What if I tell you that your coffee preference can reveal your personality? Well, that’s true!

A survey found that those who favour cold brew coffee are introverts who enjoy sunny weather. And on the other hand, folks who enjoy grabbing hold of hot coffee mugs are likely extroverts who enjoy cloudy days.

Hot, freshly brewed coffee makes for a terrific beverage, especially in winter. However, if you are a coffee lover and have never tried iced coffee, this is the time.

There are two types of standard iced coffees that you will certainly find in cafes and coffee shops: Cold brewed and Americano. Although both are brewed coffee, they differ in some beautiful traits.

In this article, we will discuss the difference between cold brew coffee and Americano coffee. Also, we will try to find out the answer to “does an Americano have more caffeine than a cold brew“?

Let’s get started.

What is a Cold Brew?

Cold brew is prepared using cold water or water levelled at room temperature, where the coffee beans are steeped for 12 to 24 hours (ideal time period). Once the coffee beans are properly soaked, the natural flavour of the coffee comes out.

Also, it is important to ensure the water used in the process has a balanced ratio— because then only the best possible flavour will come out.

Cold brew coffees are often used in lattes, cappuccinos and other espresso drinks as they have less acidity and more intensity than regular brewed or iced coffee.

Also read on: difference between latte and cappuccino and espresso

What is Americano Coffee?

Do you know that Americano coffee got its name from the Italian espresso that American soldiers would buy during World War II and then add hot water to make it more resemble drip coffee?

The original version of this coffee drink is just a simple coffee with one or two shots of espresso added in either hot or cold water. With cold water, you get a feeling of drinking iced Americano sweetened with milk and served with ice cubes or milk foam on top. On the other hand, hot Americano is just extra hot water and espresso shots. That’s it!

What is the Difference Between an Americano and Cold Brew?

In general, both are brewed coffee drinks. However, there are four important aspects that make them different from each other:

• Ingredients
• Brewing process
• Taste
• Grind size

Ingredients

To prepare a cold brew, you need a cup full of coarsely ground coffee with five cups of (cold) water. While making the cold brew, remember to keep the ratio to 1:5. Only then you’ll be able to bring out the best of the flavour.

On the other hand, to prepare an Americano, you only need 30 ml of an espresso shot, ground coffee beans, and water.

Brewing Process

There are two different processes for making a cold brew:

• The basic one is where you soak the coffee beans using a filter bag for 12 to 24 hours.
• The systematic one where you brew the beans and water using a drip, also known as Kyoto.

For Americano, an espresso machine and hot water are all you need in the brewing process.

Taste

Both coffee beverages have their own distinct flavours, but if you had to choose one to rank higher in taste, cold brew would win.

In cold brew, coffee beans are steeped, which brings out the full flavour of the drink. Whereas in Americano, the drink is produced by diluting espresso shots with water. This strangely diminishes the authentic espresso flavour.

Cold brew tastes less bitter and sweet compared to Americano, which with the addition of cream and milk, becomes thick and caramelised.

Grind Size

For cold brew coffee, you require a coarse grind, and for Americano, you need a fine grind.

Suggested Reading: what is the difference between Black Coffee and Americano

Does an Americano have more Caffeine than a Cold Brew?

An Americano contains less caffeine than cold brew coffee does. This is because while making both coffee drinks, an Americano only uses two shots of espresso, whereas cold brew uses coffee beans that have been steeped for a longer duration of time.

Note:

An Americano may occasionally contain more caffeine than a cold brew, but only if the cold brew coffee beans are steeped for less than 15 hours.

Americano or Cold Brew: Which One is Stronger?

As we have discussed earlier, to make a cold brew, the cold beans are steeped for 12 to 24 hours. This is what makes cold brew stronger than an Americano.

Americano usually is smoother, and with toppings and ice cubes, it gets sweeter in taste.

Healthy Benefits of an Americano and Cold Brew

One of the best things about drinking coffee is that it provides multiple health benefits. You can be certain of the same with an Americano and a cold brew in your hand.

These two coffee beverages share a few similar health advantages. Antioxidants, flavonoids, and magnesium, for instance, are readily available in cold brew and Americano and are essential to human health. These two coffee beverages are the greatest to think about if you’re trying to lose weight and burn fat.

To make it more flavorful, you can also add certain toppings like cream and sugar.

Last Thoughts

Now that you have your answer to “does an Americano have more caffeine than a cold brew” and know the differences between an Americano and a cold brew, you should decide which one is nicer than the other.

However, while making both these coffee drinks, it’s important to ensure you are correctly following the must-needed process to bring out the best of the taste.

Whether you are making an Americano or cold brew, quality coffee beans are essential, and to find the best quality and priced coffee beans; there is no better place than Kahwati.

If you are ready to try these coffee drinks and need whole coffee beans to start off, click here to place an order.