E3: Coffee Smarter - The Impact of Water on Coffee Part Two
Coffee Smarter with Chris O'Brien of Coffee Cycle Roasting
Coffee Smarter with Chris O'Brien of Coffee Cycle Roasting
Filtered water is better than tap water when you’re making your cup of coffee.

There are already minerals in the water that are competing with the coffee grinds for space. They have to coexist in a given amount of water. Filtering out unwanted minerals that come with their own flavors will help you create a cup of coffee that is more reflective of the coffee bean you’re buying.
The temperature of the water matters. Brewing coffee with water ranging between 194 and 208 degrees is ideal. Brewing above 208 is debated by various coffee and water experts. It can be helpful to test your water temperature with a simple thermometer.
Generally, good coffees will probably be alright, even good, but bad coffees will be made worse because the extra high temperature will lead to the extraction of some bad tasting flavors.
The most important thing about any cup of coffee is, did you like it?
Water can be as complicated or not complicated as you want. If you want to get really complicated, download the Specialty Coffee Association of America Water Standards PDF here.
Chris mentioned a book, “Water for Coffee,” that digs much deeper into the proverbial woods when it comes to the science of water. You can find more info here: Water For Coffee on Goodreads.
Third Wave Water make’s mineral packets that you can add to water to create water tailored specifically to your cup of coffee.

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We visit with the guests of CoffeeFest NYC as part of the Roastar coffee packaging booth in March 2026. This episode features Megan Kanzler, Founder of Olive Ridley Studios, a branding and creative agency for small-businesses.
We visit with the guests of CoffeeFest NYC as part of the Roastar coffee packaging booth in March 2026. Featuring John Wilt, Brianna Stefano, and Miguel Flores Burgos.
We visit with the guests of CoffeeFest NYC as part of the Roastar coffee packaging booth in March 2026.
Check out our World of Coffee free coffee giveaway collaboration with Roastar Coffee Packaging, featuring Coffee Santa