For coffee lovers, coffee is the most important meal of the day. They believe that coffee gives them super powers. A cup of coffee gives them an unrealistic expectation of an increase in their productivity. Any coffee connoisseur can distinguish between hot brewed coffee and cold coffee.

Coffee Facts

• There are approximately 250,000 coffee growers in India. Maximum coffee production is in the southern states of India.
• Almost 80{ed162fdde9fdc472551df9f31f04601345edf7e4eff6ea93114402690d8fa616} of the country’s coffee production is exported.
• Over 2.25 billion cups of coffee are consumed in the world every day.
• An interesting fact is that more than 90{ed162fdde9fdc472551df9f31f04601345edf7e4eff6ea93114402690d8fa616} of coffee production happens in developing countries like the countries in South America.
• Most coffee consumption happens in the industrialized economies.

Well, that explains why it’s the favorite beverage of the world!

Hot Brew vs. Cold Brew

The real difference between the two lies in its aroma and flavor. The former is strong and acidic while the latter is cool and refreshing. Although they have the same initial ingredients – coffee grounds and water, they differ widely in preparation and taste.

The Process

Hot coffee is typically prepared by letting hot water drip over a coffee filter either by using traditional coffee pots or modern coffee making machines. They are filtered straight into a cup. As simple as that. Preparation time for hot coffee is relatively lesser.

Cold brew coffee is made by soaking coffee grounds at room temperature or cold water and then letting it sit for hours or even days. Then they coffee is strained from the mushy solids.

Which One Wins?

It is not possible to endorse one type of coffee over the other as it depends on the consumer.It is ultimately decided by the coffee enthusiast’s palate and the weather on any given day. 

If one wishes for less acidic, subtle taste than traditional coffee, cold coffee is his best bet. If he or she craves for a strong, aromatic flavor, the hot brew is perfect.

Cold brew has a creamier taste to it. Its cool refreshing flavor makes it a perfect beverage for a hot sunny day.

Hot brew coffee gives you the energy to pump you up on a lethargic day. Cold brew coffee must not be mistaken for iced coffee. Iced coffee is made by brewing hot coffee and immediately adding ice. Cold brew demands more patience than the hot brew during preparation.

The Chemistry

When coffee grounds are mixed with water, a chemical reaction separates them into coffee solubles and grounds.  So technically, coffee beverages are a mixture of these solubles and water.Hot water pulls the soluble chemicals away from the grounds quickly, making them more volatile. This means they evaporate into the air faster and give the enchanting aroma. 

Coffee solubles have a remarkable decrease in their solubility at room temperature. This increases the brew time for cold brew coffee to many hours. If brewed in water, water temperature is kept below the ideal level to remove the acidic solubles. It must sit for a longer period to obtain a stronger brew.

Choosing the Right Cuppa

Cold brew stays fresh for a longer time. Hot coffee usually must be consumed within a day as otherwise, it becomes stale.Since cold brewing doesn’t volatilize the solubles, it has a blunt smell compared to hot drip coffee.  For people who wish for an aromatic coffee experience, the hot coffee is the better option. 

Cold coffee costs more than its hot counterpart because it takes a longer time to prepare and uses up more coffee grounds.

Now that you know the chemistry of hot and cold brew coffee, you will appreciate it better the next time you grab a cup of hot steaming java or deliciously rich and soothing cold coffee.Whether you are a conservative hot coffee fan or a contemporary cold coffee addict, as long as there is caffeine in your cup, all is well!

LSI keywords

hot brew coffee, cold brew coffee, caffeine, solubles, chemistry, aroma, flavour, coffee grounds

References

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Economics_of_coffee  

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Coffee_production_in_India