Hot brew is any coffee brewed using hot water, which can include drip coffee, French press or pour over coffee. Cold brew, however, is a specific brewing method. To make cold brew you steep coffee grounds in cold water for extended periods of time. The term hot brew is usually only used to differentiate it from cold brew coffee.

The main difference between hot brew and cold brew is the method of preparation. Still, this also creates differences in the chemical structure, particularly when it comes to acidity and antioxidant levels. Hot brew and cold brew have benefits for your health including a reduced risk of diseases and a temporary increase in energy and alertness. 

Differences Between Cold And Hot Brew

The main difference between cold brew and regular coffee is the method of preparation, but this creates differences in the strength, flavor, and antioxidant levels.

The differences between cold brew coffee vs hot brew are:

• Preparation – Cold brew is prepared by steeping coffee grounds in cold water over an extended period of time, whereas hot brew is prepared by using hot water to extract coffee by drip or immersion over a period of around 2-5 minutes.
• Ratio – Cold brew is usually prepared as a concentrated coffee, with a ratio of 1:5, whereas hot brew is prepared with a ratio of between 1:10 to 1:17 depending on the brewing method.
• Flavor – Cold brew is considered to have a smoother, sweeter taste than hot brew, with less bitterness.
• Acidity – Cold brew is less acidic than hot brew coffee, and is less likely to cause stomach irritation.
• Caffeine – The caffeine content of cold brew can be much higher, but this is due to the amount of coffee used, and not the preparation method.
• Antioxidants – Hot brew has higher levels of antioxidants when prepared with dark roast coffee beans.

Which One Is More Acidic, Cold Brew Or Hot Brew?

Hot brew is more acidic than cold brew because hot water extracts more of the compounds from the beans that cause acidity. Coffee contains a number of acidic compounds, but the one responsible for the unpleasant acidic taste and stomach irritation is quinic acid. Quinic acid is released as part of the brewing process, at temperatures over 140°F. Cold brew is prepared with room temperature water at approximately  68°F and brewed at temperatures under 40°F.

What Are The Flavor Differences Between Cold Brew And Hot Brew?

Cold brew has a smoother, sweeter flavor than hot brew, with less bitterness. The flavor of hot brewed coffee depends on the exact brewing method.

Cold brew brings out more of the chocolatey flavors in beans while muting the bitter and acidic flavors. It has a smooth taste with a natural sweetness that many people find they enjoy without milk or sugar. However, you won’t get the same intensity of flavor or aroma that you do with hot brewed coffee.

The taste of your hot brew coffee varies with each brewing method. For example, French press coffee has a full bodied flavor with a rich mouthfeel. The pour over method of brewing produces a crisp, clean cup of coffee that accentuates delicate flavors. Coffee made with a drip machine has a simple, rounded flavor profile with some earthy notes.

Which One Is More Versatile, Cold Brew Vs. Hot Brew?

Cold brew coffee is more versatile because it is usually made as concentrated coffee. This means you can drink it as a concentrate for an espresso-style shot, or dilute it with water for different strengths. If you dilute the concentrate with hot water, you can also enjoy it as a hot coffee. However hot brew coffee could be considered more versatile because it can be prepared using various brewing methods, including pour over, French press, AeroPress, or drip coffee machine.

Which One Is Stronger, Cold Brew Or Hot Brew?

Cold brew coffee is generally stronger than hot brew in terms of caffeine, but it depends on the recipe, and how the hot brew is prepared. When you prepare it to a standard recipe using 1 part coffee to 5 parts water, cold brew has a caffeine concentration of 518 mg per 8 oz serving.

The caffeine content of hot brewed coffee will depend on the preparation method. Regular drip coffee contains approximately 175 mg per 8 oz cup, French press coffee approximately 204 mg per 8 oz cup, and Aeropress coffee can contain up to 312 mg per 8 oz cup.

Which One Is More Expensive, Cold Brew Or Hot Brew?

Cold brew is more expensive than hot brew because making cold brew coffee requires more coffee grounds to make it. Cold brew is generally prepared as a concentrated beverage, at a ratio of 1:5 (one part coffee to five parts water). So to prepare an 8 oz cup of cold brew, you need around 48 g of ground coffee. Compare this to French press coffee prepared at a ratio of 1:12, which only requires 20 g of coffee to make an 8 oz serve. If you buy cold brew in a cafe, cold brew is also priced higher due to the time and electricity required to keep it refrigerated during the steeping process.

For hot brew coffee, however, you will need to take into account the cost of your initial setup. You’ll generally need a specific coffee maker, such as a drip machine, a French press or a pour over. While cold brew coffee makers do exist, cold brew can be easily prepared without any special equipment.