The Role of Water in Coffee Brewing: Quality Matters | BEAN BARN

The Role of Water in Coffee Brewing: Quality Matters

Introduction

When it comes to brewing coffee, water quality is often overlooked, yet it plays a crucial role in the final taste of your brew. Water makes up about 98% of a cup of coffee, so its quality directly impacts the flavor and aroma of your drink. In this article, we discuss the significance of using high-quality water while brewing coffee and how to strike the ideal balance.

Understanding Water Hardness

Hard Water vs. Soft Water

Water hardness is determined by the mineral content, primarily calcium and magnesium. Hard water contains higher levels of these minerals, while soft water has fewer. Hard water can lead to over-extraction, resulting in a bitter taste, whereas soft water can cause under-extraction, making the coffee taste flat.

Measuring Water Hardness

Water hardness is measured in parts per million (ppm) or milligrams per liter (mg/L) of calcium carbonate. The Specialty Coffee Association (SCA) recommends a hardness level of 50-175 ppm for optimal coffee brewing.

The Impact of Minerals

Calcium and Magnesium

Calcium and magnesium are essential for extracting coffee’s flavorful compounds. They contribute to the overall body and mouthfeel of the coffee. However, an imbalance can negatively affect the taste. Too much calcium can create scale buildup in equipment, while an appropriate amount enhances flavor.

Sodium and Potassium

Sodium and potassium are also present in water and can influence the taste of coffee. In small amounts, they can enhance sweetness and balance acidity. However, high levels of sodium can make coffee taste salty and undesirable.

Water pH Level

Importance of pH

On a pH scale of 0 to 14, where 7 is neutral, the pH level of water indicates how acidic or alkaline it is. The ideal pH for brewing coffee is slightly acidic, around 6.5 to 7.5. Water that is too acidic can result in a sour taste, while water that is too alkaline can make the coffee taste dull.

Adjusting pH

If your water is too acidic or too alkaline, you can adjust the pH using various methods. For example, adding a small amount of baking soda can neutralize acidic water, while using a water filter can help balance overly alkaline water.

Water Filtration and Purification

Filtration Methods

There are several methods to filter and purify water for coffee brewing, including activated carbon filters, reverse osmosis, and ion exchange. Each method has its advantages and can help remove impurities, chlorine, and unwanted minerals that affect coffee flavor.

Reverse Osmosis

The process of reverse osmosis, or RO, is widely used to produce clean water.

To get the ideal mineral balance, some coffee lovers mix several kinds of water. It removes nearly all dissolved minerals and contaminants, providing a clean slate for brewing. However, because RO water is too pure, it’s often remineralizer to add back essential minerals for proper extraction.

Achieving the Perfect Balance

Blending Water

Some coffee enthusiasts blend different types of water to achieve the perfect mineral balance. For example, mixing RO water with a small amount of mineral-rich bottled water can create the ideal hardness and pH level for brewing.

Water Quality Testing

Regularly testing your water quality can help maintain consistency in your coffee brewing. Test kits are available that measure hardness, pH, and other important factors. By understanding your water’s composition, you can make necessary adjustments to optimize your coffee’s flavor.

The Role of Water Temperature

Ideal Brewing Temperature

Temperature is another important consideration in the extraction of coffee, along with water quality. For making coffee, water should be between 195°F and 205°F (90°C and 96°C). Over-extraction can result from overheated water, whereas under-extraction might occur from lukewarm water.

Consistency in Temperature

Throughout the brewing process, keeping the water temperature constant guarantees uniform extraction and well-balanced taste. Using a quality kettle with temperature control can help achieve this consistency, especially for methods like pour-over and French press.

Conclusion

Water quality is a vital component of brewing the perfect cup of coffee. By understanding the importance of mineral content, pH levels, and water temperature, you can fine-tune your brewing process to enhance flavor and aroma. At Bean Barn, we’re dedicated to helping you achieve the best coffee experience possible. Experiment with different water sources and filtration methods to find what works best for you, and enjoy the delicious results in every cup.