When making coffee, what is the appropriate water temperature?

When brewing coffee, the water temperature is crucial. The right water temperature allows the coffee's aroma and flavor to be fully extracted. Water that is too hot may make the coffee too bitter, while water that is too cold may leave an astringent taste. Professional baristas recommend using hot water between 90 and 94 degrees Celsius, but the water temperature should be adjusted accordingly depending on the type of coffee beans and personal taste preferences. When brewing coffee, choosing the right water temperature is key to ensure the coffee's taste and aroma are at their best.

In the busy city life, coffee has become an indispensable refreshing drink for almost every office worker, but do you know that the water temperature when making coffee has a crucial impact on the taste of coffee? What is the best water temperature for making coffee? Let's discuss this issue together today!

Let us first understand why water temperature is so important for brewing coffee. The soluble substances in coffee powder, such as caffeine, acid, sugar and oil, will dissolve under the action of water, and this process is affected by temperature. If the temperature is too low, the extraction efficiency will be reduced and the coffee will taste bland; if the temperature is too high, some aromatic substances may volatilize, causing the coffee to lose its original flavor.

Different coffee beans have different optimal brewing temperatures. Medium-roasted coffee beans are suitable for brewing with water temperatures of 88℃-92℃. Deep-roasted coffee beans have a higher heat resistance, so they can be brewed with slightly higher water temperatures, but the maximum should not exceed 96℃. This is just a rough range, and the specific temperature needs to be adjusted according to personal taste and preference.

How to judge the temperature of water? Many people may use a thermometer to measure accurately, but for ordinary families, this seems a bit too cumbersome. We can judge the water temperature by observing the water flow. When water drops on the edge of the coffee cup, if the water drops continuously in the form of small beads, then the water temperature is almost within the appropriate range.

In addition to water temperature, soaking time is also a key factor. Too short a soaking time will result in insufficient coffee flavor, while too long a soaking time will cause excessive bitterness. Medium-fine ground coffee powder can be soaked in water at 90℃-94℃ for about two to three minutes to achieve the ideal taste effect. Of course, the specific soaking time also needs to be adjusted according to the degree of grinding of the coffee beans and personal taste.

Different brewing methods also have requirements for water temperature. When using a hand-brew kettle, the water temperature needs to be strictly controlled; using an automatic coffee machine is relatively simpler, just follow the instructions of the machine, but no matter which method you use, you need to ensure that the water temperature is suitable to make a good cup of coffee.

In addition to the factors mentioned above, there are some details that need to be paid attention to, such as minimizing air contact during the brewing process to prevent oxidation from affecting the taste of the coffee, enjoying it in time, and avoiding excessive cooling. These details may seem small but can greatly affect the final taste and quality of the coffee.

In general, brewing coffee seems simple but contains a lot of knowledge. Only by mastering the appropriate water temperature and brewing techniques can you brew a cup of good coffee with a mellow taste and overflowing aroma. In this process, we might as well try more and experience more to find the cup of coffee that suits us best!