Controversial TikTok Cold Brew Coffee Recipe: Silly or Smart?

Are you a coffee lover looking for new ways to enjoy your favorite brew? TikTok has become a hub for food tips and tricks, but not all of them are created equal. One recent viral video from @goldenbrown.coffee has sparked controversy in the coffee community with its unconventional cold brew method.

In the video, presenter Jamie T. Coffee claims that the best way to make cold brew is with hot water, arguing that it extracts flavors that cold water can’t. He combines hot water and ground coffee in a French press, lets it sit at room temperature for 15 minutes, then refrigerates it for 12 hours. While the method may seem simple enough, it has raised eyebrows among coffee enthusiasts.

Critics have questioned whether the coffee can truly be considered cold brew if it spends time in contact with hot water. Some have even gone as far as calling it “leftover” coffee, while others argue that it produces a more bitter flavor than traditional cold brew methods. Coffee snobs have also taken issue with the water-to-coffee ratio used in the video.

Despite the controversy, it’s important to note that the term “cold brew” refers to the temperature at which the mixture is steeped and processed, not the water’s temperature when it touches the coffee beans. Any temperature of water can be used to make cold brew, from ice-cold to standard brewing temperatures.

While the video claims that this method is faster than traditional cold brew techniques, it still takes longer than making hot coffee or using a simpler cold coffee method. Ultimately, whether you decide to try this unconventional cold brew method is up to you. But if you’re looking for a quick and easy way to enjoy your coffee, there are plenty of other options to explore.

What do you think of this controversial cold brew technique? Have you tried it yourself, or do you prefer sticking to traditional methods? Let us know in the comments below!