A great brewed coffee starts with this key element
While many people appreciate the concept of press, brew, enjoy, the reality is a smooth, robust coffee often comes with a more sophisticated method. From pour over to French press, other coffee brewing methods take a little more care to extract that perfect flavor. For the person who wants the best flavor from those beans, it is vital to focus on this one aspect.
A great cup of coffee is special. It does not need heaping amounts of sugar or a substantial pour of cream. That well-brewed beverage satisfies without all the extras.
When time and care is used to pick a special bean or roast, no one wants to have that food product go to waste. Just like a great bourbon needs nothing else in the glass, a great cup of coffee stands on its own.
But, one thing can ruin that flavor before the first sip hits the lips. Using the wrong temperature water will turn that coffee into a flavor disaster. Yes, water really does matter.
To be clear, no one has to consult a water sommelier to pick a specialty liquid for the brewing process. Of course, filtered water can taste better than some options straight from the tap. But, no one has to splurge on a $10 bottle to enhance the flavor.
The key to a great coffee is using the right temperature when brewing it. This scenario is key when it comes to options like pour over or even French press.
When water is too hot, the coffee will become over-extracted. Boiling water should not be used. That high temperature can make the coffee taste bitter. Everyone knows the joke about the coffee that has sat in the pot for far too long. Too much heat can turn even the best coffee beans into an unpleasant taste.
On the other hand, tepid water can be equally as bad. If the water is not hot enough, the coffee can be under-extracted. In this scenario, the flavor will be sour or just flat. No one wants a coffee that tastes non-descript.
In the end a great cup of coffee starts with the right water temperature. It might not necessarily be the Goldilocks moment of “just right,” but it is a important to be thoughtful before pouring that water over those ground beans.