Coffee Basics: The Importance of Good Water

Using The Best Coffee Pods and Brewer Isn't Enough For A Truly Excellent Cup of Coffee. Find Out Why Using The Right Water Matters!

As I’ve said before, a great cup of coffee requires excellence at every step of the process. Yes, the coffee, grind and brew method are incredibly important when making your morning cup, but it doesn’t stop there. Many overlook arguably the most impactful component of your coffee, the water itself. Here is why getting the water right matters and what you can do to ensure that you get the most out of your coffee.

Why Is Water Important?

Coffee is 98% water, and therefore the water you use plays a major role in what you taste. Not all water is equal. Your tap water is not my tap water, and the bottled stuff is all very different from one another. If you just take water from your sink, throw it into your coffee machine and expect a great cup, you are playing with fire. Each state, town, and even household has a different water composition. What I mean by this is water has a certain amount of dissolved substances (called TDS, total dissolved solids) that is unique and determines its ability to make great coffee. Much of the US has incredibly hard water, meaning it has a lot of minerals and sediment (high TDS) that can not only impact the taste of your coffee but can also cause long-term damage to your coffee machine.

What is the Best Water for My Coffee?

According to the Specialty Coffee Association of America, the TDS of water for brewing coffee should be between 75-250ppm (parts per million) with ideal right in the middle around 150ppm. This might sound super scientific, but if you really want to geek out, you can buy a TDS meter for under $20 to easily see exactly where your water falls on this spectrum.

You might also be thinking, don’t you want the lowest TDS possible in your water? The quick answer is not really. After much scientific evaluation, the consensus is some of these dissolved substances are actually needed to enhance the taste of your coffee, but too much can compromise the cup entirely. If you go to a few specialty coffee shops, they will each have their own specific TDS range that they feel delivers the best coffee. This is where art meets science.

If you don’t have a fancy reverse osmosis filtration system at home but want to use the best water for your coffee, I would recommend doing a little research on the various brands of bottled water you have available. Generally speaking, purified waters will have the lowest TDS, which sometimes might be lower than desired, while spring waters can often times have large mineral deposits that might make them unfit for coffee brewing. With a simple Google search, you should be able to find a few options within the ideal TDS range you’re looking for.

How Does Bruvi® Solve for Water Quality?

Again, convenience is the name of the game here at Bruvi®! While we know you now care at least a little more about the water you are using in your coffee, it might feel like a big ask to expect everyone to start buying water. With consumer behaviors in mind, we made it easy to ensure you’re using great water in your coffee without even thinking about it. With the Bruvi BV-01 Brewer, the water tank has a sophisticated filtration device that will ensure your water is fit for brewing. As long as you stay on top of replacing the filter as required, you can leave the water to us. Another way Bruvi makes your life easier and your coffee better!