Best water for coffee brewing
Does it matter what water you use for coffee and how important is it?
Yes, it matters a lot. Using good water for coffee makes a huge difference!
This is actually one of the most common questions about coffee brewing – what water should you use to make a great cup of coffee.
What is the best water for making coffee at home?
The best water for brewing coffee at home is water with the right amount and balance of minerals. The right content of minerals in the water for coffee is 150 – 200 ppm (parts per million). But it’s also important what minerals are in the water, as they are the key to creating the taste.
Can you use tap water for coffee making?
Yes. Considering the above, the best water for coffee making is filtered tap water. However, it depends on where you live and what tap water you have, so here we are talking about tap water meeting hygene standards which is safe to drink.
But there is a downside to the usual tap water – it is often chlorinated, and chlorine causes a loss of aroma in coffee.
How to get rid of chlorine from the water?
To improve chlorinated tap water, leave the water in a jar (or any container) for a couple of hours or overnight and it will lose the chlorine.
Tip: Always use fresh water for your coffee
How do minerals change the taste of coffee?
The mineral content plays a major role in coffee extraction and how coffee it tastes. Generally speaking, this is how the taste changes:
- High mineral content = sour coffee
- Low mineral content = bitter coffee
Which minerals are desirable in water for coffee and which are not?
The desirable minerals in water, which bring out the flavours in coffee are:
- Magnesium – increases extraction
- Calcium – increases extraction
- Bicarbonate – balances the alkalinity of water
- Sodium and potassium (low levels) – add sweetness to coffee
On the other hand, the ideal water for coffee should be low in these minerals:
- Iron and copper – they give a metallic taste and change the colour
- Sodium (high levels) – blocks coffee extraction, can add salty taste
- Sulphates – increase bitterness
Soft vs hard water for coffee
The softness or hardness of water refers to the level of minerals in the water. Hard water has a high concentration of minerals, while soft water is low in minerals. Neither very hard of very soft water is ideal for coffee, you want something in the mid-range.
What is the ideal pH of water for coffee?
The best water acidity (pH) for coffee is the neutral pH, which is 7. In general, the range between 6.6 and 7.5 pH is the best for brewing coffee.
Is it OK to use distilled water to make coffee?
The quick answer is no. Distilled water is not a good choice, as your coffee will taste very bitter. This is because distilled water is very low in minerals and you need the right mineral balance to bring out the best flavours in coffee. Apart from that, whether distilled water is healthy to drink or not, is rather controversial.
Another thing worth considering is whether distilled water is good for your coffee machine. Metal in some types of machines may deteriorate more quickly due to the chemical reactions caused by distilled water.
Is bottled water better for making coffee than tap water?
No, unless your tap water is not drinkable. There are no benefits of using bottled water vs tap water. Moreover, it’s not eco-friendly to use bottled water when you don’t have to.
How to filter tap water for coffee
The best choice to filter water for coffee are simple filter jugs. By using them, you will get rid of chlorine, any water contamination as well as you will reduce mineral levels, but at the same time you won’t eliminate the minerals completely, and medium mineral content is what you are aiming for.
What is the best water for an espresso machine?
You will probably find the manufacturer’s recommendations for your specific coffee machine, so chech this first. However, as a rule of thumb, the best water for espresso machines has 90 – 150 ppm, which refers to the mineral content in the water.
What water not to use for coffee making?
It’s better not to use for coffee making:
- Distilled water
- Chlorinated water
Final note
We hope you find this article useful. But you may now be thinking ‘How to test the water and check the minerals in it?’ Here is one final tip to help you choose good water for your home coffee brewing without overcomplicating the things: if the water tases good when you drink it, it will be probably good to make coffee with.