You’ve probably wondered why your homebrewed coffee hardly tastes like professionally brewed coffee bought from a coffee shop.
Well, there’re several variables that determine the final taste of coffee. These variables include the quality of beans, the roast level, grind size, brewing time, brewing temperature, and serving temperature.
The temperature at which you brew and serve coffee matters a lot. Thus, it’s important to know how hot coffee should be.
In this guide, you’ll learn more about the best coffee brewing and serving temperature. That way, you’ll know the temperature that can brew barista-like coffee at home.
The Ideal Coffee Brewing Temperature
There’re many variables involved in making a perfect coffee brew. They all affect the final result. Thus, all the variables involved are equally important. If you disregard one of the variables, you won’t get a perfect brew.
Of all the variables that come into play when brewing coffee, the brewing temperature is often overlooked. Generally, brewing coffee involves extracting essential coffee compounds from ground coffee.
In case the water isn’t hot enough, there’ll be under-extraction of soluble coffee compounds. Thus, you’ll get a flat brew. On the contrary, if the water temperature is extremely high, there’ll be over-extraction, hence a bitter brew.
The ideal coffee brewing temperature is a temperature that’s in between. That means the water should neither be too cold nor too hot. After many years of brewing coffee, it’s agreed by professionals that the ideal brewing temperature is between 185 to 205 degrees Fahrenheit.
How Hot Is Coffee Brewed?
If you want to brew the best-tasting coffee, ensure you’re using the right water temperature. But how is this possible?
To make your work easier, invest in a high-end kettle that has controls for choosing a precise temperature when heating water. Also, it should be able to maintain the set temperature.
However, such high-end kettles can be quite pricey for anyone on a tight budget. A cheaper method would be buying an infrared thermometer. The thermometer will help you to take the water temperature when using a regular kettle.
If you want to get the temperature right without spending extra money, consider using a traditional technique, which involves boiling water and setting it aside for about 30 to 60 seconds to attain the right temperature.
Your preciseness in getting the temperature right will determine the extent of extraction when brewing. Just ensure the water isn’t boiling to get acceptable results.
What Temperature Is Coffee Served At
Coffee experts recommend the serving temperature for coffee to be kept between 180 to 185 degrees Fahrenheit. Serving coffee at a higher temperature can burn you.
Also, you’ll find it challenging to distinguish the flavors of good coffee. The taste of coffee is not just about its chocolate hints and berry notes. When served at the right temperature, you’ll enjoy more of its mood-boosting effects.
So What Is the Perfect Temperature for Coffee?
So what temperature is coffee brewed at? As you have seen in this guide, the perfect temperature for brewing coffee is between 185 to 205 degrees Fahrenheit.
When it comes to serving coffee, the temperature should neither be scalding hot or lukewarm. Coffee tastes different when served at different temperatures. Generally, the best serving temperature will depend on your flavor preferences.
If you prefer bitter, sweet, and rounded coffee notes, serve coffee between 155 to 175 degrees Fahrenheit. On the other hand, if you prefer more acidic, sharper, and brighter notes, consider serving coffee at a temperature of between 120 to 140 degrees Fahrenheit.
If you prefer the sensation that comes with hot coffee and flavors are not a major concern, then you can drink hot coffee at a temperature of between 180 to 185 degrees Fahrenheit.
Regardless of how hot you like freshly brewed coffee, ensure you drink it while hot. Avoid reheating coffee. Reheating coffee can affect its flavors.
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