There are many reasons to enjoy a coffee in the morning – the first being that it gets us out of bed even on the coldest winter mornings! For some it’s a ritual, the calm before the storm if you will, before their day begins. For others it’s routine, a quick boost before, during and even after their day ends. While some may prefer a warm cuppa to go with their brekkie, others may opt for the cold version to grab on the go … but what are the actual differences when it comes to cold vs. hot brews apart from the obvious temperature difference? Below, we shall dive into this in a cold vs. hot brew coffee comparison.
1. Cold brew is a lot less bitter than hot brew
Naturally, the end product is going to be different when using cold water to brew the coffee beans in. The brewing process is quite different when it comes to hot vs. cold coffee. The acidity levels in cold brew are far lower due to the lower extraction temperature, resulting in a sweeter, less bitter coffee. This is due to the cool water used to make cold brew making the extraction process far slower, meaning that the acids in the coffee don’t become oxidised. Which, in normal person speak, means cold brew is far less tangy than your standard hot brew! Therefore, cold brew tends to be a great option for those not wanting to add any sugar or milk to their coffee as the full flavour can be savoured with less of the acidity. Hot brewing processes such as Moka pots and French Presses, however, tend to be much faster and a reason people opt for them in their own homes. Cold brews are currently mainly left to the experts to produce in order to assure that people get the perfect coffee every time. Cold brews tend to be found in supermarkets and coffee shops, ready to be grabbed and enjoyed instantly.
2. Cold brew is much easier to play around with
Cold brew is a fantastic and versatile product! Apart from it being a delicious drink at any time of the day, it can be used in cocktails (Espresso Martini anybody?), baking and even DIY beauty products (check out our blog post on how to incorporate coffee into your skincare, hair care and body care!). Our Artemis Coffee Concentrate is designed with these things in mind – so get your hands on some! We love adding it to spice up our banana bread or even mixing it with tonic water to create a refreshing mocktail with a kick.
3. The caffeine levels are not affected
There seems to be a lot of unwanted confusion about the brewing process in regard to caffeine levels – let us clarify this for you! Caffeine, a natural stimulant found in coffee, causes your brain to increase neurone firing resulting in your pituitary gland releasing adrenaline to get you all fired up. So what’s the deal with caffeine in cold vs. hot brews? Well, the caffeine levels of your coffee should not be altered in any way due to your chosen brew – be it hot or cold. What can affect the caffeine content is the type of bean chosen, the roasting (not brewing) process, and the serving size. For example, Robusta coffee beans contain the twice as much caffeine as their Arabica counterparts according to the 2016 journal European Food and Research Technology. Espresso shots contain roughly 40 milligrams of caffeine whereas a mug of drip coffee contains around 120 milligrams of caffeine. So, this means great news for those who prefer an on-the-go cold brew in the morning as your natural energy kick won’t have to be affected!
Remember to keep checking our blog for more food and coffee themed posts! Why not check out our previous post on the top 3 ways coffee can be beneficial to drink before exercising. Or head on over to our Instagram for regular updates on our products and other fun coffee-related posts.
