[Spyder]

Originally Posted by Last Knight

I think I'm supposed to recommend cold brewing at this point - more caffeine than regular brew and always on demand, once you've mixed up enough concentrate.

I haven't tried it myself, though, so this is something of a "blind" testimonial.

That simply isn't true as cold brewing extracts less caffeine as well as other compounds in the coffee, which is why cold brew is smoother and has less or no bitterness. In case some of you don't know, caffeine by nature is bitter.

Now if less water/more coffee is used for cold brewing then of course it can be stronger as it is simply more concentrated. One guy seems to have pushed this theory to the absolute limit with the "Black Blood of the Earth." Might be worth a try, but you're paying an awful lot for his time/effort.

[Austin]

Originally Posted by Spyder

That simply isn't true as cold brewing extracts less caffeine as well as other compounds in the coffee, which is why cold brew is smoother and has less or no bitterness. In case some of you don't know, caffeine by nature is bitter.

Now if less water/more coffee is used for cold brewing then of course it can be stronger as it is simply more concentrated. One guy seems to have pushed this theory to the absolute limit with the "Black Blood of the Earth." Might be worth a try, but you're paying an awful lot for his time/effort.

I've read multiple articles on the caffeine content of cold brew.

It seems to vary greatly.

[Stryker777]

Same here. No idea what to believe because I have no way to test it lol. I like it for a change of pace sometimes. Doesn't really matter if the caffeine is higher or lower. I can mix it as strong as I want.

[RichHelms]

Bitterness can come from many sources in the extraction. Over extraction and too hot of water can make the result bitter.

[Spyder]

Of course it can Rich. Trick is to extract enough flavor/solubles to mask the bitterness. Which of course is most difficult with espresso as pressure magnifies everything the coffee has to offer, good or bad.

Seems as people often get acidic and bitter confused. Describing coffees as simply being bitter as it can take a trained palate to differentiate bitter from acidic from sour, etc.

People also need to realize the slightest thing such as a breath mint, toothpaste, certain foods can greatly throw off the taste of coffee.

Getting back to cold brew... if that's what people like then go for it. I'm a purist and strongly believe nothing can touch a good espresso. Without question the toughest form of coffee to perfect.

[Austin]

I love espresso, but I'm open to the multitude of the experience.

Cold brew is excellent in places that get to be 100+ in the summer. I'm not a fan of iced lattes, so drink cold brew.

I drink iced to, just not with as much exuberance.