Hand-brewed coffee: the subtlety and importance of water temperature

In hand-poured coffee, the subtlety and attention to detail of water temperature is crucial. The water temperature directly affects the taste and aroma of coffee and is a key factor in the brewing process. The appropriate water temperature can fully extract the delicate flavor of coffee, making the coffee more mellow and fragrant. Controlling water temperature requires care and experience. Different coffee beans and grinding degrees require different water temperatures for extraction. Mastering the water temperature technique is the key to becoming an excellent hand-poured barista.

In the world of coffee, hand-brewed coffee has become the first choice of many coffee lovers with its unique charm. In the process of hand-brewed coffee, the choice of water temperature often directly affects the taste and quality of coffee. What is the appropriate water temperature for hand-brewed coffee? Let's discuss this issue together.

1. The importance of water temperature

In the process of hand-brewed coffee, the water temperature not only affects the extraction speed of the coffee powder, but is also directly related to the flavor of the coffee. Too high or too low water temperature will cause the taste of the coffee to be unbalanced. Choosing the right water temperature is crucial to making a good cup of hand-brewed coffee.

2. Effect of water temperature on extraction

1. Water temperature and extraction speed : The higher the water temperature, the faster the extraction speed is usually. This is because high temperature can increase the movement speed of water molecules, thereby accelerating the dissolution of soluble substances in coffee powder.

2. Water temperature and flavor : Different water temperatures can cause coffee to exhibit different flavor characteristics. Slightly lower water temperature can highlight the acidity and fineness of the coffee, while higher water temperature may bring a richer and mellower taste.

3. Suitable water temperature range

What is the specific range of water temperature for hand-brewed coffee? There is no fixed answer, because different coffee beans, different roasting degrees and personal taste preferences will have different requirements for water temperature.

The recommended water temperature range is between 88-94 degrees Celsius. For most medium-dark roasted coffee beans, 90-92 degrees Celsius is a more suitable water temperature range, while lightly roasted or high-acid coffee beans may require a slightly lower water temperature, around 88-90 degrees Celsius. This is just a rough reference range, and the specific water temperature needs to be adjusted according to personal taste.

4. How to adjust the water temperature

1. Use a thermometer : The most accurate way is to use a thermometer to measure the water temperature. You can choose a dedicated coffee thermometer to ensure that your brewing water temperature is accurately controlled.

2. Observation method : If there is no thermometer, you can observe the water vapor to roughly judge the water temperature. If the water vapor is relatively stable and there are not too many small bubbles, then the water temperature is more suitable.

3. Accumulation of experience : As experience accumulates, you will gradually become familiar with the taste of coffee made at different water temperatures, and thus control the water temperature more accurately.

V. Other influencing factors

In addition to water temperature, the quality of hand-brewed coffee is also affected by many other factors, such as the choice of coffee beans, roasting degree, grinding degree, powder-water ratio, brewing techniques, etc. While discussing water temperature, we cannot ignore the impact of these factors.

There is no fixed standard answer to the water temperature for hand-brewed coffee. The appropriate water temperature depends on the characteristics of the coffee beans, the degree of roasting, and personal taste preferences. We can find the most suitable water temperature for hand-brewed coffee through experiments and trials. In this process, we can not only make delicious coffee, but also enjoy the fun and sense of accomplishment that hand-brewed coffee brings.