Table of Contents
No, heating cold brew coffee does not make it acidic. While many people enjoy cold brew coffee, few of them know that you can also enjoy it hot. Cold brew is a great way of getting rid of all the bitterness and acidity.
Acids are not healthy for your body. If you end up drinking a lot of coffee each day, then you should consider switching to cold brew. It is one of the healthiest ways to consume coffee regularly with much more caffeine content.
Does Cold Brew Have Less Acid Than Hot Coffee?
Yes, cold brew has less acid than hot coffee. Also, heating a cold one does not make it acidic. This is why cold brew coffee is becoming the preferred source of caffeine intake for health freaks. To understand why this is so, you need to understand the science behind cold brew and hot coffee.
Hot coffee is made by infusing coffee grounds with hot water. The hot water activates the acidic components of the coffee grounds. So the filtrate that you get is highly acidic and also very bitter.
On the other hand, cold brew coffee is made by steeping water and ground coffee for 12 hours. This whole procedure takes place at either cold or room temperature. So, in the end, the filtrate you get does not have any acid component. Cold coffee has a high caffeine content with no bitterness at all.
The main culprit behind this difference in acidity is the temperature of the water. Hot water is necessary for bringing acidity to the coffee. The cold brew coffee has water at room temperature, so the soluble acids and oils are left behind in the coffee grounds.
See our post: 11 Best Coffee Makers For Making Iced Coffee | Reviews 2024
Can You Heat Cold Coffee?
Yes, you can heat cold-brew coffee. Cold brew is getting more popular day by day due to its amazing health benefits. It is a great healthy beverage alternative due to its less acidic content and caffeine.
You must not get confused with the name, as cold coffee can be served in a variety of different ways. Once you get the brewed liquid, you can be as creative as you want. You can serve cold coffee hot or add iced water or milk.
So does heating make it acidic? No, it does not. Once you have filtered the brew, the acidity is left behind in the coffee grounds, which you throw away. The filtered liquid does not have any precursor acids. So no matter how much you heat it, there would be no acids.
How to Warm Cold Brew Coffee?
There are several methods for heating cold brew. All of them bring out the best flavor of cold coffee. You can use any of it according to your feasibility.
Method# 1
- Add water and cold coffee in a cup in a two-to-one ratio.
- Microwave the cup for a few minutes until you get the desired warmth.
Method# 2
- Heat water in a kettle or saucepan and bring it to a boil.
- Pour hot water into the cold brew.
This is the most preferred method as it brings out the best flavor from the brew. It also preserves the sweetness and fruity tones in the cold brew.
Method# 3
- Combine water and cold coffee.
- Bring the mixture to a boil.
This method is very convenient and requires no hustle. It also does not alter the taste of the cold brew.
You can also add warm milk or even cream to your cold coffee for a change. This gives a very smooth and frothy texture to the cold coffee and tastes amazing.
You may also like to read: Tchibo Fully Automatic Coffee Machine Review in 2024
How Do I Make My Coffee Less Acidic?
Acidity gives the coffee a sour taste. It also has a very bad effect on your health, giving you problems like acid reflux and gastric ulcers. So it is natural that people who love coffee have to deal with its acidic content.
The acidity of coffee varies depending on various factors. You can alter these factors to enjoy a less acidic and tastier coffee.
Coffee Beans
The variety of coffee beans matters a lot. Coffee beans that are grown in soils rich in acids like volcanic soils produce highly acidic coffee beans. Also, the climatic conditions matter a lot. So if the coffee beans are grown at higher altitudes, they may be more acidic.
Arabica coffee beans are best known for their lesser acids and robust flavors.
Roasting
The more you roast the coffee beans, the more acidic they become. A simple rule to remember here is that the darker the color of the coffee beans is, the more acidic it becomes.
Brewing Time
Brewing time is also very important. Coffee beans that are brewed for a very long time, say 12 to 24 hours, do not have any acid content. On the other hand, if you brew coffee quickly, all the acids will become part of your brew.
Water Temperature
The hot water extracts all the acids from the coffee grounds making a highly acidic coffee. Coldwater or room temperature water does not extract any acidity.
Final Thoughts
To sum up the conversation above, is it ok to heat cold brew coffee? Yes, it is. This way, you can enjoy a warm cup of coffee that does not have any acid, oils, or bitterness. Substituting a regular brew with a cold one has a lot of benefits for your health. So heat your cold brew with ease as there would be no acids in it.
