Emerging Articles

While it may seem that producing consistently great coffee is somehow complicated, there are really only a handful of steps that truly make a difference in the process. Many people mistakenly assume that great coffee comes from the machine itself, and that a more expensive small coffee machine will produce a superior cup of coffee simply because the machine itself contains all sorts of fancy gadgets and features. I’m here to tell you that this simply isn’t the case. The things that matter most in the production of great coffee are the freshness of the coffee beans, grinding the beans just prior to use and the temperature of the brew water; that’s right, the temperature of the water.

The process of brewing coffee is quite elementary. Heated water is introduced to a measured amount of ground coffee to extract flavor compounds from the grounds. A combination of water and coffee flavoring is deposited into the brewing vessel where it waits for the user to enjoy it. One of the most critical elements in the extraction process is the temperature of the brew water, since the important coffee flavors and oils are best extracted at a specific temperature range. That range is between 195 and 205 degrees Fahrenheit. Should temperatures fall below this range the result will be an under-extracted, weak cup of coffee. On the other hand, temperatures above the range will produce over-extraction, which results in bitterness. So, what does this mean for the average person making coffee for themselves at home? Not much, actually.

Fortunately, most small coffee makers brew within the desired temperature range, though there are some that don’t and others that tend to fluctuate. The only true way to know is to properly research before your buy. Coffee forums are a great place to learn about the capabilities of different machines, including the temperature data mentioned above. Ultimately, it’s important to understand that the machine itself is merely a vessel for achieving coffee nirvana.