Cold Brew Coffee vs. Hot Coffee

In America, coffee is consumed by 83% of adults. Coffee is one of the most popular beverages in America; there have been many different flavors and variations including lattes, mochas, espressos, and more.  Avid coffee drinkers know it all; if you can name it, baristas can usually make it.  Some people don’t even care what the weather is and are willing to walk around with iced coffees in the middle of winter.  The new fad in today’s society is cold brewed coffee.  It has a ton of benefits and can be served steaming hot or iced cold for all types of coffee lovers.

First, let’s explain how the hot brew coffee process works.  A chemical engineering graduate from Cornell University discovered that high temperatures used during the “typical” process of making hot coffee facilitate the release of undesirable flavor elements. (https://toddycafe.com/cold-brew/why-toddy-cold-brew) In fact, a roasted coffee bean contains many compounds such as certain oils and fatty acids that are extracted during the hot brewing process and are only soluble at a high temperature.  The hot brewed process gives the coffee a “bite” that eight out of ten people do not like. In fact, people try to soften the acidity of hot coffee by adding milk, cream or sugar to their cup.

Now, on to cold brewed coffee.  Cold brewed coffee is not iced coffee. Sure, people may think they are the same because they are both cold, but cold brewed coffee has much more to offer than just that. During the cold brew process, coffee beans are never exposed to high temperatures.  Instead, delicious flavor compounds and caffeine are extracted while leaving behind myriad bitter oils, biting fatty acids, and other elements such as ketones, esters and amides.  The cold brew process creates a perfectly balanced cup of coffee unlike the hot brewed coffee process. Cold brewed coffee is smooth, delicious and, as it turns out, a little bit better for you!  According to a study done by Toddy, cold-brewed coffee is 67% less acidic than hot-brewed.  As a result, cold-brewed coffee does not have the burnt flavor that hot-brewed coffee does.  In addition, the reduced acid makes cold-brewed coffee healthier for your stomach and your teeth.  (http://www.thedailybeast.com/articles/2009/08/18/coffees-dirty-little-secret.html)

Take a chance on cold brewed coffee at Poppy’s Café, located in the Philadelphia produce market called MARKET at the FAREWAY in Chestnut Hill.  Leave a comment on the MARKET at the FAREWAY’s Facebook page about which one you prefer!  Feel free to message us on Facebook for any questions or concerns you may have.