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Why Water Quality Makes or Breaks Your Coffee

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Water makes up 98% of your coffee, yet most people focus only on beans and brewing methods. The truth? The right water can enhance flavors, while poor-quality water can flatten, distort, or ruin your cup. Let’s break down why water quality matters and how to optimize it for the perfect brew.

How Minerals & pH Affect Coffee Flavor

Water isn’t just H₂O—it contains dissolved minerals like calcium, magnesium, and sodium, which interact with coffee compounds to extract flavors. Here’s how these elements influence your cup:

  • Calcium & Magnesium → Improve extraction, bringing out sweetness and body.

  • Sodium → Can enhance perceived smoothness but should be in balance.

  • Bicarbonates → Too much can mute acidity and make coffee taste flat.

  • pH Level → The ideal range is 6.5 to 7.5—too acidic or too alkaline can create off-flavors.

Comparing Tap Water & Filtered Water

Water Type

Pros

Cons

Tap Water

Easily available, inexpensive

May contain chlorine, high bicarbonates, or excessive minerals that alter flavor

Filtered Water

Removes chlorine and some minerals, improves taste

May strip out too many minerals if over-filtered

What About Specialty Coffee Water?

Some coffee professionals and enthusiasts use specialty coffee water (), which is designed with a precise balance of minerals to enhance extraction. This can come in the form of pre-packaged mineral blends (like Third Wave Water) or liquid drops added to distilled water. While these can be great for consistency, we at The Bean Explorer achieve excellent results with good filtered water.

What’s the Best Water for Coffee?

  • If your tap water tastes bad on its own, it won’t make good coffee.

  • A basic water filter (like Brita) can help remove chlorine and improve taste.

  • If you want to take it a step further, experimenting with mineral-enhanced coffee water could elevate your brew.

Final Thoughts

Water is the silent hero of great coffee. Small tweaks—like filtering your water or using the right mineral balance—can elevate your brew and unlock flavors you never knew existed.

Vienna’s Tap Water is Coffee Gold 

If you're in Vienna, you're in luck! The city’s tap water comes from Alpine springs and is naturally rich in the right minerals for brewing excellent coffee. Visit us and try: Vienna, Nashmarkt, every Saturday from 6:00 to 16:00

Want to taste coffee at its best? Try our specialty beans, roasted to perfection, and pair them with the right water and our great kettle for the ultimate experience.



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