Best Water for Coffee: It Really Makes a Difference!

When it comes to crafting the perfect cup of coffee, most obsess over bean origin, roast level and brewing methods. But there’s an often-overlooked element that can make or break your brewing experience: the best water for coffee.

That’s right! The very substance that makes up 98% of your cup of joe plays a crucial role in extracting those complex flavors from your beans.

But isn’t this going a little bit too far? Isn’t water, well, just water? Not exactly. Not all H2O is equal when it comes to your morning joe.

In fact, choosing the right water can mean the difference between a mid- and barista-level coffee.

How Does Water Affect Coffee’s Taste?

Any coffee expert knows that brewing the perfect cup is a delicate dance of variables. Water is just one of them.

You see, H2O isn’t just a neutral canvas but an active contributor for flavorful coffee.

Why? Well, first off, the best water for coffee must have an ideal mineral content. Water that’s too “soft” (low in minerals) can leave your coffee tasting flat. On the flip side, water that’s too “hard” (high in mineral content) can overpower the subtle notes in your beans. This leaves you with a harsh, bitter brew.

According to the Specialty Coffee Association (SCA), the best water for coffee should have a Total Dissolved Solids (TDS) reading of 50-175 parts per million (ppm) and calcium hardness of 40-75 ppm. This sweet spot allows for optimal extraction, giving you a balanced and flavorful cup.

And pH level is another essential factor. Slightly alkaline water (around 7-8 pH) brings out the best in coffee, enhancing sweetness and reducing perceived acidity. Conversely, acidic water can make your coffee taste sour.

Then comes temperature. In fact, temperature is so important that the SCA recommends a brewing temperature of between 195-205 degrees Fahrenheit (90-96 degrees Celsius). This is because insufficiently heated water won’t extract enough flavor compounds from your grounds. In contrast, excessively hot water over-extracts, leading to bitterness.

Another common culprit in water that can wreak havoc on your coffee’s taste is chlorine. Even small amounts impart an unpleasant pool-like flavor, masking the nuanced notes of your premium coffee beans.

In essence, water isn’t just a supporting actor in coffee brewing; it’s a bonafide co-star. A conscientious brewer pays attention to its quality and composition to ensure the perfect taste. It can mean the difference between a good cup and a mind-blowing brew!

Different Types of Water for Coffee

There are four main types of water you can use for brewing coffee. Let’s take a look.

Distilled Water

Distilled water consists of condensed steam collected from boiling fresh water. This results in a pure H2O composition free from minerals and other impurities. While it might seem like the best water for coffee brewing, it actually poses some challenges. The lack of minerals in distilled water can produce a lackluster coffee with no complexity or depth.

Additionally, the absence of minerals can cause over-extraction. How? Low-mineral water aggressively pulls compounds from coffee grounds, resulting in a sour or bitter brew. For these reasons, coffee experts advise against using distilled water, despite its purity.

Reverse Osmosis Water

Reverse Osmosis or RO water, comes from forcing unfiltered tap water through a semipermeable membrane. These systems remove contaminants, such as microbes, chlorine, sulfates, heavy metal components and sediments. They also remove hard minerals, particularly calcium, zinc and magnesium.

The result is pure, clean coffee water. However, like distilled water, RO water can lack mineral content. These natural minerals contribute to optimal coffee extraction and flavor development.

To address this, many coffee enthusiasts add a small amount of mineral additives. This allows for precise water composition, yielding an excellent-tasting cup of coffee.

Purified Water

Purified water is water treated to a host of cleansing processes. These include filtration, deionization and sedimentation.

For coffee brewing, purified water strikes a good balance between pH levels and mineral content. In addition, this water is free of chlorine and other contaminants. Furthermore, it’s also full of natural minerals that ensure proper extraction.

Many coffee shops and baristas prefer purified water for its consistency. However, exact mineral compositions vary depending on the source water and purification method. As a result, the quality of brewed coffee may also differ.

Alkaline Water

Alkaline water has a higher than neutral pH level, typically above 7 on the scale. It’s produced by electrolysis, which separates water molecules into acidic and alkaline components.

Proponents of alkaline water as the best water for coffee brewing claim various health benefits. These include blood purification and cancer and heart disease prevention. But from a brewer’s perspective, the greatest benefit is the reduction of coffee’s perceived acidity.

This is especially important for espresso, which has concentrated coffee flavors. On the flip side, critics also contend that alkaline water interferes with coffee’s natural acidity. To this end, personal preference determines whether alkaline water is suitable for you.

Bottled Water vs Tap Water for Coffee

Now, how does tap water compare with bottled water when it comes to brewing coffee? 

Let’s kick things off with tap water, the OG brew base: It’s cheap, and available right in your kitchen. No need for expensive water bottles that clutter up your fridge!

But here’s the kicker: tap water quality can be hit or miss. Some cities boast clean water, while others … Well, let’s just say you might be brewing up more than just coffee flavors. 

Cities with hard water, like Indianapolis, Minneapolis and Las Vegas, can throw your coffee’s flavor base off so much that you end up with an undrinkable cup.

That’s where bottled mineral water comes in. Besides being the bougie choice, bottled water in its purest form guarantees consistency. You know exactly what you’re getting, and it’s devoid of funky flavors or odors.

But let’s be real, bottled water can also drain your pocket. And let’s not forget about the environmental impact; many brands use plastic bottles which lead to plastic waste.

So, what’s the deal? Which of the two is the best water for brewing coffee?

Here’s the skinny: if your tap water tastes good and doesn’t have funk, save your cash and use that. Especially if you have a tap-mounted filter or inbuilt filter in your coffee machine. But if you’re in a hard water area, you might wanna consider bottled water.

I recommend getting yourself a water testing kit to find out the kind of water you have. It identifies the presence of hard minerals, such as calcium and magnesium. It also picks up on chemicals including chlorides and sulfates, microbes and dissolved solids, as well as your water’s pH. At the end of the day, it’s all about what makes the best coffee.

What’s the Best Water for Drip Coffee?

When it comes to drip coffee, the water you use can make or break your cup of joe.

The best water for coffee, in this instance, is spring water. It’s got the right balance of minerals to make your coffee sing. Plus, it’s clean, so you’re not adding funky flavors or odors to your brew. If you can’t swing spring water, filtered tap or bottled mineral water is your next best option.

Crucially, if your drip coffee maker doesn’t come with one, grab a decent water filter pitcher (Brita or Pur is good). Alternatively, install a tap-mounted or under-sink water filter system. It’ll strip out the nasties and leave you with clean, crisp water for the perfect brew.

What about distilled or soft water? No bueno! They might seem “pure,” but they won’t brew the best coffee due to a lack of mineral content. Remember, it’s all about getting the hardness to alkalinity ratio right. This way, you’ll achieve the extraction you need for better coffee.

What’s the Best Water for Espresso?

To brew the perfect espresso, the water you choose really matters. First off, you want water with a sweet spot of 50-175 ppm TDS. Too high, and your espresso will taste like you licked a penny. Too low, and it’ll be flat and lackluster.

So, what’s the secret sauce? Spring water! It’s got just the right balance of minerals to make your espresso sing. And it won’t mess up your brewing equipment. But hold up, not all spring water is equal. Look for brands that hit that 50-175 ppm TDS mark.

If you’re feeling fancy (and let’s face it, we coffee people often do), invest in a reverse osmosis water system with remineralization. This adds back the beneficial minerals responsible for optimal extraction.

And for the love of all things caffeinated, please do not use drinking water from a tap. It’s picked up all sorts of nasties and will leach minerals from your pipes. This’ll not only mess up your coffee’s final flavor but also your espresso machine.

Bottom line? Choose quality water, and your espresso will return the favor. Stick to spring, bottled mineral water or reverse osmosis water. Better still, opt for alkaline water, which balances the acidity of concentrated espresso.

Best Water Filters for Brewing Coffee

In most cases, water filtration systems give you the best water for coffee. They are especially useful if you’re eco-conscious and not into buying bottled water. They also make economic sense in the long run.

So, which are the best water filtration systems for coffee brewing? Here’s the lowdown on the best water filters to elevate your coffee from meh to mind-blowing.

Reverse Osmosis Systems

These bad boys are the heavyweight champs of water filtration. They strip out practically everything from your water, including chlorine, heavy metals and hard minerals. The result? Ultra-pure RO water, free from all the off-flavors, odors and harshness prevalent in unfiltered tap water.

But here’s the kicker: With RO water, you must add minerals back. Otherwise, your coffee will taste flat. The key is to look for RO water systems with a remineralization stage, and you’ll be good to go.

Ion Exchange Systems

An ion exchanger is another useful water filtration system for coffee making. It tackles the mineral buildup in your water, swapping out hard minerals like calcium and magnesium for softer ones like sodium or hydrogen.

This not only prevents limescale build-up in your coffee equipment, keeping it in top shape longer, but also balances the water’s pH level. As a result, the flavor profile of your coffee improves. You end up with a smoother, more consistent brew that lets the true taste of single-origin coffee beans shine through.

Activated Carbon Filtration

Carbon filtration systems filters use activated charcoal to trap contaminants, such as chlorine, volatile organic compounds (VOCs) and other impurities. The result is clean coffee water free from funky odors or tastes.

By removing these unwanted elements, these filters also ensure the true profile of your regular or espresso coffee beans comes through. Plus, they’re simple and cost-effective.

Brands like Brita or PUR are solid choices for the average coffee. They remove chlorine, some minerals and funky odors from tap water without the need for expensive upgrades.

But if you really want to level up, check out Peak Water filter jugs. These are recyclable carbon filtration water filters with dual-ion resins. As such, they can handle a variety of tap water conditions. And they let you dial in your water’s mineral content like you would when tweaking a fancy espresso machine. How cool is that?

Ultraviolet Systems

Ultraviolet (UV) water filters are a powerhouse for ensuring your coffee making is as pure and safe as it gets. These filters use UV light to zap bacteria, viruses and other microbes that could be lurking in your water. They provide an extra layer of protection that standard filters might miss.

As such, your brewing water isn’t just clean but microbiologically safe.

UV filters also don’t alter the mineral content of your water. You still get that optimal mineral balance that enhances the taste of your coffee and safeguards your brewing equipment.

Whole House Systems

If you’re going all in (and I do mean ALL in), a whole-house filtration system like Aquasana is the way to go. These setups filter all the water in your home, so you’re always brewing with the good stuff no matter which tap you use.

The downside is, they’re not cheap. But for the truly coffee-obsessed, they’re a life-long investment, like having a personal water sommelier on call 24/7. To me, these water filtration systems are the ultimate choice if you own your home and want a long-term solution for your brewing needs.

What About Third Wave Water?

“Third Wave Water? I’ve heard of third wave coffee and other coffee waves, but Third Wave Water?” I can imagine your incredulity, but hear me out. It may sound a little OCD but when coming up with Third Wave Water, coffee nerds took a hard look at what makes the best water for coffee.

Unlike standard water filters, this product focuses on optimizing water for coffee brewing.

Third Wave Water comes in packets. All you need to do is dump one into a gallon of distilled water and give it a shake before using. It literally is the Goldilocks of coffee water – not too hard, not too soft, but just right. No wonder it had the billionaires on Shark Tank all excited!

Why else is this stuff making waves? It’s all about consistency. No matter where you are – from the Big Apple to LA – you can brew a perfect cup. No need to worry about hard or soft water.

Plus, it’s a lifesaver for those with funky tap water. It not only eliminates impurities but protects your coffee equipment from damaging limescale.

In all reality, Third Wave Water is for true coffee geeks. It serves those who can tell the difference between the coffee beans’ origins and flavor profiles, roast profiles and brewing methods.

If that’s you, have at it! Your expert knowledge will help you choose the right Third Wave Water for your brew. For the rest of us, we’re probably just fine with some good-quality filtered water.

Final Thoughts on the Best Water for Coffee

Wrapping up, the journey to coffee perfection doesn’t end with premium coffee beans and state-of-the-art equipment. The often-overlooked hero, water, plays a starring role in your daily brew.

Great coffee is 98 percent water, so don’t skimp on the wet stuff. Ideally, the best water for coffee is free of contaminants, has a balanced mineral content and has a slightly alkaline pH. These factors will ensure you get excellent coffee no matter how you brew.

And another thing, don’t forget to experiment. Try different filters or additives when making coffee until you find the one that makes your favorite beans sing. Happy brewing!

Best Water for Coffee FAQ