Cold

 Copilot:

Cold-pressed. Tell me about cold-pressed coffee. I know a latte from McDonalds made with cold-pressed is more expensive than with ordinary coffee. Is it just that cold-pressed avoids the denaturation when ordinary hot coffee goes cold??

Great observation, Louise! You're tapping into a subtle but fascinating distinction in coffee chemistry and culture. Let's break it down:

☕ What Is Cold-Pressed (Cold Brew) Coffee?

Cold-pressed coffee—more commonly called cold brew—is made by steeping coarsely ground coffee beans in cold or room-temperature water for 12 to 24 hours. Unlike traditional brewing, it doesn't use heat, which changes everything about the flavor and chemical profile.

🔬 Why It Tastes Different

No heat = no denaturation of volatile compounds. You're absolutely right—hot coffee undergoes chemical changes as it cools, often resulting in bitterness or sourness. Cold brew avoids this because those compounds were never heat-extracted to begin with.

Lower acidity: Cold brew extracts fewer acidic compounds, making it smoother and easier on the stomach.

Sweeter, rounder flavor: Without heat, bitter oils and tannins stay locked in the grounds, so the brew tastes naturally sweeter.

Higher caffeine (sometimes): Because it’s steeped longer and often made as a concentrate, cold brew can pack more punch—though it’s usually diluted before serving.

💸 Why It Costs More

Time-intensive: A batch takes up to 24 hours to brew, compared to minutes for hot coffee.

More coffee used: Cold brew typically uses a higher coffee-to-water ratio (1:4 to 1:8 vs. 1:16 to 1:20 for regular coffee).

Shelf life: It lasts longer—up to two weeks refrigerated—so it’s often bottled or batch-prepped, adding to production costs.

🧊 Cold Brew in Lattes

When McDonald's or any café uses cold brew in a latte, they’re offering a smoother, more premium experience. It’s not just about avoiding bitterness—it's about elevating the flavor profile. That’s why it commands a higher price.

Would you like to explore how to make cold brew at home or dive into other coffee trends like nitro or flash brew?

How do I make cold brew coffee at home?

https://youtu.be/zide3FNF260?si=AIExZ9YQ1zEe3-j5

Making cold brew coffee at home is surprisingly easy—and incredibly rewarding. You don’t need fancy gear, just a bit of patience and good beans. Here's your step-by-step guide to brewing a smooth, rich batch:

🛠️ What You’ll Need

Coarsely ground coffee (like raw sugar texture)

Cold or room-temperature water

A jar, pitcher, or French press

A fine mesh strainer or coffee filter

🧊 Step-by-Step Cold Brew Method

Measure your ingredients Use a ratio of 1:4—that’s 1 cup of coarsely ground coffee to 4 cups of water. Tip: For a stronger concentrate, go 1:2 or 1:3.

Combine and stir Add the coffee grounds to your container, pour in the water, and stir gently to ensure all grounds are saturated.

Steep patiently Cover and let it sit at room temperature or in the fridge for 12 to 24 hours. The longer the steep, the bolder the flavor.

Strain thoroughly Use a fine mesh strainer, cheesecloth, or coffee filter to separate the grounds from the liquid. You’ll end up with a clean, concentrated brew.

Serve or store Dilute with water, milk, or your favorite alt-milk. Cold brew keeps well in the fridge for up to 2 weeks.

(The copilot recipe recommends twice as much coffee as that recommended in the video. I am

no advocating anything...)

Fine. I should try cold-brew served...cold. What happens if I try to heat it up?

Ah, the rebel move—heating cold brew! It’s totally doable, but it’s not without consequences. Let’s unpack what happens when you warm up this cool character:

🔥 What Happens When You Heat Cold Brew

Flavor shift: Cold brew is prized for its smooth, low-acid profile. Heating it—especially aggressively—can trigger chemical changes that increase bitterness and acidity, similar to what happens when hot coffee cools down.

Loss of nuance: The subtle, sweet notes that cold brew extracts slowly over time can flatten out when exposed to heat. You might lose that velvety mouthfeel and end up with something closer to standard drip coffee.

Oxidation risk: Heating speeds up oxidation, which can make your brew taste stale or metallic faster.

✅ Best Ways to Heat Cold Brew (If You Must)

Gentle stovetop warming: Heat it slowly in a saucepan over low heat. This preserves more of the original flavor than nuking it in the microwave.

Add hot water or steamed milk: Instead of heating the concentrate directly, dilute it with hot liquid. This warms your drink while keeping bitterness at bay.

Avoid microwaves: They tend to unevenly heat and can scorch the brew, leading to a harsh taste.

🧠 Pro Tip

If you’re using cold brew concentrate, you can treat it like espresso—just mix with hot water for an Americano-style drink. It’s fast, smooth, and still gentler than traditional hot coffee.

So yes, cold brew can go hot... but it’s like putting a tuxedo on a surfer. It works, but you lose a bit of the charm. Want to explore cold brew cocktails or dessert pairings next?

What is the caffeine content of a large McDonalds Vanilla Lattee made with cold brew?

A large McDonald's Vanilla Latte made with cold brew isn't a standard menu item everywhere, so caffeine content can vary depending on location and preparation. But here's what we can piece together:

☕ Standard McDonald's Vanilla Latte (Espresso-Based)

Large (21–24 oz): ~178 mg of caffeine

This includes espresso shots and steamed milk, with vanilla syrup added.

🔬 Cold Brew Variant

If your McDonald's offers a cold brew version, it likely uses a cold brew concentrate instead of espresso. Cold brew generally has more caffeine per ounce than espresso, but it's often diluted in lattes

Estimated range: A large cold brew latte could contain 200–250 mg of caffeine, depending on how strong the concentrate is and how much milk is added.

So yes, it’s likely more caffeinated than the espresso version—and that’s part of why it’s priced higher. Plus, cold brew’s smoother flavor and longer prep time add to its premium appeal.

Want help estimating the caffeine in your own homemade cold brew latte? I can walk you through the math.

Are Lattes usually made with expresso?

Yes, absolutely—lattes are traditionally made with espresso. In fact, espresso is the heart and soul of a latte.

☕ What’s in a Classic Latte?

1–2 shots of espresso: This is the base, providing that bold, concentrated coffee flavor.

Steamed milk: Usually 6–10 oz, depending on cup size. It softens the intensity of the espresso.

A thin layer of milk foam: Just enough to add texture and a velvety finish.

The typical ratio is about 1 part espresso to 3–5 parts milk, depending on how strong or creamy you like it.

🧠 Espresso vs. Regular Coffee

Espresso is brewed by forcing hot water through finely ground coffee under high pressure, resulting in a small, intense shot. Regular drip coffee is brewed more slowly and with less pressure, making it milder and more diluted.

So if you’ve had a latte made with drip coffee or cold brew instead of espresso, it’s a twist on the classic—but not the norm. Want to explore how lattes compare to cappuccinos or flat whites next?

                                                                                 *     *     *

Made some. Used 2 tbsp Tim Horton's ground coffee I had on-hand in 1/4 cup distilled water. 

Drained it this morning by the spoonful through an emptied tea bag nestled in a coffee maker. 

No granules whatsoever!!

My initial impression: perfectly awful. There is nothing sadder than room-temperature coffee.

But although it definitely tasted full-bodied, there was no bitterness. Daughter Lyse rendered

the verdict: it is not a drink, it is an ingredient... So yes, cream, sugar and vanilla might

take this somewhere. Le tout on ice, of course. 

Thinking of heading off to Walmart, this morning. The Tim's across the way offers an Original 

Cold Brew at 150 calories. Should give it a try, but then might not. We're getting a cold spell for 

the week, barely reaching 20C.

By Labour Day, then.