Mar 10 2025
Cold Brew vs. Hot Brew: Which Maximizes Healthy Tea Benefits?
This article compares cold brew and hot brew tea methods to determine which maximizes health benefits. Hot brewing rapidly extracts polyphenols, tannins, and caffeine (e.g., theaflavins in black tea), while cold brewing preserves heat-sensitive antioxidants like green tea’s EGCG, reduces tannins for smoother taste, and lowers caffeine content. Cold brew may enhance antioxidant bioavailability, but hot brewing releases broader compounds faster. Choice depends on tea type, health goals (e.g., caffeine sensitivity vs. rapid antioxidant extraction), and digestive tolerance (low tannins vs. post-meal digestion support).