The key to adjusting the water temperature for brewing coffee

The Effect of Water Temperature on Coffee Brewing

Coffee is a popular drink, and brewing a good cup of coffee requires many skills. Among them, water temperature is one of the key factors in adjusting the taste and flavor of coffee. This article will discuss the effects of different water temperatures on coffee extraction, taste and aroma.

Brewing at low temperature

Brewing coffee at low temperatures (below 60°C) can prolong the extraction time and make the acidity more prominent. This is because low temperatures slow down the chemical reaction rate, making it difficult for acidic substances to be completely dissolved in a short period of time. In addition, the bitterness extracted at low temperatures is relatively less and is more easily accepted by the human body.

Brewing at medium temperature

Moderate water temperature (70-85°C) is the range most people choose when brewing coffee. This range can fully stimulate the various compounds in the coffee beans and maintain a good flat-fading curve, that is, the sour taste comes first, followed by sweetness and bitterness. In addition, brewing at a medium temperature can also retain the aroma substances in the coffee beans, making the coffee more fragrant.

Brewing at high temperature

Coffee brewed at high temperatures (above 90°C) usually has a strong and bitter taste. This is because high temperatures accelerate the rate of chemical reactions, causing acidic substances to dissolve quickly and extracting more bitter substances. Although high temperatures can extract more caffeine and other beneficial ingredients, overheating may also destroy the structure of some complex compounds in coffee beans, thus affecting the flavor.

Water temperature adjustment tips

Choose the right water temperature for brewing based on your personal taste preferences and the type of coffee beans you use. If you want to highlight the acidity and aroma, you can choose a lower water temperature; if you like a flat-fading curve and want to take into account a variety of flavors, you can choose a medium water temperature; and for those who like a strong taste and bitter characteristics, you can try using a higher water temperature.

Summarize

Water temperature is one of the important factors in adjusting the effect of coffee brewing. Coffee brewed at low temperatures has a prominent acidity and less bitterness; brewing at medium temperatures can take into account various flavors and aromas; while high temperatures will extract more acidic and bitter substances, but may also affect the flavor. Choose the right water temperature for brewing according to your personal taste preferences to get a satisfactory cup of coffee.