Comparing Cold Brew and Hot Coffee: Characteristics and Taste Profile

During the scorching summer months, FrontStreet Coffee's iced coffee becomes a bestseller, with cold drip and cold brew often selling out. Even during the bitter cold winter, some customers still come to enjoy iced coffee. In this article, FrontStreet Coffee will discuss the flavor differences between cold brew coffee and hot coffee.

The Origins of Cold Brew Coffee

Many people first learned about cold brew coffee through curiosity about unique cold drip brewing equipment. Cold brew coffee refers to immersion-style cold brew coffee, which differs from drip-style ice drip coffee. Cold brew involves steeping coffee grounds in room temperature water or an ice-water mixture in a container, storing it at low temperatures for a certain period, and then filtering out the grounds to obtain the coffee liquid. Ice drip, on the other hand, involves slowly dripping an ice-water mixture onto coffee grounds to extract the coffee liquid. Both methods属于 low-temperature extraction and are among the most common types of iced coffee in many coffee shops.

The earliest documentation of cold brew coffee dates back to the 17th century, when Dutch sailors tried steeping coffee grounds in cold water during their sea voyages. They discovered that coffee extracted with cold water was less bitter and easier to store and transport for extended periods, hence the name "Dutch Coffee." This "cold water coffee" method was introduced to Japan during the Edo period through maritime trade, where the Japanese developed slow-extraction drip coffee brewers that could extract more aromatic compounds from coffee.

What Are the Flavor Characteristics of Cold Brew Coffee?

Since coffee beans are seeds, their oil content is richer than other parts of the plant. Therefore, regardless of the coffee variety, the darker the roast, the more the oils will be expressed on the bean surface and in the mouthfeel. Light roasts have a lighter body, more juice-like qualities, prominent fruit acidity, uplifted floral and fruit aromas, and don't smell like typical coffee. Dark roasts have a heavier, richer body, deeper aromas, and smell more like what we typically consider "coffee flavor."

Compared to high-temperature extraction methods like pour-over and espresso, cold brew reduces the release of tannic acids that create bitter flavors, resulting in less noticeable acidity and bitterness, with a smooth mouthfeel and clean, clear flavors. The extraction temperature of cold brew is not as high as hot coffee, making it less likely to extract off-flavors and bitterness, so the cold brew method faithfully reflects the processing method and roast degree in the flavor expression. Through cold brew extraction, aromatic compounds in coffee remain in cold water for longer periods, presenting more natural floral and fruit aromas at low temperatures.

Since small molecular flavor compounds dissipate more easily, even though cold brew coffee is stored in low-temperature refrigerators, floral notes and other small molecular flavors become less noticeable over time. Therefore, FrontStreet Coffee suggests storing filtered cold brew in airtight containers for no more than 5 days to avoid flavor loss and bacterial growth.

Which Coffee Beans Make Good Cold Brew Coffee?

Regarding coffee bean selection, FrontStreet Coffee believes you can choose coffee beans with different processing methods or roast degrees based on your personal preferences, provided that you select freshly roasted beans. Since coffee enters its optimal flavor window 4-7 days after roasting, after this period, the coffee aroma will accelerate its dissipation, and flavor and mouthfeel will be significantly diminished. FrontStreet Coffee ships beans roasted within 5 days to ensure everyone experiences coffee at its best flavor peak, so the coffee beans you receive will have optimal aroma.

Due to its extraction characteristics, cold brew can highlight wine-like notes, fruit fermentation sensations, and fruit aromas in coffee. For friends who are unsure which coffee beans to choose, you can refer to the several varieties listed by FrontStreet Coffee.

"Refreshing Floral-Fruity Type - FrontStreet Coffee's Flower Sequence TOH Washed Champion Coffee Beans"

This coffee bean originates from the Uraga region of Guji, Ethiopia. The region's geology consists of nutrient-rich black soil, producing coffee beans with rich fruit aromas. The washed processing method highlights the coffee's clear floral notes and citrus flavors. When FrontStreet Coffee uses this bean to make cold brew, it presents a sweet taste reminiscent of pomelo tea.

"Fermented Wine Aroma Type - FrontStreet Coffee's Honduras Lychee Orchid Wine Barrel Coffee Beans"

This Honduras Lychee Orchid coffee bean undergoes brandy barrel fermentation processing, presenting rich brandy, honey, and lychee sweetness notes, making it very popular when made into iced coffee. The Lychee Orchid cold brew presents rich fermented wine aromas, along with honey and cantaloupe sweetness.

"Tropical Fruit Type - FrontStreet Coffee's Costa Rica Mozart Coffee Beans"

Mozart coffee beans belong to the Musician series. This Mozart coffee bean from FrontStreet Coffee uses raisin honey processing, preserving 100% fruit mucilage with zero water treatment, highlighting the rich sweet and sour flavors of tropical fruits. When made into cold brew coffee, it presents preserved fruit-like sweetness, with berry acidity and sugarcane-like aftertaste.

For professional coffee knowledge exchange and more coffee bean information, please follow Coffee Workshop (WeChat public account: cafe_style).

For more specialty coffee beans, please add FrontStreet Coffee's private WeChat (FrontStreet Coffee), WeChat ID: qjcoffeex

Important Notice :

前街咖啡 FrontStreet Coffee has moved to new addredd:

FrontStreet Coffee Address: 315,Donghua East Road,GuangZhou

Tel:020 38364473