Buzz
Does cold brew contain more caffeine than regular coffee? Surprisingly, this is a deceptive question. While cold brew methods extract less caffeine than hot brewing, the final drink is often concentrated enough to match hot coffee's potency.
This is due to the large quantity of coffee grounds used in cold brew, which is later diluted with water, milk, or ice. The caffeine level varies based on the brew's initial concentration and the portion served, making it difficult to estimate accurately.
Consider Starbucks’ cold brew, which contains
The preparation methods differ: iced coffee begins as double-strength hot coffee, poured over ice (which dilutes it as it melts). Cold brew, on the other hand, involves steeping a large amount of coffee in cold water for 20 hours. In this scenario, the cold brew is more concentrated. However, a 16-ounce hot coffee without ice contains 310 milligrams of caffeine, surpassing both.
Conversely, consuming bottled cold brew without dilution delivers a significant caffeine boost: for instance, Stumptown’s 10.5-ounce bottle contains 279 milligrams, surpassing the caffeine content of hot brewed coffee in a direct ounce-to-ounce comparison. For detailed statistics on your preferred brand, refer to these charts at caffeine informer.
