Cold Brew Coffee Vs Hot Coffee – Which Is Better And Why!

In this battle of the brew, cold brew vs hot coffee I talk about the two coffee brewing methods and which is better and why.

I cover the important aspects of caffeine content, health, staying awake, weight loss and the benefits of both.

Keep reading to find out which is healthier, what has more caffeine and which one of these two types of coffee is better for you.

Cold Brew Coffee Vs Hot Coffee Caffeine Content

Clearly there is more caffeine in cold brew coffee than hot coffee. The only question is how much more caffeine does cold brew have when compared to hot coffee?

Well,

in order to give a good comparison I selected Starbucks as the coffee shop to get the details from.

Starbucks is popular amongst coffee drinkers and uses specific coffee beans for specific drinks and does not change which beans are used for a particular drink, unless requested.

They also have a wide range of coffee drinks ranging from regular coffee to iced coffee (hot brewed coffee over ice), black coffee, lattes and many more.

In the table below you will see a comparison of the most popular coffee drinks at Starbucks and the amount of caffeine in each drink size. I’ve also listed cold brew coffee for a comparison of cold brew coffee vs hot coffee caffeine content.

Read: How much more caffeine is in cold brew?

It is very clear that cold brew coffee has greater levels of caffeine than hot coffee drinks of all types. There is not a great difference in caffeine levels between caffé Americano and Cold brew.

At Latte Love Brew we strongly recommend that you keep your caffeine intake to within the 400 mg daily amount as set by the FDA.

Caffeine In Cold Brew Vs Espresso

The one stand out popular hot coffee drink that is missing from the table above is espresso. I intentionally did not put this in the table above due to an espresso being served in a different size.

An espresso has a unique serving size of 1 oz (30 ml) and 2 oz (60 ml) for a doppio (double shot).

The caffeine content of each is 75 mg and 150 mg respectively.

It is clear to see that in total cold brew has more caffeine than both a single and double shot of espresso with one exception: A tall 12 Oz (360 ml) cold brew has the same amount of caffeine as a double shot of espresso.

The amount of caffeine in cold brew is as follows:

• Tall 12 Oz (360 ml) 150 mg.
• Grande 16 Oz (480 ml) 200 mg.
• Venti 24 Oz (720 ml) 300 mg.
• Trenta 31 Oz (930 ml) 330 mg.

Read: Does nitro cold brew have more caffeine than espresso?

Cold Brew Vs Hot Brew Coffee Health – Which Is Better?

Studies by scientists at Thomas Jefferson discovered that hot brew coffee has a higher amount of antioxidants when compared to coffee that is brewed with cold water.

Hot brewed coffee is only slightly higher in acidity than cold water brewed coffee and has the same amount and quantity of nutrients.

By definition, this would make hot brew coffee the healthier option.

Cold Coffee Or Hot Coffee For Weight Loss

Cold brewed coffee is better than hot coffee for weight loss due to containing more caffeine. Due to the effect of caffeine increasing your metabolic rate by as much as 11% and the metabolic rate aiding your body to burn fat is it fair to say that cold-brewed coffee has greater benefit in your fight to lose weight.

Also, it is accurate to say that caffeine aids in helping your body to convert food to energy.

Hot Coffee Or Cold Coffee To Stay Awake

While hotly brewed coffee is better for you overall if it is a caffeine boost that you need to keep you awake or help you to stay awake for that all-night study session, get that report in for your boss or for whatever reason cold brew coffee is the better choice as it contains more caffeine than hot coffee.

As a result you will get an increased stimulation and will help you to achieve that goal of staying awake for longer.

Read: Does cold brew have more caffeine?

Cold Coffee Vs Hot Coffee Benefits

Obviously, there are advantages to both hot and cold coffee and each has their own benefits to take into account.

Let’s talk about the benefits of each beverage.

Cold Coffee Benefits

There are many benefits of drinking cold brew coffee, one of which is the reduced acidity. This is of particular interest and benefit to you if you have a sensitive stomach or have dental issues.

If you struggle with early mornings and getting your mind or body sharp in the mornings, cold brew will give you a bigger and better kick than other types of coffee due to the elevated caffeine content. As we spoke about earlier, it will also help you to stay awake.

It is a great tasting and very refreshing coffee that can be enjoyed on a hot summer day without making you hot sweaty and uncomfortable.

It is a unique brewing method that extracts the low temperature flavor compounds.

Hot Coffee Benefits

The standout benefit of hot coffee is that it is healthier and better for you overall than cold brew coffee. It is also quick and easy to make, and you can make it in minutes. Cold brew unfortunately takes all day to make – typically 12 to 24 hrs.

Being the polar opposite, at least in terms of temperature, when compared to cold brew coffee, it is a great drink to warm you up on a cold morning.

Is Cold Brew Less Acidic Than Hot Coffee?

Yes, after comparing samples of both hot and cold-brewed coffee, researchers found that cold brew was less acidic than hot coffee. The respective pH levels were 4.85 vs 5.13.

Also, it was found that hot brewed coffee had more antioxidants.

Frequently Asked Questions About Cold Brew Coffee Vs Hot Coffee

Is Cold Brew Coffee Better Than Hot?

The question of cold-brewed coffee being better than hot coffee is subjective and based entirely on an opinion and personal taste.

Cold brew has a reduced bitterness and lower acidity when compared to brewing methods that use hot water. It is a smoother, more rounded coffee.

Is Cold Coffee Healthier Than Hot Coffee?

Published studies by researchers at Thomas Jefferson University have noted that there are more antioxidants in hot coffee. This fact would confirm that cold coffee is not healthier than hot coffee as due to having more antioxidants a cup of coffee that is hot brewed is healthier.

Does Cold Brew Coffee Taste Different Than Hot Coffee?

Yes,

cold brew tastes different from iced coffee, which is hot coffee brewed over ice and all other types of coffee that is brewed with hot water.

The reason for the difference in taste is the reduced temperature extracts different flavor compounds than regular hot brewing. It is smooth, well-rounded and very flavorful with no notable bitterness or acidity.

As a comparison, hot brew is more acidic and has hints of bitterness.

What Is The Point Of Cold Brew Coffee?

Cold brew is a very nice and very tasty cup of coffee – the main reason for enjoying it. Also, drinking hot coffee on a hot day can be a little uncomfortable, and, well, a great cold-brewed coffee is a nice alternative to iced coffee and is very refreshing on a hot day.

Can You Heat Cold Brew Coffee?

Yes, heating cold brew is an option, while some people like to do that for a low acid and smooth cup of coffee that is less bitter.

However, and as enjoyable as it is, it also makes your coffee degrade quicker. This is something you can do only on a per-cup basis. It is not recommended that you heat a whole batch.

What Happens If I Heat Up Cold Brew?

When you heat your cold brew coffee it will react with oxygen quicker which has the effect of degrading the flavor.

Also,

by reacting quicker to oxygen your coffee will go off quicker. If you want to enjoy a hot cold brew coffee, use a strong cold brew concentrate of 1:2 coffee to water ratio; a 1:4 ration is fine, then simply add hot water.

It is as easy as that. The reason for seeking out a 1:2 ratio is due to the need to add more hot water to dilute it.

What Is The Taste Difference Between Cold Brew And Hot Coffee?

Cold brew coffee is significantly less acidic, mellow and has no bitter notes and has a well-rounded and balanced flavor which is in stark contrast to hot coffee.

Why Do People Prefer Cold Brew Coffee?

Cold brew coffee is a great tasting coffee with a very mellow and balanced flavor with a low acidity which makes it perfect for people that suffer from acid reflux, GERD and heartburn.

Final Thoughts – Cold Brew Coffee Vs Hot Coffee

I hope that you enjoyed this comparison of cold brew coffee vs hot coffee and know which one is best for you and why.

If I have missed something out, or you have a question about cold brew or hot coffee, join our coffee community on Facebook/Meta and ask us! Better still, tell us which is better for you and why!

You can even share with us all an image of your delicious coffee creation.

Derek Marshall

Derek Marshall, a certified barista by the Specialty Coffee Association possesses over two decades of experience in specialty coffee shops. He holds professional certifications for coffee brewing and barista skills. Derek is also an author with authoritative books covering various coffee topics including specialty coffee, sustainability and coffee, coffee brewing, coffee recipes, coffee cocktails and books focusing on Brazilian coffee, Vietnamese coffee, Indonesian coffee and Malaysian coffee. As a barista for over two decades, Derek Marshall has worked in specialty coffee shops across the United Kingdom, Spain, Thailand, Malaysia, Cambodia, Indonesia, and Vietnam. His expertise extends to the distinct coffee cultures, specialty beverages, and brewing techniques of each nation. Functioning as a coffee consultant, Derek charges US$50 per hour. To learn more about Derek Marshall and Latte Love Brew, visit his About Me Page. For coffee inquiries, contact him at +34-639-410-375 or Derek@LatteLoveBrew.com, mentioning your name and location