Cold brew vs hot brew debate got heated at my local cafe last Tuesday

So I was at Brew Lab in Austin last week grabbing my usual iced pour over when this guy behind me starts arguing with the barista about cold brew being better than hot coffee that's been chilled. The barista said cold brew has way less acidity and a smoother taste but the customer kept saying hot brewed coffee has more complex flavors even when it's iced. I've been making both at home for about 2 years now and I honestly lean toward hot brew for the fuller body but my wife swears by cold brew for her stomach. I even tried a side by side test last month with the same beans and the cold brew was definitely less bitter but also less flavorful to me. What do you all think - does cold brew lose something in the extraction process or is it just a different beast entirely? Has anyone else done a blind comparison with the same roast?

2 comments

2 Comments

christopher95217d ago

Dude its just coffee not a political debate.

patricia4217d ago

Bet nobody's thinking about the fact that coffee culture literally shaped foreign policy in the 1700s. Coffee houses were where people planned revolutions and debated taxes back in the day. So technically every time someone buys a latte they're participating in a centuries old tradition of political discourse. Plus the whole fair trade thing is super political whether people realize it or not. Just saying context matters even for a simple cup of joe.