When talking about strong coffee, our minds immediately go to the caffeine level.
Although a coffee beverage can feature a high caffeine content, it can also offer a strong taste and flavor. With a wide range of different coffee and espresso drink styles on the market, it can get confusing what the main differences are.
Today, our Perk experts are going to break down some of the essential differences between cold brew and espresso beverages to help you decide which one you’ll prefer most.
How Are Cold Brew and Espresso Prepared?
Espresso is made by brewing coffee grinds under high pressure. This process results in a strong, concentrated drink that offers a high amount of caffeine within a small amount of liquid. Espresso beverages are often paired with steamed milk or hot water to curb the acidity and enhance the taste, but they can also be consumed as a standalone shot.
Cold brew is made by steeping coffee grinds in cold water for a period of time, which results in a less acidic taste than an espresso or drip coffee. The concentrated cold brew coffee should be diluted with water and is commonly served with ice and an optional choice of dairy or dairy substitute.
Cold Brew vs Espresso Taste: Satisfy Your Pallet
You may be wondering what espresso tastes like and does it taste different from a cold brew or hot coffee? Since espresso is forced through hot water this results in a full-body and robust flavor. This is often why espresso is usually the base of other coffee drinks, such as a latte, cappuccino, or macchiatos which usually also have cream or milk.
Cold brew on the other hand is a very different taste and is often consumed black or with a dash of milk. Cold brew offers a smoother, mellow flavor but still packs a punch of caffeine that coffee drinkers love.
Our cold brew is the popular choice fo rmany of our customers during the spring and summer months. Some fun flavors our baristas are currently making include the Coconut Vanilla Cloud Cold Brew & Toasted Almond Cold Brew!
Does Cold Brew Have More Caffeine Than Espresso?
Since cold brew coffee is brewed at a lower temperature than traditional coffee, many people believe this results in a higher concentration of caffeine. However, the jury is still unsure whether cold brew has more caffeine than espresso. While espresso does contain a higher concentration of caffeine per ounce, cold brew is typically brewed for a longer period of time, resulting in a larger final volume.
One perk about espresso (no pun intended) is that you can exercise greater control over how much of it you want in your drink. You can always add an additional shot if you desire to increase its strength. You can also combine decaf and caffeinated espressos to mellow out the energizing effects of the caffeine.
Like cold brew, Espresso can also be used in iced beverages. For example, we often prepare iced lattes during the summer for many of our customers who love the hot version during the colder months!
Visit Bayville’s Coffee Shop
Whether you enjoy a hot or cold coffee, Perk has the drink for you! Be sure to check out our online menu, as we provide curbside pickup. If you are looking for a more relaxing coffee experience, come visit us in-store and try our variety of dessert lattes and breakfast sandwiches.
