Can you heat up a cold brew (how do you heat up a cold brew + more information)?

Many people assume that Cold brew coffee is designed to be consumed only cold. But can you heat up a cold brew? Read on to find out more!

Some coffee lovers wonder which is the best method to heat up a cold brew. Though I have always loved cold brew, I was unaware that heating it was an option. During winter, I stopped taking cold brew coffee to avoid a cold. This changed when I visited my best friend last winter.

I found her heating cold brew with hot water. This was quite a surprise for me since I had never tried it before. I started researching heating up cold brew and created this post to share what I had learned. By the end of this post, you will learn why you should heat up a cold brew, the benefits of doing this, and the methods of heating up a cold brew.

Why should you heat up a cold brew?

To enjoy its low acidity

You can heat up a cold brew to enjoy coffee with lower acidity. Due to the process of making cold brew coffee, it is lower in acidity compared to other brewing methods. You can heat up a cold brew if you prefer it hot and want to enjoy its low acidity.

To save time

You can also heat up a cold brew to speed up the prep time. Using a cold brew concentrate to make hot coffee can save you time since it allows you to skip the brewing process for your hot coffee. You can heat up cold brew in large batches and use it for a couple of weeks.

To find a specific flavor

If you are searching for a particular flavor in cold brew coffee, you can heat it up. This can help you create a smooth cup of coffee that you may enjoy.

Are there benefits of heating up a cold brew?

It does not dilute the coffee too much

Heating up a cold brew lets you make a cup of coffee without diluting its flavor. This is different from adding warm water to drip coffee which dilutes the flavor too much. Cold brew coffee is strong, and the flavor will not dilute too much even when you add hot water. Therefore, heating up a cold brew lets you enjoy full-bodied and rich-tasting coffee.

It is affordable

You should also consider heating up a cold brew since it is economical. You can bulk cold brew coffee concentrate and consume it for a couple of days or weeks. This works great since cold brew is concentrated. Since you don’t need a lot of cold brew concentrate to prepare a good cup of coffee, it can last longer.

How do you heat up a cold brew?

Dilute it with boiled water

This is the simplest method of heating cold brew. You only need to boil some water using an electric kettle and pour it into cold brew concentrate. Before doing this, ensure you heat some extra water, then pour some of it into an empty cup to preheat it.

This can help the coffee heat up gradually without suddenly shocking it with extreme temperatures. After this, add cold brew concentrate into the cup and then more water. You can then stir and enjoy the cold brew coffee.

Reheat cold brew on the stovetop

Start by setting the stove to medium heat and then heat the cold brew coffee to your desired drinking temperature. You can heat it between 70 and 75C. Avoid overheating it since you may have to wait for it to cool down. Also, be careful not to burn the coffee. Though this method of heating cold brew is simple, it may not be very accurate, especially if you don’t have a thermometer.

Microwave

You can also heat up a cold brew using a microwave. Microwave it in 10-15 bursts and stir until it is hot enough to enjoy. Do not let it boil or burn since this can alter its taste. Also, ensure you utilize a microwave-safe mug. Though this method is quick, it does not always yield the best results when done wrong. Ensure that you add some water to the cold brew before placing it in the microwave.

What does heated cold brew taste like?

Heated cold brew has a rich sweetness and smooth flavor. However, the specific taste depends on the precise method you choose to heat it and also how old the cold brew is. If you heat the cold brew on a stove, it will have a more caramelly flavor. On the other hand, if you dilute the cold brew with water, the taste will depend on how much water you pour into it. Heating cold brew will not make it taste worse.

Final Thoughts

From the above, you can tell that heating cold brew is possible. Coffee lovers enjoy the benefits of heating up a cold brew. Though there are different methods of heating cold brew, diluting cold brew with hot water is the most recommended method.

FAQ section

Is heated cold brew easy on the stomach?

Cold brew coffee is less acidic than traditional coffee and is, therefore, gentle on your stomach. Even if you heat it, it will still be less acidic than a regular drip cup. Since the acidity does not change drastically with a temperature change, it will not negatively affect your stomach.

Is heated cold brew high in acidity?

No. Cold brew is naturally low in acidity due to the cold brewing process it undergoes. Heating up cold brew does not raise acidity since you don’t add more coffee grounds when heating it.

Is heated cold brew high in caffeine?

No. Since heating a cold brew will not affect the caffeine composition in the drink, a heated cold brew has the same caffeine content as a cold brew.