Buy a water filter – the right water for your coffee

Water is one of the most often neglected factors for really good coffee. However, which water you use makes a big difference. Makes sense too – after all, your brewed coffee consists mainly of water. Even with espresso it is around 90 percent. Buying a suitable water filter is often advisable. But what exactly do I have to pay attention to when it comes to water? Let's look at that now.

The mineral content in your water affects the taste of your coffee. Mainly it's about the positively charged minerals such as calcium and magnesium as well as the negatively charged carbonates and sulfates. Have you ever looked at two bottles of mineral water? The values ​​can vary relatively significantly here. In general, the more minerals are dissolved in the water, the more substances will be released from your coffee during the brewing process. The more carbonates and sulfates there are in water, the more acidic compounds are neutralized. However, that doesn't mean more is better. Too high a calcium or magnesium content results in a harsh, unbalanced coffee. Too many carbonates and sulfates and your coffee tastes bland. Buying a water filter can make all the difference here.

First of all, the all-clear: you don't have to have studied chemistry to find the right water for your espresso. For most people, just going to the tap is enough.
In most cases it is enough to run the water from the tap through a suitable water filter. A filter is highly recommended, especially in large cities or areas with “hard” water. Here you can buy water filters from Brita or BWT, for example. You can also use filter sachets from OSCAR, which you place in the water tank of your machine. In most cases, the filters not only improve your coffee, but also protect coffee machines. Hard water can cause a lot of limescale to build up in your machine. This attacks cables and pipes. It can also happen that larger pieces come loose and clog your machine. You realize that buying a water filter is worth it. Which water filter you use is less important. Would you like to take your espresso to a whole new level? In the book “How To Make The Best Coffee At Home,” James Hoffmann explains in detail how to check the mineral content of your water and when it’s worth using additives like Third Wave Water.