Coffee 101: Water
Pure water is essential for quality coffee. One of the most commonly voiced complaints we’ve heard about home brewed coffee goes something like this:
“No matter what blend of coffee I taste at your coffee shop, it’s always excellent. But when I purchase that same coffee and brew it at home, it never tastes as good.
“What am I doing wrong?”
Our answer: Good coffee begins with good water.
What you may not realize is that the quality of your home tap water – even if it’s safe and tastes fine drawn cold from the tap – is probably the cause for all those “odd” and unpleasant flavors that mysteriously emerge in your daily home brew. Especially as it’s heated.
The remedy for this brewing quandry is most often very simple and surprisingly affordable. It can be solved with the purchase of a home water filtration system.
There are five general causes of poor quality water: minerals, algae, sediment, chemical contamination and chlorine… each of which will impart a range of flavors described as “harsh, muddy, acidic, bitter, chemical, metallic, or dirty.” These off flavors become harshest as water reaches its boiling point.
When water is filtered, it ideally becomes odorless and “tasteless,” (think about your favorite bottled water), though many of us prefer a specific bottled water based upon some taste preference.
The neutral qualities of filtered water make a perfect base to allow the natural flavors of fine coffee or tea to “blossom” in the cup without the interference of “off flavors” imparted by unfiltered water.
The good news is that convenient manual water filtration systems that use a pitcher with a filter (Brita and PUR are best recognized) can be purchased at many grocery, home goods and department stores for as little as $30.
Of course, you may decide to opt for a top-quality home filtration system that starts with a custom water test and is matched to your specific source water environment. That can get pricey.
But most home owners can install an efficient and sophisticated universal under-counter, on-demand kitchen system for between $75 to $200.
If you already own a filtration system, you may need to take extra steps to eliminate excess (distasteful) chlorine. That can be done by selecting a filter canister suited to your water conditions.
There are two exceptions:
• If you own – or intend to purchase – a quality home espresso machine, we recommend a quality filter with water softening system that’s matched to your espresso machine.
• If you own a water softening system, we recommend bypassing softened water at the kitchen tap reserved for coffee, tea and ice, since softened water contains high levels of sodium.
Some home owners dedicate an exclusive kitchen sink tap for all filtered “consumable” water used in food preparation.
Many manufacturers produce affordable home filtration systems designed specifically for coffee and tea brewing at no extra cost. You may need to research which companies offer filters specifically suited for coffee brewing.
You’ll find dozens of options online or from a visit to your local home improvement store. If you’re still unsure about your first step, then start with the major names in water filtration, which include: Aqua-Pure, Brita, Culligan, Everpure, GE, and PUR.
Whatever your choice, we wager that you’ll taste the difference with your first home-brewed cup of coffee using fresh, clear, filtered water.
