Benefits Of Cold Brew Coffee And Why It’s Better Than Hot Brew Coffee
Sometimes a piping hot cup of coffee is too much for a morning beverage. And, if you live in a warm environment or it is summer, you may never find yourself craving for hot coffee.
Luckily for everyone, this type of coffee drink is more prevalent every day. As a bonus, there are many health benefits of cold brew coffee. You can not only get your caffeine fix without overheating, but you can savour your brew, knowing it is good for you.
The Science Behind Cold Brew
You’re probably wondering what cold brew coffee is since you keep hearing about it from your coffee-loving friends lately. Cold brewing is not a new phenomenon. This method has been around for years but became overshadowed by the faster hot coffee brewing method. However, many people are opting for a cold brew for more reasons than the easy-drinking temperature.
With this style of coffee, the extraction process is different. Cold or room temperature water is used to soak coffee grinds. From this process, a concentrated liquid forms. This liquid is then strained and diluted to create a drinkable cup of cold brew coffee. Read our guide on how to make cold brew concentrate for the detailed instructions.
The coffee bean’s chemical components react differently to cold water, so you get a different kind of beverage.
The lack of heat means certain oils and acids do not release into the surrounding water. Because of this, many people believe that cold brewed coffee is better han hot brewed coffee.
Cold Brew vs Hot Brew
Both cold and hot brewed coffee has many health benefits. Most of these benefits are the same for each brewing method. Only when you ask yourself, “is cold brew coffee better for you,” do you start noticing a few extra benefits.
Easy On Your Stomach
Although cold brew is generally stronger than regular brewed coffee, it is known to be easier on your entire digestive system. It contains a large number of crude polysaccharides. These are sugar molecules that positively affect the digestive system by boosting immunity (1). If the acidity of coffee bothers your stomach, these molecules help prevent the gut irritation you may have experienced with hot coffee.
Less Acidic
Cold brew coffee is more alkaline than hot brewed coffee. Hot coffee has higher concentrations of titratable acidic compounds and a lower pH (2). If you are prone to acid reflux or heartburn, hot brewed coffee can trigger these discomforts. Cold brew coffee may not, proving again, one of the many great things about this beverage.
You Can Easily Drink It Black
In the debate of cold brew vs hot brewed coffee, cold brew coffee is without question less bitter and more smooth. This brewing process yields the best flavour components of coffee beans and leaves the bitter flavonoids and acids in the grounds. The more appealing taste means you are less tempted to add cream and sugar. Listen to the expert:
You don’t have to have all the additives in there, black coffee is much less expensive, and if you go black, it’s much healthier for you.
If you usually drink 2-3 cups of coffee a day with cream and sugar, your coffee quickly becomes unhealthy. Adjusting to a black cup of cold brew is much easier than hot coffee.
On a related note, here some cool ideas to give your cold brew a sweet taste.
Final Thoughts
Drinking cold brew comes with a bunch of health benefits. Like hot brewed coffee, it can speed up your metabolism, increase neuron function, and improve your mood. But, it’s easier to digest, less acidic, and less bitter than hot brewed coffee.
FAQs
Cold brew coffee does not always have more caffeine than hot brewed coffee. If you brew your own cold brew concentrate, you can lower caffeine levels by using less concentrate and increasing the amount of water you dilute it with.
Yes, you can drink cold brew hot. The “cold” in cold brew doesn’t mean all cold brew is served cold. If you want a warm cold brew, dilute your concentrate with boiling water. It’s as simple as that. Just bear in mind that adding boiled water might change the cold brew’s original taste.
Cold brew coffee is not the same as iced coffee. Iced coffee is hot brewed coffee served chilled or immediately over ice. People tend to think that because it’s called “cold brew” this drink is simply a cold coffee, which sounds much like iced coffee. But the cold brew is cold because you prepare it with cold water and let it steep for a long period before it’s ready to drink. Our in-depth comparison should help you learn the differences between these two coffee drinks.
References
- Prev Nutr Food Sci. (2017, Jun 22). The Chemical Characteristics and Immune-Modulating Activity of Polysaccharides Isolated from Cold-Brew Coffee. Retrieved from 10.3746/pnf.2017.22.2.100 https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5503418/
- Rao, N.Z., Fuller, M. (2018, October 30). Acidity and Antioxidant Activity of Cold Brew Coffee. Retrieved from https://www.nature.com/articles/s41598-018-34392-w
