We are sure that everyone has at least once seen those bright flashing signs saying “Piping Hot Coffee.” However, there is a very important question. Is piping hot water is indeed the best option when it comes to coffee?
While most people believe that coffee should be scalding, it is a huge mistake. The coffee that can sign your taste buds is not the best option. But then, what is the best Temperature for coffee?
In this article, we will tell you everything you need to know about coffee temperature. It is a known fact that caffeine makes you happier, so why not make yourself even happier by enjoying a delicious cup of coffee? However, if you really like coffee and want to enjoy a perfect cup of this great drink, you need to pay special attention to the Brewing water temperature as well as the temperature of the coffee itself.
If the temperature of your coffee is too high or too low, there is a small chance that you will be able to enjoy a tasty cup of this drink. To learn more about perfect coffee temperature, keep reading and we will share all the secrets with you.
Why Should You Pay Attention to Coffee Temperature
Black coffee consumption is positive during fasting as coffee and tea boost your metabolism, but there is no way to brew some coffee without water. It is water that helps extract aroma and flavor from coffee beans and create this delicious drink.
The temperature of the water is one of the essential aspects of the brewing process. If you use too cold water, you will get an under-extracted cup of coffee with a fragile and rather sour flavor. At the same time, too hot water results in an over-extracted coffee with a strong bitter taste.
Of course, there is cold brew, but that’s a different story as the process itself is designed to get rich, full-bodied coffee even while using cold water that doesn’t require any special preparation. That is why we mainly focus on hot brew water temperature.
Benefits of Ideal Coffee Temperature
Consistency
Using the ideal water temperature, you can be sure that your brew is consistent each time. In addition, it helps to maintain the quality of your coffee.
Perfect Flavor
Using ideal water temperature, you can be sure that it will extract all the flavor of your coffee beans and provide you with a rich taste and aroma, especially if you are using fresh Costa Rican coffee beans.
Efficiency
You need to decide on your ideal coffee temperature only once and follow the same steps each time you brew coffee. It can save you lots of time and effort.
How Water Temperature Affects Coffee Extraction
Want to find out how too hot or too cold water can ruin your coffee? It is vital to understand how water temperature affects your coffee to get a perfect cup of this drink.
When using too hot water, you will get over-extracted coffee. On the other hand, boiling water makes coffee beans release flavor and aroma faster and more intensively. As a result, your coffee becomes very bitter with an unpleasant aroma. That is why very important to control the temperature of the water during the brewing process.
You for sure should need to avoid overboiled water. It happens when the water is boiled for longer than it should be. In this case, the water loses more oxygen than necessary, which results in a low-quality brew with a very bitter taste.
At the same time, cold water has absolutely the opposite effect as it makes the brewing process significantly slowlier. As a result, you will get a very weak brew with subtle flavor and significant sourness. It happens because cold water doesn’t allow to extract the aroma and flavor of coffee beans properly.
3 Approaches to Ideal Coffee Brewing Temperature
Speaking of the perfect brewing temperature, there are three main points of view regarding this issue. We will tell you about each of them so you can decide which one is better for you.
Use Boiling Water
The hotter water you use, the better flavor and aroma extraction you can expect. Hot water is a significantly better solvent than warm water.
One other benefit of using boiling water is that it can grant you some consistency. You don’t need to use a thermocouple or any other special device to measure water temperature, as it will be pretty much the same every time you need it. You can easily replicate those brews that you like and fix those that were unsuccessful.
There Is One Perfect Brewing Temperature
There is an old-school approach to the issue. According to this approach, there is one particular temperature that is the best for coffee brewing. If you feel like following this way of thinking, you need to opt for a 200 °F or 93.33 °C.
People who support this approach are sure that very hot water can easily burn coffee beans. To avoid it, you need to lower the temperature by several degrees.
There is no scientific proof for this approach; however, you can expect a rather consistent brew each time using the water of the same temperature. At the same time, it can be hard to get the water at the right temperature and you may need to use one of those kettles with a temperature regulation feature. Just keep in mind that such kettles tend to be pretty expensive.
Adjusting Temperature According to Brew Type and Beans
This approach is based on determining water temperature depending on the type of beans, the degree of the roast, and the brewing method.
Different coffee beans have different origins, growing conditions, and roast degrees that influence how they can be extracted. For example, more dense types of coffee beans tend to be harder to extract. It means that you need to use a more effective solvent.
It is better to use almost boiling water when it comes to light roast beans because they are harder to extract. However, it means that you may require some extra help to extract them, so it is better to give preference to a higher temperature. Speaking of medium or world’s best dark roast coffee like finely ground coffee Bustelo, 200°F/93°C or even lower should be absolutely enough to brew your coffee. At the same time, boiling water may result in a bitter brew.
Ideal Water Temperature for Coffee Brewing
French Press
To brew some coffee with a French press, you need to use a coarse grind, and also, more time is required for the process itself. Considering this fact, 200°F water is a perfect option. To get this result, take the water off as soon as it starts boiling and let it sit for about 30 seconds.
Pour-Over Coffee
Using the premium pour-over kettle with metal mesh or paper filter with a light roast, you should opt for a higher temperature. However, if you use a dark roast, you should consider using 200°F water. Also, to reduce heat loss, you should consider preheating the utensils.
Aeropress
Speaking of Aeropress, the temperature of the water significantly depends on the brewing time. If you prefer a typical brewing time, you can use 200°F water. However, for extended brewing time and slowlier press, 170°F water is a better option.
Espresso
Usually, espresso machines preheat water automatically, so you don’t have many options to choose from. However, some of those devices allow you to control the temperature. In this case, you can experiment a little to find your perfect brewing temperature depending on the type of coffee beans and roast types.
Cold Brew
Speaking of the refreshing cold brew or iced coffee, there are no strict rules. For brewing delicious flavored coffee, you need to use water that is not hot to brew your coffee. Some people use ambient temperature water, while others give preference to cold or even ice water.
It is up to you which option to choose, but if you aren’t sure, it is a good idea to try different options to decide which one suits your needs most of all as it has a great impact on the flavor of your coffee.
Ideal Temperature to Drink Coffee
As soon as you decided on the brewing temperature, it is time to think about the best temperature to drink your coffee. When it comes to brewing, the temperature range is pretty tight, but serving temperature gives you much more options to choose from.
175°F-180°F
There is a tiny or even no chance that you will enjoy a cup of coffee that has a serving temperature higher than 175°F. The reason is straightforward, it is too hot to taste any flavor and you will only burn your taste buds instead of enjoying your coffee.
The only reasonable situation when you can order some really hot coffee is when you aren’t going to drink it right away. In this case, it will reach the right temperature when you are ready to drink it.
155°F-175°F
This temperature range is perfect for those who like a steaming cup of coffee that can easily warm you up. However, most experts believe that it is still too hot to enjoy coffee and taste properly.
When serving coffee at 155°F-175°F, you will likely feel its temperature but not its flavor. However, it can be a good option when it is cold and you are looking for something to warm you up, especially in cases when you buy some take-out coffee on your way to work or while walking.
140°F-155°F
This range of water temperature allows you to experience the whole richness of your coffee and at the same time, it will not be cold.
In other words, it is a perfect temperature to enjoy a tasty cup of coffee and feel all the notes of your coffee flavor. To achieve this perfect temperature, you need to let your cup of coffee sit for some time.
120°F – 140°F
If you want to try a new roast or beans type and want to have an opportunity to distinguish even subtle flavor notes, you should consider letting your coffee cool down even more. However, most people don’t like this temperature range as the coffee tends to be not so warming as they like.
However, the truth is that this temperature can still provide you with a warm enough cup of coffee and allows feeling more flavor. It is a perfect option for people who want to feel the whole spectrum of flavors offered by their coffee. Just keep in mind that it is better to use high-quality coffee for this temperature range as you can experience the good and the bad.
Below 120°F
This option is absolutely perfect if you want to experience as much flavor of your coffee as even possible. Experts claim that this temperature is absolutely ideal for enjoying the whole richness of the coffee. However, most people prefer a little bit higher temperature.
If you don’t feel like drinking some lukewarm coffee, you can always turn it into a tasty cup of iced coffee. Just keep in mind that it is not the best idea to reheat your coffee as it can make it more bitter and even somehow burnt.
Brewing Temperature vs Serving Temperature
As you may already suggest, there is a huge difference between brewing and serving temperature when it comes to coffee. Actually, it is two completely different things.
Most experts claim that the perfect brewing temperature is around 195–205°F. It is high enough to extract as much flavor as possible from coffee while not burning it. However, when it comes to serving temperature, it significantly depends on your preferences. There is only one rule, serving temperature should be lower than brewing temperature.
The only exception is a cold brew that requires some cold water for the brewing process. In this case, brewing and serving temperature may be the same or almost the same.
Do’s and Don’ts With Coffee Temperature
Of course, there are some standards for coffee temperature, but still, it is up to you to decide which brewing and serving temperatures are perfect for you. First, however, you may consider some of the tips below.
Do’s
- Do consider the type of beans and roast when choosing to brew temperature;
- Do experiment to find your perfect brewing and serving temperature;
- Do consider altitude when choosing the brewing temperature;
- Do make sure to avoid too hot water in order not to burn your coffee.
Don’ts
- Don’t drink your coffee when it’s too hot;
- Don’t forget to consider your brewing method;
- Don’t be afraid to experiment and try something new;
- Don’t reheat your coffee.
Quick Tips to Always Use the Right Temperature
Find Your Elevation
As we mentioned before, the elevation of where you live is significant for coffee brewing. The point is that at a higher altitude, coffee can be extracted easier and faster. In addition, it means that the higher the elevation of where you live, the lower brewing temperature is required.
Get a Thermometer
It is a good idea to use a thermometer to measure water temperature when brewing your coffee. First of all, it will let you avoid burning coffee. Secondly, in such a way, you can make sure that each cup of brewed coffee will taste the same because you can be sure that the brewing temperature is always the same.
Do the Same Thing Every Day
If you already found your perfect brewing temperature and method to maintain the same quality of your coffee every day, you need to repeat the same steps each time you brew it. Use the same water temperature and brewing method; make all those steps your daily ritual.
FAQ About Ideal Coffee Temperature
What happens if you brew coffee at the wrong temperature?
If you use water that is too cold, be ready that your coffee will have a flat, under-extracted flavor. At the same, too hot water will result in bitter taste and loss of beans quality, so you will not enjoy the full richness of your coffee.
How hot does a coffee maker heat water?
Most automatic coffee makers and brewers like inexpensive pod-based Keurig 2.0 or espresso machines are set up for the standard brewing temperature range. It means that you can expect the brewing temperature 195 to 205 degrees Fahrenheit.
How long does it take for coffee to cool down?
It depends on the difference between brewing temperature and serving temperature you want to achieve. For example, if you want to make your coffee cool down faster, you can serve it in a metal cup. Also, you can add some cold milk or ice.
What temperature is coffee served at Starbucks?
According to the information provided in the resource manual, the standard serving temperature for hot drinks in Starbucks ranges between 150 and 170 degrees. The only exception is Americano. Also, Children’s drinks have a lower temperature that is 130 degrees.
Conclusion
As you can see, the coffee temperature is critical, especially if you want to get a consistent brew that can provide you with the whole richness and quality of your coffee beans. So you need to decide on your perfect brewing and serving temperature to enjoy a high-quality, tasty cup of coffee every day. And if you are worried about removing coffee stains from your kitchen counter after brewing it, we have some useful tips for you.
Photos from: vantuz / depositphotos.com,
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