When brewing coffee, we often focus on beans, grind size, and brewing method, but we sometimes overlook the importance of water. In fact, water makes up about 98% of your cup of coffee, which means it plays a huge role in determining how your coffee tastes. The quality of water, the water-to-coffee ratio, and the temperature of the water can significantly impact your brewing results.
Why Water Quality Matters
If you’ve ever noticed that coffee brewed at home doesn’t quite taste as good as the one you had at a coffee shop, the culprit could be your water. Coffee is brewed by extracting soluble compounds from the coffee grounds into water. The minerals and composition of the water you use will affect how those flavours are extracted.
Hard Water vs. Soft Water
Hard water contains higher levels of minerals like calcium and magnesium, which can interfere with the extraction process, often leading to a dull or muted taste. Soft water, on the other hand, lacks these minerals and may result in over-extraction, causing the coffee to taste overly bitter. Ideally, you want a balance — water that contains some minerals to help enhance the flavour but not so much that it overwhelms the coffee.
Using filtered water with a moderate mineral content will help you achieve better brews. Some folks may consider investing in a water filter or using bottled water designed specifically for coffee brewing.
We carry a variety of coffee water products that enable you to adjust the mineral content in your water:
- View All Coffee Water Products
- Apax Lab - Water Mineral for Coffee - Individual Profile
- Apax Lab - Box Set - Water Mineral for Coffee
- Third Wave Water - Espresso Profile
- Third Wave Water - Classic Profile
- Aquacode - Coffee Brewing Water
- Perfect Coffee Water - Coffee Brewing Water
Ideal Water-to-Coffee Ratios
The water-to-coffee ratio is another crucial factor in brewing the perfect cup. Too little water, and your coffee will be overly strong and bitter. Too much water, and it’ll be weak and lacking in flavour. The key is to strike the right balance, and there’s a recommended starting point known as the "Golden Ratio."
The Golden Ratio
For most brewing methods, a common recommendation is 1:16, meaning one part coffee to 16 parts water. This translates to about 1 gram of coffee for every 16 grams/mL of water. Here's another way to think about this:
- For a 12-ounce cup of coffee (about 355 ml), use 22 grams of coffee.
- For a standard 8-ounce cup (about 240 ml), use 15 grams of coffee.
Of course, the ratio can be adjusted depending on your personal taste preferences. If you prefer a stronger brew, try a 1:15 ratio, and for a lighter cup, go for 1:17. The key is to experiment and find the balance that works best for you.
The Importance of Water Temperature
The temperature of the water during brewing also impacts flavour extraction. Water that’s too hot can over-extract the coffee, leading to a bitter taste, while water that’s too cold under-extracts, resulting in a sour or flat cup.
The ideal water temperature for brewing coffee is between 90°C to 96°C (195°F and 205°F). This range ensures that all the desirable compounds in the coffee are extracted without pulling out too much bitterness. If you’re boiling water manually, letting it sit for 30 seconds after boiling will usually bring it into the right range. Some coffee makers and kettles also allow you to control the water temperature, which can be helpful for achieving consistency.
Water's impact on flavour and brewing quality can’t be overstated. By paying attention to water quality, using the right water-to-coffee ratio, and ensuring the correct water temperature, you can significantly improve the taste of your brew.