Which Tastes Better: Cold Drip or Cold Brew? Flavor Differences in Sidamo Coffee Beans

Which Tastes Better: Cold Drip or Cold Brew Coffee?

FrontStreet Coffee's baristas are often asked this question, and their first response is always "both taste delicious." However, these two coffee varieties actually offer different taste profiles—it depends on whether you prefer a refreshing, clean mouthfeel or a smooth, rich texture. This time, FrontStreet Coffee will explain the differences between these two coffee varieties.

Understanding Cold Extraction

The pour-over coffee we commonly encounter is a high-temperature extraction process. High-temperature extraction causes tannic acid in coffee to rapidly break down into pyrogallic acid, producing sour, sweet, and bitter notes—what FrontStreet Coffee often refers to as the process of releasing coffee flavors. Over-extraction with water that's too hot can cause coffee flavors to be completely released, followed by the release of woody fibers from the coffee beans, resulting in what we commonly call unpleasant flavors such as astringency or woody notes.

Cold brew and cold drip coffee, on the other hand, are cold extraction processes. Cold extraction involves prolonged contact between water and coffee grounds at low temperatures. Only smaller molecular flavor compounds, such as floral and fruity aromas, are extracted, while larger molecular flavor compounds like smoky and roasted notes are difficult to extract. Therefore, cold brew/cold drip coffee allows you to better taste the inherent flavors of coffee beans, with a smooth mouthfeel, distinct layers, and a noticeable sweet aftertaste.

Flavor Profile and Mouthfeel Differences Between the Two Coffees

Cold Brew Coffee (Mouthfeel Characteristics: Rich, Smooth)

This is an extraction method with ancient origins. Cold brew coffee is made by first mixing coffee with cold water, placing it in the refrigerator to steep for at least 8 hours. Then, the coffee liquid is filtered and separated from the coffee grounds (using methods such as French press, flannel filter paper, etc.—any method that separates the liquid from the grounds works). After this, you can enjoy it freely. Because of the prolonged cold steeping, this coffee has higher body and can be stored for extended periods, making it deeply loved by many coffee enthusiasts.

Cold Drip Coffee (Mouthfeel Characteristics: Clean, Refreshing)

Cold drip coffee is extracted at temperatures below 5 degrees Celsius throughout the entire prolonged process, resulting in lower caffeine content. The reason why a cup of true cold drip coffee is of superior quality lies in selecting appropriate coffee beans and extracting them at low temperatures with a consistent slow drip, resulting in coffee that is clear and transparent, with a refreshing, fragrant, and mellow taste—balanced, smooth, with a sweet aftertaste. The essence of coffee flavors is perfectly expressed.

How to Make Cold Drip Coffee & Cold Brew Coffee?

This time, FrontStreet Coffee uses the recently launched Ethiopian Natural Process "Huang Kui" coffee beans to make both varieties for comparison.

Origin: Ethiopia, Hambella

Altitude: 1900-2200m

Processing Method: Natural Process

Variety: Local Heirloom Varieties

FrontStreet Coffee's Cold Brew Coffee Making Method

1. Pour coffee grounds into a clean container, then add water at a ratio according to personal preference. (If you want to drink the coffee concentrate directly after extraction, you can use a coffee-to-water ratio of 1:12. If you want to mix the coffee concentrate with other ingredients after extraction, such as sparkling water, ice water, soda water, milk, etc., you can use a coffee-to-water ratio of 1:5 or 1:6)

Grinding Suggestion: The coffee grounds can be slightly coarser than those used for regular pour-over coffee, because fine grounds are prone to over-extraction, extracting some undesirable flavors (bitterness, astringency).

2. Place in the refrigerator for 8-12 hours of extraction, allowing the coffee grounds to fully contact with the cold water.

3. After extraction, filter the coffee liquid using a filter cloth or filter paper.

4. Pour into your favorite container and enjoy~

FrontStreet Coffee's Cold Drip Coffee Making Method

1. FrontStreet Coffee uses a water-to-coffee ratio of 1:10 for cold drip, meaning 60 grams of coffee grounds to extract 600 milliliters of coffee liquid. If your home cold drip tower doesn't have such a large capacity, remember to reduce the amount of coffee grounds proportionally~

2. Place a circular filter paper at the bottom of the coffee grounds chamber, wet it with water to adhere to the chamber wall, add 60g of ground coffee (grind size similar to pour-over coffee is fine~), then level the coffee surface. You can also use the weight of the tamper itself to lightly press the coffee bed to make the surface even.

3. Remember to place a piece of filter paper on top of the coffee bed. Because the tension of the filter paper helps distribute water evenly, without it, prolonged water dripping would create a crater in the coffee bed.

4. Use ice water to "pre-infuse" all coffee grounds. You don't need too much water—just enough to ensure all coffee grounds are moistened. This is actually similar to the blooming process in pour-over coffee, which can improve extraction efficiency and consistency of the final product. If you drip directly with ice water, it might cause uneven moistening of the coffee bed, with some coffee grounds being over-extracted while others don't participate in the extraction.

5. Place a 1:1 mixture of ice and water in the water reservoir, and adjust the valve to approximately 7 drops per 10 seconds.

6. After completion, pour the coffee liquid into a sealed glass bottle and place it in the refrigerator to ferment overnight, allowing the coffee flavors to meld together, resulting in better taste and easier drinking.

Flavor Descriptions of Two Iced Coffees Made with FrontStreet Coffee's Natural Process Huang Kui:

Cold Brew Coffee:

Floral aromas, rich and full berry juice sensation, sweet and sour notes of berry fruits, distinct fermentation notes, smooth mouthfeel, and honey-like aftertaste.

Cold Drip Coffee:

Light floral aromas, berry acidity, subtle fermentation notes, refreshing and clean mouthfeel, with nectarine and mango aftertaste.

Important Notice :

前街咖啡 FrontStreet Coffee has moved to new addredd:

FrontStreet Coffee Address: 315,Donghua East Road,GuangZhou

Tel:020 38364473