Bored with your hot coffee life and want to try something cool? Well, there’s good news for you. In the world of coffee, you get a countless number of different ways of brewing. Each method will give you a different flavor, texture, and aroma. Among them, hot and cold brew are the commonly discussed topics because of the significant difference between the two.
Cold brew coffee is a chilled alternative to your regular cup of coffee. Knowing the difference between hot and cold brew will help you to choose the best that matches your preferences. This article will also help you with some informative tips on how to brew perfectly using each of the methods for optimum results.
What Makes Cold Brew Different from Hot Brew?
If you are looking for a twist in your daily coffee lifestyle, it is important that you keep in mind some of the major differences between hot and cold brew coffee.
The brewing process
One of the most important factors that make the difference between the two is the brewing process and the temperature of the water at which you brew coffee. Cold brew coffee is made by steeping coarsely ground coffee in the water at room temperature for 12 to 24 hours. On the other hand, in the hot brew method, all you have to do is to throw the coffee grounds into your coffee maker and allow hot water to pour over the grounds. Unlike cold brew, here there’s no need to steep the coffee grounds for a lengthy time period. So this can be done in less than 10 minutes.
The extraction method
Extraction in coffee happens when water dissolves and draws things out of coffee grounds, including caffeine, acids, oils, and sugars. So while hot brew relies on the temperature of water to pull out the caffeine and flavor from coffee beans, cold brew coffee relies on the time of steeping.
The Coffee to Water Ratio
Hot brew gives a stronger coffee when compared to cold brew. If you over brew coffee with hot water, it might even give you a bitter taste. This is because hot water can break coffee compounds at a higher rate than that with cold brew. So, in order to achieve the same level of coffee concentration with cold brew, it is required to add less amount of water than that of hot brew. It is generally recommended to use coffees with hints of chocolate, fruits, and nut flavors when using cold brew to obtain a more delicate cup of coffee.
The Level of Acidity
When it comes to hot brew, the hot temperature of the water will ensure optimum extraction. However, in a cold brew, it takes a long time to extract coffee because of the cold temperature of the water. Because of that, the resultant coffee from the cold brew is often less acidic than that of hot brew coffee. Due to the same reason, cold brew coffee has a more shelf life than hot brew coffee. By refrigerating, cold brew coffee can be preserved for around a week without a significant loss of flavor and aroma.
The Flavor
With the differences in the brewing process and the level of acidity between hot and cold brew, there can be dramatic differences in the flavor. Hit brew coffee generally gives you a strong, bold flavor, with crisp acidity and a touch of sweetness. With hot brew coffee, you will also sense hints of low bitter notes. On the other hand, cold brew coffee tastes less acidic with virtually no bitterness. It will give you a smooth flavor with a rich sweetness.
The Fragrance
Unlike hot brew, cold brew coffee will often not give you a strong aroma right after it is made. The reason is that aromatic oils in coffee beans are better extracted at hot temperatures. But, when the coffee is hot, those oils can easily get evaporated. So, the rich aroma that hot brew coffee gives you might not last long.
On the other hand, even if you will get a rather mild aroma soon after cold brew coffee is made, the oils here are less volatile. Throughout the process of cold brewing, the extracted oils will remain cold. So the fragrance will not fly away soon.
Hot Brew versus Cold Brew: Which is the better?
It can be seen that cold brew coffee has gained popularity in recent years. This is because research has discovered that cold brew coffee also gives you almost the same health benefits that you get from a hot brew coffee. The caffeine contained in coffee helps to boost your metabolism. It can also help lift your mood and keep you energized throughout the day.
But, unlike a regular cup of hot coffee, cold brew coffee is less acidic, making it easily tolerable by sensitive individuals. A common reason that people avoid coffee is due to the stomach issues they encounter like a burning sensation in the stomach and digestive problems. So, if you are a coffee lover who is suffering from the same issues, worry not, cold brew coffee can cheer you up.
Having said so, there are no empirically proven distinctive benefits of hot brew and cold brew coffee. They are both a definite must try to relish their unique savors.
Tips for Optimum Results in Hot Brew and Cold Brew
While there can be notable differences in the flavor, fragrance, saturation, and acidity of hot brew and cold brew coffee, the key to obtaining a high-quality drink is the freshness of the coffee beans. So, if you are after a perfect tasting cup, use only freshly roasted coffee beans from reliable brands.
The hot brew is the most predominantly used coffee brewing method worldwide. It is a common misconception that cold brewing is a method used in cafes. But, that doesn’t mean the cold brew method is less practical to try at home. There are so many home coffee makers out there that are made solely for the purpose of cold brew.
If you want to mix up your coffee routine and add variety to your life with both hot and cold brew coffee, well you can probably get a dual purpose coffee maker. Which ever brew it is, each of them will give you a unique bliss of a coffee experience that is worthy to try at home.
