The Ideal Water Temperature When Brewing Coffee

Water temperature matters a good cup of coffee. But it’s often overlooked by home brewers. Actually, using freshly roasted beans, choosing the right grind and brewing tools and controlling the right coffee to water ratio, all determines whether you end up a perfect cup of coffee. Here let’s talk about what’s the perfect water temperature for coffee and why water temperature matters when brewing coffee. 

The perfect water temperature when brewing coffee

According to the NCA (National Coffee Association USA), the ideal temperature for brewing coffee is 195 to 205℉(91℃-96℃）. The boiling water (212 ℉) is too hot for brewing coffee, which may cause a loss of quality in the taste of coffee. Besides, colder water (lower than 195 ℉)will also affects the taste of coffee, which causes flat and under-extracted coffee. (However things go different when making cold brew coffee.)

Why water temperature matters?

Water is a necessity to brew coffee, which draws out the flavor from the coffee grounds, or to say, extraction. Water temperature matters in the process. If the water is too hot, it may cause over extraction, leaving the coffee tasting bitter and ashy. While if the water is too cold, you may risk an under-extraction, which ends up tasting sour, weak and diluted.

But it seems difficult to control and maintain the water temperature while brewing process. If you are just boiling water on a tea kettle, you just bring it to a boil, remove it from the heat, and let it sit for about 30 seconds. Then, you will get the right temperature to brew coffee. But, in the brewing process, the water will drop at several degrees. Then, what to do to control and keep the water temperature?

1. Buy a decent thermometer to measure the water temperature for coffee. It is better for you to have 200 – 205 ℉ water, as the water temperature will drop while pouring and brewing.
2. Pre-heat the brewing vessel simply by pouring hot water in it.
3. If you are using French Press to brew coffee, you can buy an insulated one to keep the water temperature in the brewing process.