Still Water Coffee: Why Coffee Shops Are Brewing with Mineral Water

Still Water Coffee: Exploring the Trend of Brewing Coffee with Mineral Water

A new trend has emerged in the coffee world - brewing coffee with mineral water instead of regular filtered or tap water. This unique coffee style, often called "still water coffee," claims to draw out more subtle flavors and aromas from coffee beans.

In this in-depth guide, we'll explore everything you need to know about the still water coffee phenomenon, including its history, benefits, ideal brewing methods, mineral content considerations, and more.

What Is Still Water Coffee?

Still water coffee refers to coffee made using mineral water, as opposed to brewing with filtered tap water or other water sources. Mineral water comes from natural underground reservoirs and contains dissolved mineral salts like calcium, magnesium, and potassium.

The term "still water" differentiates it from sparkling mineral water that contains carbonation. Still mineral water provides minerals without the bubbles, making it ideal for coffee brewing.

While mineral water has been popular in Europe for ages, using it for coffee has emerged more recently as high-end coffee shops experiment with water recipes to improve extraction and flavor.

How Did Still Water Coffee Get Started?

The origins of still water coffee can be traced back to pioneering third wave coffee companies like Intelligentsia and Equator Coffee. These roasters began testing how different mineral compositions in water affected coffee flavor in the early 2000s.

They found that optimizing mineral levels brought out sweeter, more nuanced tasting notes from coffee beans. This led to custom coffee mineral blends tailored for different origins and roast profiles.

As knowledge grew on how to engineer water for better tasting coffee, the trend spread across the specialty coffee scene and even into home brewing. Baristas started touting superior flavor and aroma from using mineral water over tap.

Benefits of Still Water Coffee

Why has still water coffee grown so popular? Here are some of the key benefits driving this trend:

Enhanced Flavor Complexity

The main appeal of still water coffee is heightened flavor complexity. Mineral salts are able to extract more organic compounds from coffee grounds, revealing tasting notes that regular water cannot.

Improved Balance and Sweetness

Calcium and magnesium in mineral water help reduce bitterness and acidity in coffee, bringing better balance. The right mineral levels also elicit more sugars to give a sweeter finish.

Better Body and Mouthfeel

Mineral extraction results in increased colloidal coffee particles that give coffee a richer, rounder mouthfeel. This leaves an appealing texture on the palate.

Protection Against Staleness

Minerals like bicarbonate help coffee retain fresh flavor longer after brewing by limiting oxidation and carbon dioxide loss over time.

Consistent Flavor Experience

Unlike local tap water that varies, mineral water offers standardized mineral content for reliable, predicable flavor regardless of brewing location.

In summary, still water coffee allows you to get the most nuanced, balanced, smooth flavor out of your favorite coffee beans.

Ideal Mineral Composition for Coffee

Not all mineral waters are well suited for coffee brewing. The ideal mineral levels to enhance coffee flavor are:

• Calcium: 35-75mg/L
• Magnesium: 10-30mg/L
• Bicarbonate: 40-100mg/L
• Sulfate: 25-50mg/L
• Sodium: <10mg/L
• Total Dissolved Solids: 150-250mg/L

These ranges have been shown to maximize extraction while reducing bitterness and astringency. Calcium and magnesium are especially important. Sodium should be very low to avoid saltiness.

Look for mineral water with a mineral profile close to these ideal values for brewing the best tasting still water coffee.

Choosing a Mineral Water for Coffee

With an endless array of mineral water brands available, deciding on one to use for coffee can be tricky. Here are some tips for choosing a mineral water for exemplary still water coffee:

• Check the mineral content - Ensure it aligns closely with ideal coffee levels
• Avoid sodium - Choose low or no sodium options
• Look for calcium and magnesium - These are key minerals for proper extraction and flavor
• Read the label - Select only pure mineral water with no other additives
• Consider carbonation - Most experts recommend still over sparkling water
• Try different brands - Each imparts subtle differences you can experiment with

Some popular examples of mineral water brands used for still water coffee include San Pellegrino, Gerolsteiner,Topo Chico, and Perrier.

How to Brew Still Water Coffee

You can use mineral water in virtually any manual or automatic coffee brewing method. Here are some tips for making exemplary mineral water coffee:

Adjust coffee dosage

Since mineral water extracts more from grounds, reduce coffee dosage slightly, often by 0.5-1g per 6 oz water.

Use filtered water for heating/rinsing

Only use mineral water for brewing itself. Use filtered tap water for heating and rinsing equipment.

Maintain proper temperature

Heat mineral water to 195-205F for proper extraction. Cooler temp will under-extract.

Rinse filters first

Rinse paper filters with hot tap water first to remove papery taste before brewing.

Adjust grind size slightly

Finer grind may help compensate for increased extraction from minerals.

Store water properly

Keep unused mineral water sealed and refrigerated to maintain carbonation and prevent air exposure.

Dialing in the right parameters takes some experimentation, but allows you to get the full flavor potential out of still water coffee.

Popular Brew Methods for Still Water Coffee

While any brew method works, still water coffee lends itself particularly well to certain manual brewing methods. Here are some favorite techniques:

Pour Over

The control and paper filtration of pour over creates excellent clarity in mineral water coffee.

French Press

The immersion brewing helps extract maximum minerals for full, rich flavor.

Cold Brew

Lower temperature brings out mineral water's sweetness and subtle notes.

Espresso

Intense pressure combines with minerals for unparalleled texture and complexity.

The best brewing method comes down to your unique flavor preferences and equipment availability.

Still Water Coffee Recipes

Here are some recommended coffee recipes using popular mineral water brands:

Pour Over Still Water Coffee

20g coffee grounds
340g San Pellegrino
Hario V60 dripper
#2 paper filter

French Press Still Water Coffee

28g coffee grounds
400g Gerolsteiner
French press
95C water

Cold Brew Still Water Coffee

70g coarse ground coffee
700g Topo Chico
Mason jar
12-24 hour steep

These recipes make excellent starting points for dialing in your preferred mineral water coffee.

Downsides of Still Water Coffee

Despite its perks, there are some potential downsides to consider with still water coffee:

• Higher cost - Mineral water is pricier than tap water
• Waste - Produces more plastic waste from bottles
• Changing flavor - Opening carbonated water alters its properties
• Harder to control - Lack of universal standards for mineral levels

These factors may make still water coffee impractical or less appealing for some coffee lovers. But many deem it worth it for the elevated flavor experience.

The Future of Still Water Coffee

The still water coffee trend shows no signs of slowing down in the specialty coffee community. As research continues on the science behind mineral extraction, brewing with mineral water for flavor will likely only grow.

We may see more equipment developed specifically for still water coffee, like remineralization filters for brewers. Coffee shops may start serving premium mineral water selections.

However, the higher cost and environmental impact could limit the adoption of mineral water coffee. But its ability to enhance flavor will ensure it remains popular among dedicated coffee connoisseurs.

Overall, still water coffee represents an exciting new chapter in the ongoing evolution of expertly crafting better-tasting, more nuanced coffee experiences.

Disclaimer: This article is for informational purposes only and does not constitute medical advice. Always consult with a healthcare professional before starting any new treatment regimen.