Why Your Expensive Coffee Maker Still Makes Bitter Drinks – And the $18 Natural Instant Remedy for Smooth Java
Bitter coffee might not be due to your technique, but your water, an expert warns
On a quest to brew the perfect cup of joe, your focus may understandably fall on selecting the right roasts, upgrading equipment, and refining technique over time. However, one of the most important variables is often overlooked entirely – the water itself.
Even with the best coffee makers, the mineral composition of your water can have a significant impact on flavour and aroma, and it can vary not only by location but even seasonally. That’s why serious coffee enthusiasts often turn to mineral-enhancing packets such as Third Wave Water, available from Amazon, to help ensure consistency cup after cup.
How Mineral Packets Can Drastically Improve Home Coffee
Recommended by 2x US Barista Champion Heather Parry, the Third Wave Water treatments are formulated for brewing the best tasting coffee, no matter your brew. They have everything from classic light roasts (pictured), to espresso, to dark roast, and more.
If, when you make coffee at home, it never quite tastes as it does at the coffee shop, even when using the same beans and the best non-toxic coffee makers, it may be your water to blame.
Heather explains, 'Municipal quality and mineral content can vary wildly depending on the source and geographic location, which affects the finished cup. Worse, it sometimes contains contaminants.
'In high volume cafes, business owners invest heavily in water filtration and treatment to ensure consistency and high quality, especially across multiple locations,' she notes.
Packet mineral treatments offer a fantastic alternative to these industrial systems. When using the best home water filters to treat distilled water (available at Walmart), mineral packets 'add back' key minerals in just the right amounts for the resulting brew.
It is worth noting that for most of the US, water from your faucet is usually safe to drink and safe for use in coffee machines. That being said, a study by the Environmental Working Group found evidence of several pollutants across the country that may affect your coffee, but most importantly, your health. As a result, they have put together an EWG tap water checker for you to check your local zip-code supply.
Switching to treated water, such as distilled or filtered, and adding mineral packets is a great way to be on the safe side when it comes to both your body and your appliances.
It is quick, simple, and contaminant-free. Plus, this method of brewing is a fantastic way to prevent limescale, prolonging its lifespan, preserving taste, and making cleaning a coffee maker more streamlined. What's not to love?
What to Shop
'Third Wave Water is one such product we recommend,' Heather shares. 'Home brewers can add it to distilled or reverse osmosis water to create water that perfectly fits within the Specialty Coffee Association's (SCA) guidelines for improved flavor, ideal for home coffee preparation.'
We’ve selected some of their most popular formulations, along with a few additional accessories, to help you achieve a consistently café-quality brew at home.
All prices were correct at the time of publication.
This Espresso Machine Profile is specially engineered to protect your espresso machine’s boiler while delivering exceptional espresso shots with rich crema, balanced acidity, and enhanced sweetness.
The Cold Brew Profile is specially designed to enhance the signature tasting notes of cold brew, bringing out rich chocolate, deep molasses, and a velvety, creamy body while significantly reducing acidity.
The Medium Roast Profile is scientifically designed to enhance the rich, balanced flavors of medium roast coffee beans, reducing bitterness and elevating sweetness.
The Airscape containers have been designed specifically to force out air and preserve the contents for longer, keeping coffee beans fresh.
Rechargeable and with two speed settings, this NanoFoamer whips up perfectly silky milk in just 30-seconds when making coffee at home, allowing you to enjoy premium barista-grade coffee whenever you are.
These matching glass bottles come with precision pumps for easy and consistent syrup dispensing for consistent tasting coffee. They also come with labels to fully personalize your setup.
Meet the Expert
Heather Perry is a 2x US Barista champion, former President of the Specialty Coffee Association, and CEO of Klatch Coffee, a Southern California coffee roaster. Klatch also operates 12 cafe locations across Southern California.
if you coffee still doesn't taste quite right, brush up on how to choose coffee beans to refine your selection and ensure you are using the correct roast for every brewing method.
Love the latest product news and helpful shopping advice? Sign up for our newsletter and get the latest features delivered straight to your inbox.
