drip cold brew is made by slowly dripping cold water on medium-ground coffee, often for a shorter time – 4 to 12 hours. It requires specialized equipment to control the drip rate.

Cold brew is usually prepared as a batch of cold brew concentrate, which is diluted with water, milk, and/or ice before drinking. In contrast, hot coffee is typically brewed at the correct concentration for serving.

They have different chemical make-ups, resulting in different flavor profiles, caffeine content, and health benefits. That’s what I’ll be exploring in the rest of this article.

Which Is Better, Cold Brew Or Hot Brew Coffee?

I get this question a lot, usually regarding the flavor of the two drinks. Of course, there’s no real answer; it’s a matter of personal taste.

Assuming you’re brewing with the same beans, immersion cold brew often has a smoother flavor profile with an emphasis on sweetness. It has less bitter and acidic flavors – cold brew benefits that many people enjoy – but the trade-off is less complexity and excitement. Cold-brewed coffee is milder, particularly the aroma.

The taste of hot brew coffee varies to some extent with the brewing method. French press coffee has a full-bodied flavor with a rich mouthfeel. Pour-over produces a clean cup that accentuates delicate flavors. And coffee made with a drip coffee machine often has a rounded flavor profile.

Slow-drip cold brew splits the difference. It is brighter and more complex than immersion cold brew but still lacks the pronounced aroma and more subtle high notes of hot brewed coffee.

Does Cold Brew Have More Caffeine Than Hot Coffee?

The caffeine content of both hot and cold coffee depends on the recipe used and the coffee bean type. Assuming the same bean variety, roast level, and coffee-to-water ratio, cold and hot coffee have approximately the same caffeine content. 

It is a common misconception that hot coffee has less caffeine than cold brew. This is likely because it is so much easier to drink a lot of cold brew quickly, leading to a nasty case of caffeine jitters! Or it may be because people confuse cold brew and cold brew concentrate, the latter of which is highly caffeinated and should be diluted.

Is Cold Brew Healthier Than Hot Brew?

Cold and hot coffee have very similar health benefits, and I wouldn’t recommend choosing one over the other in the interest of your longevity. Research has found that hot coffee has slightly higher antioxidant concentrations than cold brew, but the difference is marginal. 

Regular coffee consumption – either hot or cold – has been shown to reduce the incidence of cardiovascular disease, type 2 diabetes, Alzheimer’s, and Parkinson’s. Coffee drinkers also have a longer life expectancy (1).

Ultimately, both hot and cold coffee are complicated chemical systems with over 1000 compounds, and science has yet to fully unravel how they all interact with each other and our bodies.

Is Hot Coffee More Acidic Than Cold Brew?

It is a common myth that cold-brewed coffee has lower acidity than hot coffee. This often leads to it being favored by those suffering from gastrointestinal disorders like acid reflux and heartburn. In fact, research has shown the pH values (the scientific measurement of acidity) of the two types of coffee are the same (2).

It is important not to confuse acidity, the objective measurement, with acidity, the flavor. Cold brew tastes less acidic because cold water doesn’t extract the same acids as hot water. The brewing method tends to mute brighter and more sour flavor notes. It is surmised that the link between coffee and stomach distress is more likely a result of its caffeine content than its acidity (3).

Final Thoughts

The difference between cold brew and hot brewed coffee is simply different brew water temperature – cold for the former, hot for the latter. But that minor change leads to dramatic downstream effects. 

Compared to coffee brewed hot, cold brew is smoother, with less bitterness and less acidity. Regular hot coffee is far more aromatic and delivers greater complexity. Both can be a rich and delicious way to kick off your morning or reboot your afternoon.