How Temperature Affects The Taste Of Cold Brew
Temperature plays a massive role in the brewing of your favorite morning pick-me-up however it's served. With hot coffee, too high a heat when brewing will extract more flavor from the beans, potentially leaving your drink bitter (via EspressoWorks). On the other hand, too low of a temperature brewed for the same amount of time will impart less flavor and might give you a watered-down tasting beverage.
Experts have toyed with a variety of brewing methods to adjust the flavors, aromas, and textures of coffee, controlling temperature, brew duration, the size of the grounds, and more. Whatever your coffee inkling, there is the perfect brewing method for you somewhere. For home-made cold brew fans, getting the temperature just right might require some trial and error. Luckily, we're here to arm you with the knowledge of how to choose the correct temperature and brewing method for your perfect cold cup of joe.
The same temperature rules apply to cold brew
The laws of coffee don't change when you're making cold brew: the warmer the temperature, the more extraction you'll get from the grounds. If you make your cold brew at room temperature, more flavor will be imparted faster compared to cold brew made in the refrigerator, according to DripBeans.
And though you'll need to wait a bit longer for the payoff with refrigerator cold brew, you might want to do so, depending on your taste preference. The colder temperature means a slower extraction, which, per EspressoWorks, brings a sweeter flavor. If, on the other hand, you prefer a bold brew, the room temperature method may be the right one for you. Cold brew made at room temperature will still result in a sweeter and less acidic flavor profile than coffee that was hot brewed and then iced, so you'll have to decide if personal preference or convenience matters more when choosing between your brewing options. Do you want the sweetest, smoothest cold brew or something you can drink as fast as possible?
One important thing to note: If you opt for the room temperature method, immediately place your cold brew in the fridge for storage once it is brewed to your desired strength. Stored at room temperature, cold brew is likely to spoil after two days or so, while it can last up to two weeks in the fridge.