The world of coffee making is as colorful as the rainbow. Throughout history, countless flavor variations have popped up not just from one place but from all around the globe. These various coffee flavors came from two brewing methods. One is the traditional hot brewing, and the other is the versatile cold brewing.
Even the stellar number of fans cannot agree. Is it better to brew it hot? Or to brew it cold? Traditionally hot brewed coffee is always the way to go, but current consumers are slowly switching to the cold-brewed coffee. This coffee has been riding the trend ever since and has not stepped down from the popular lists of best sellers. Cold brew coffee is now a common name in the market and has already made its way to stores, restaurants, and coffee shops. Is it really worth the hype? How is cold brewed coffee different from our regular one?
Preparation: The Right Temperature for the Perfect Hot or Cold Coffee
Although both coffees have one source and one goal, the methods that are used in both differ so much that it gives a different result.
Hot Coffee
The traditional piping hot coffee is brewed in hot water. In this method, heat is used to extract coffee concentrate in minutes. The temperature while brewing the coffee plays a very crucial role in this method. This ensures that the heat will balance out the flavors that go into the coffee.
The temperature is generally set to 195°to 205°F to ensure that the compounds in the coffee will give a crisp acidic taste that is not too bitter and not too sour. It often results in a rich, sultry, and aromatic flavor.
Cold Coffee
Changing the brewing method can change the results dramatically. In cold brewing, it takes days to complete one batch, depending on the method of brewing and the type of cold brew coffee maker used. The process of cold brewing begins with steeping the coffee in cool water. Instead of using heat, this method uses the time to extract flavors from the coffee grounds. The process could take about 12 to 48 hours to complete. The grounds are then filtered in a clean cup without sediments.
Brewing Results
Since different methods were used, different sets of results are achieved. The hot brew coffee is ready within minutes from the process, and its result is the taste of classic elegance. There is a crisp acidity to it, a rich flavor, and its trademark of satisfying aroma. Though hot brew coffee can taste best for only a couple of hours, it is one step ahead in the game of fragrance. Espresso is considered one of the most flavorful coffee drinks, but Moka pot, French press, and AeroPress are not far behind.
Aroma
The aroma is a big factor that differentiates hot brew from a cold brew. Cold-brew coffees have less perfumed results compared to hot brew. The natural coffee oils extracted from cold brewing remain in the coffee instead of dissipating within a couple of minutes. The sweet aroma we all love stay in the coffee not for your nose to savor but for your tongue to relish. When the cold brew is ingested, we also ingest the coffee oils that are responsible for the aroma. Our brains interpret the oils as a truckload of vibrant floral flavors instead of fragrance.
Bitterness and Acidity
Cold brewing has slowed down the process of oxidation and degradation, which leads to less bitterness and acidity. Less bitterness and acidity generally gives cold brew coffee a different flavor profile. While hot brew is aromatic, rich and bold, cold brew is mild, sweet, and flavorful. These two methods yield two opposite results in the coffee making, which made coffee lovers even more confused in picking a favorite.
The point is, when you prepare your iced coffee, you can choose to prepare it with cold brew, or with hot brewed coffee. We have a comprehensive comparison between iced coffee and cold brew, if you need more info on the subject.
Health Benefits
Though both brewing methods come up with different results, its health benefits are never far from each other. As mentioned, cold brewing has lessened the levels of acidity in coffee and is beneficial to drinkers sensitive to acids. It lessens the risk of stomach irritation and digestive problems. Although cold brewing has lessened acidity, it has also decreased the amount of antioxidants in coffee, such as chlorogenic acids.
Chlorogenic acids are antioxidants that contain anti-inflammatory, anti-cancer, and anti-diabetes properties. Though most of chlorogenic acid from coffee disappears, It is often present in hot brewed coffee. So on that note, hot brewed is deemed healthier. Slight differences don't change the fact that whatever the method is, both are still coffee and both contain the benefit of old classic coffee.
These benefits include:
Decreases the risk of depression
Decreases the risk of dementia
Decreases the risk of diabetes
Aids weight loss
Decreases the risk of Alzheimer's
Decreases the risk of heart disease
Protect against melanoma
Increases your fiber intake
Reduce muscle pain
Decreases the risk of colorectal cancer
The methods of brewing, like coffee, will always have evolution but 'we'll continue to welcome them with open arms. Innovation brings us amazing caffeinated drinks such as Nitro Cold Brew, lattes, and cappuccinos. Brewing methods are only a small part of coffee making and do not always prevent consumers from getting their caffeine fix. The choices can be wide and various, but it still comes down to personal preference. Whether you're a classic hot brew fan or a sweet tooth adversary of cold brew, we could all agree that there is no better drink than coffee.
