Views: 589 Author: Mario Publish Time: 2024-01-05 Origin: Site
Some believe that 85 degrees Celsius is the best temperature, while many coffee manuals suggest a higher range of 92 to 96 degrees Celsius. However, the suitable brewing temperature cannot be generalized and should be determined based on specific circumstances.
Regardless of the brewing method, coffee is always brewed with water, and excessively high water temperature can lead to over-extraction, while too low a temperature may result in under-extraction. Over-extracted coffee often has unpleasant flavors, especially bitterness or even burnt taste. Under-extracted coffee tends to have a darker color and a more acidic taste. In general, lower water temperature yields a stronger acidity, while higher temperature yields a stronger bitterness.
The freshness of coffee is also an important factor in determining the water temperature. The fresher the coffee, the more flavors it contains, and thus the lower the brewing temperature should be to avoid over-extraction. Especially for freshly roasted coffee beans that are still releasing a lot of carbon dioxide, pouring water above 90 degrees Celsius can cause foaming and deteriorate the taste. It is recommended to brew at a temperature around 86 degrees Celsius.
As coffee beans age, their flavors diminish, and in such cases, a higher brewing temperature is needed because higher temperature water has stronger dissolution power and can extract more remaining flavors. For example, if coffee beans have been roasted for more than two weeks, with freshness already diminished, using water above 90 degrees Celsius is necessary to release its remaining taste and aroma. If coffee beans have been stored for three months or more after roasting, a water temperature of 96 degrees Celsius is needed for extraction.
Furthermore, different brewing methods require different water temperatures. For drip brewing with a filter paper, the optimal temperature is between 90 and 95 degrees Celsius to achieve a balanced taste. Going beyond this temperature range may introduce undesirable flavors, while a lower temperature would fail to extract the delicious components. For brewing with an espresso machine, the recommended temperature is 92 degrees Celsius.
In conclusion, water temperature varies due to the brewing equipment, coffee bean freshness, and roast level. It cannot be simply summarized with a single value. Through practical experience, we can discover the differences and find the most suitable temperature to brew our favorite flavor.
Water temperature is not only influenced by coffee bean freshness but also by roast level. Generally, dark roasts are suitable for lower or medium temperatures, around 82 to 89 degrees Celsius, while light roasts are suitable for medium or higher temperatures, around 90 to 95 degrees Celsius.
