Cold Brew Boom
Cold brew has become more widespread and popular due to at home brewing kits becoming more available, and the knowledge of the internet allows information to be spread worldwide. Although popularity in the United States has boomed in the last ten years, it’s hardly a new way to brew, Kyoto-style coffee, known for its origins in Kyoto, Japan, is the earliest form of cold-brew, dating back to the 1600s. It is speculated that it may have been introduced to Japan by Dutch traders. Unlike traditional cold-brew methods that submerge grounds, Kyoto-style drips water through coffee slowly, creating an elegant process that takes time and is visually appealing.
In recent years, this method has gained popularity in the U.S., where cafés previously favored simpler cold-brews like toddy. Factors driving the trend include ease of preparation, the artistic appeal of coffee-making, and the ability to highlight unique flavors in single-origin beans. Though hot coffee is often seen as the standard, cold-brew has been enjoyed for centuries, and it’s exciting to see its revival in U.S. coffee culture.
Brewing process for Hot Brew
Let’s go over how they’re both made before we compare them. Hot Brew coffee starts off with the coffee beans being ground, usually to a medium or fine consistency. Then water is heated to around 195-205°F (90-96°C), the ideal temperature to release the flavors. The hot water is then poured over or mixed with the coffee grounds. This can be done using methods like drip coffee, a French press, or a pour-over. As the hot water interacts with the coffee grounds, it pulls out caffeine, oils, and acids that give the coffee its unique taste.
Brewing process for Cold Brew
With Cold Brew, the coffee beans are ground to a coarse consistency, larger than what’s used for hot brew. Coarse grounds work best for slow extraction. The grounds are then mixed with cold or room-temperature water. The ratio of ground to water can vary, but it’s typically 1 part coffee to 4-8 parts water, depending on how strong you want it. The mixture is left to steep for 12–24 hours, usually in the fridge or at room temperature.
This slow process allows the water to gently extract the flavors from the grounds without the need for heat. Because cold brew is made without heat, the extraction process focuses on the coffee’s sweeter, more subtle flavors, creating a rich, smoother, less-acidic cup compared to hot brewed coffee.
Health benefits
Now that we know how they’re made, what are the health benefits of Cold Brew, as opposed to Hot brew? Both are known to be good for health, because coffee contains high levels of antioxidants, which have been proven to reduce the risk of cancer, heart disease, liver disease, and type 2 diabetes.
Fact: Beverages are a much larger source of antioxidants in the Western diet than food. In fact, 79% of dietary antioxidants come from beverages, while only 21% come from food. Hot Brew has higher antioxidant levels because of the extraction process, but, Cold brew is far less acidic, making it a more enjoyable experience for those with sensitive palettes, or those with stomach sensitivity, such as acid reflux.
Taste Comparison
We tried an equal amount of hot brew and cold brew with the equal amounts of crème and sugar in each, as well as both straight black.
Hot Brew Tasting Notes:
- Cream & Sugar
- Acidity is lessened due to the crème, lifts out the bite, sweetness allows the flavor to fully complete its tasting notes.
- Straight Black
- Very acidic, very harsh to the taste buds, a sharp bite, tastes incomplete.
Cold Brew Tasting Notes:
- Cream & Sugar
- Cacao flavor carried by the crème and sugar, opens up the cacao notes to a more dark chocolate note, Crème lifts the deep rich flavor to envelop more of the palette
- Straight Black
- Deep rich, almost cacao flavor, no acidity in the mouth, incomplete flavor, but more subtle than hot brew.
Honest Thoughts
When comparing cold brew to hot coffee in terms of health benefits, flavor, and overall experience, cold brew clearly offers distinct advantages. While it is true that both beverages are rich in antioxidants that provide numerous health benefits, cold brew’s low acidity makes it a gentler option for those with sensitive stomachs.
Hot brew offers versatility in its preparation, whether you’re using a French press, drip, or pour-over, it brings out the full range of coffee’s complex flavors. The heat also helps unlock the oils and acids that give coffee its signature depth and richness, which can be softened with cream and sugar or enjoyed black for a more traditional, sharp taste.
In terms of flavor, cold brew’s smoother, richer taste, especially when consumed black, highlights the natural sweetness and subtle flavors of the coffee bean without the bitterness or harshness often found in hot brews. The slow, heat-free brewing process brings out these delicate flavors, resulting in a more balanced cup, especially when enhanced with cream and sugar.
And the winner is…
The overall experience of cold brew stands out for its convenience. It’s easy to prepare at home with minimal equipment, and its refreshing quality makes it an ideal choice, especially in warmer climates. Cold brew’s recent popularity, backed by Kyoto-style brewing, and the simplicity of modern brewing methods, has transformed how we view coffee. While hot coffee remains a classic, cold brew’s revival and rise to popularity reflect on the shift in how we appreciate coffee as an art form.
Ultimately, cold brew reigns supreme in its ability to deliver a smooth, less acidic experience that suits a wide range of tastes and lifestyles, making it a worthy contender against its hot counterpart. Whether you’re looking for a new way to enjoy coffee or simply seeking a more refreshing option, cold brew is a must-try.