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.
FAQs
Does mineral water make better tasting coffee?
Yes, mineral water often enhances the flavor of coffee by extracting more organic compounds for a sweeter, more nuanced taste compared to regular water.
What is the best mineral water for coffee?
Look for mineral water with 35-75mg/L calcium, 10-30mg/L magnesium, 40-100mg bicarbonate, and less than 10mg/L sodium for optimal coffee flavor.
Can you use sparkling mineral water for coffee?
Most experts recommend using still mineral water, as the carbonation can alter the finished flavor. However, some do enjoy coffee made with sparking water.
Is mineral water coffee healthier?
Mineral water coffee provides additional minerals like calcium and magnesium, but isn't necessarily healthier overall than regular coffee.
Does mineral water make coffee taste salty?
High sodium content in some mineral waters can add a salty taste. Choose low or no sodium options to avoid saltiness ruining the coffee's flavor.
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.
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