When it comes to brewing the perfect cup of coffee, the quality of water used can make all the difference. At Gold Roast Coffee, we understand that water is more than just a medium—it's a crucial ingredient that impacts taste and machine longevity. We'll delve into why using water with a balanced mineral profile, such as that provided by a quality filter system, is essential for your coffee machine's performance. Plus, we'll introduce you to our water filter products designed to enhance your coffee experience.
Why Water Quality Matters for Your Brew
Water forms the base of every cup of coffee. Its mineral content, pH level, and purity directly influence the flavour and aroma of your brew. Water that is too hard (high in minerals like calcium and magnesium) can lead to bitter flavours and damage your machine with scale buildup. On the other hand, water that is too soft or demineralized can result in a flat, weak, or sour taste. The right water finds a crucial balance, allowing the complex notes of your coffee beans to shine.
Did you know that the Kitchener-Waterloo region, along with surrounding areas like Guelph and Cambridge, is known for its particularly hard water? This is due to the high concentration of minerals in the local groundwater, which can negatively impact the taste of your coffee and the lifespan of your brewing equipment. Using the right filtration system is especially important here to protect your machine and ensure a delicious, clean cup.
Understanding Reverse Osmosis (RO)
Reverse osmosis is a highly effective water purification process that uses a semipermeable membrane to remove a wide range of contaminants. However, it's important to understand what it does to the water's mineral content.
A standard RO system removes nearly all dissolved solids, including both harmful contaminants like lead and beneficial minerals like calcium and magnesium. This makes RO water an incredibly pure, demineralized "blank slate." While this is great for removing impurities, coffee brewing relies on those key minerals to properly extract flavour. For this reason, many modern RO systems designed for drinking water include a post-filter that re-mineralizes the water, adding back a balanced level of minerals essential for both great taste and machine health. You can also re-mineralize your water using products such a Third Wave Water.
The Role of Soft Water (And The Ideal Balance)
Soft water is water treated to significantly reduce hardness minerals like calcium and magnesium. While it is excellent at preventing scale buildup inside your coffee machine, water that is too soft can make coffee taste flat and lifeless because it lacks the minerals needed to carry the flavour compounds from the grounds to your cup.
The goal isn't just "soft" water, but a balanced mineral composition. We believe this is the key to both an incredible cup of coffee and a longer-lasting machine. Our specialized soft water filtration solutions, such as the BWT Aqualizer, are tailored to achieve this perfect mineral balance, reducing unwanted hardness while leaving in just the right amount of minerals for optimal flavour extraction.
Why You Should Avoid Distilled Water for Coffee
While often confused with RO, distilled water is produced by boiling water and collecting the resulting steam. This process removes virtually everything—including 100% of minerals and dissolved solids.
This complete lack of minerals makes distilled water exceptionally pure but also very "hungry." Its aggressive, demineralized nature can actually leach minerals from the metal components of your coffee machine over time, potentially causing damage and affecting performance. For optimal brewing and machine longevity, we highly recommend steering clear of distilled water.
Our Water Filter Products: Enhance Your Coffee
At Gold Roast Coffee, we're passionate about enhancing your coffee experience from bean to cup. That's why we offer a range of water filter products designed specifically for coffee equipment. Our solutions ensure you have the ideal water for brewing, protecting your valuable equipment, and unlocking the full potential of your coffee.
Choosing the right water for your coffee machine is a simple yet impactful way to enhance your daily ritual. By opting for water with a carefully balanced mineral profile, you're not only improving the taste of your coffee but also prolonging the life of your beloved machine.
Ready to optimize your coffee brewing with our water filter solutions? Explore our range of products online or in our showroom in Waterloo, Ontario.Â
Need a Repair?
Is your machine performing poorly due to scale build up? Our repair specialists can help get your machine back in working order advise you on the best water to use for a consistently great brew.