What Is The Ideal Coffee Temperature For Brewing
A crucial part of creating the perfect cup is sticking to the ideal coffee temperature for brewing. As a coffee enthusiast, nothing would be more embarrassing than inviting my friends over for a cup of my famous home-brewed coffee, only to have them tell me that my coffee is too bitter for their liking.
The ideal water temperature for brewing coffee is between 195°F and 205°F, according to the National Coffee Association. This temperature range is perfect for brewing coffee using various brewing methods, such as a French press or a pour-over method.
To conquer your dreams of becoming a master at coffee brewing, you not only need to know the different types of roasts and ground sizes, but you will need to master the ideal water temperature for brewing. Knowing this simple range of temperatures will significantly help create the perfect cup.
The Ideal Coffee Temperature for Brewing
Ensuring that your water is at the correct temperature is one of the most crucial aspects of creating the perfect cup of coffee. The reason for this is that water temperature can affect the rate of extraction, which can alter the flavor of your coffee.
If your water is too hot, compounds such as acids, oils, and caffeine will be extracted too quickly, leaving you with a cup of bitter coffee. Over-extraction because of too hot water is one of the main reasons your coffee does not taste as it should.
If the water you are using is too cold, however, this can lead to under-extraction, which is just as bad. If the water temperature is too cold for proper extraction, your coffee could taste sour and lack body. The only exception is coffee that is specifically brewed cold, as the extraction time is lengthened significantly, which helps improve the flavor.
The ideal coffee temperature for brewing is between 195°F and 205°F.However, this number also depends on the type of roast you are using.
The Difference In Temperature For Light And Dark Roasts
You may need to adjust the temperature marginally, depending on which kind of roast you will use.
Lighter Roasts – For lighter roasts, you may need to brew your coffee at 205-208°F, which will help speed up the extraction process. Lighter roasts are more challenging to extract, so they will need water closer to boiling point, which is 212°F.
Darker Roasts – For darker roasts, you will need to lower the temperature slightly, which will help avoid over-extraction. Darker roasts will need a water temperature of 195-200°F to help prevent any bitter flavors from emerging.
How To Check For The Ideal Brewing Temperature
There are a few gadgets and tools that you can use to check for the perfect brewing temperature.
A thermometer – By using either a traditional or laser thermometer, you will be able to check the temperature of your coffee to ensure that it is within an ideal range.
An Electric Gooseneck Kettle – This kettle is a helpful little tool to help you achieve the perfect brewing temperature. If you would like to make life even easier, you can buy a kettle with an adjustable temperature feature.
If you don’t have access to any gadgets, you can simply boil a standard kettle and wait for 30 seconds after it has boiled – this will ensure the water inside has cooled down to the 198-205°F range.
Conclusion
The ideal coffee temperature for brewing is between 195 – 205°F. If the water is too hot, this could lead to over-extraction and bitter flavors in your coffee. If the water is too cold, this will lead to under-extraction and make your coffee taste sour and without body.
