Consider Caffeine: The difference between Espresso and Cold Brew
The Sunshine Coast Hinterland provides us with ever-changing weather, leaving us to seek a warm espresso in the morning and a refreshing cold brew in the afternoon.
The differences when brewing espresso vs cold brew involves:
- fine grind vs coarse grind
- hot water vs cold water
- shorter brewing time vs longer brewing time
- high pressure vs no pressure
- low coffee to water ratio vs high coffee to water ratio
In an espresso, hot water is pushed at high pressure over 20-40 seconds through 16-22grams of finely ground coffee.
A single shot of espresso generally has between 50-100mg of caffeine.
Cold brew is brewed in a tank with coarsely ground coffee over a 15-24 hour immersion period. In our recommended 50ml serving of our Montville Coffee Cold Brew, there is 85mg of caffeine. This is approximately the same caffeine content as 30ml of espresso.
How do different methods create the same caffeine content?
When anything is added to hot water instead of cold water, it becomes more soluble. Coffee is no exception; a higher caffeine content can be extracted when brewing coffee with hot water rather than cold water.
Espresso’s finer grind, higher brewing pressure, and higher coffee to water ratio all contribute to its high level of caffeine.
What allows for the same amount of caffeine in cold brew and espresso is the difference in brewing time. Cold Brew is left to brew for 15-24 hours. The long-brewing time for Cold Brew increases the caffeine content.
Decaf Cold Brew
Providing a caffeine-free Cold Brew was really important to us. We wanted to be able to offer a product that everyone can enjoy. Whether you're pregnant, or just being conscious of your caffeine intake, you can enjoy our delicious and refreshing cold brew.
Not only does Montville Coffee Organic Cold Brew Caffeine Free* allow you to reduce your caffeine consumption, but the taste is sweet, light and wonderfully refreshing after a hot day!
*coffee that is water processed, 100% chemical free and 99.9% caffeine free.
*Further reading: Check out our blog What's the difference between an Aeropress and a Plunger.
