johnnyarabica Junior Member Joined: 1 Aug 2008 Posts: 1 Location: Los Angeles area Expertise: I love coffee
Posted Wed Aug 6, 2008, 9:52pm Subject: Filtered water-- but what kind?
OK, this may seem like a stupid question, but what kind of water is best for home-brewing? My tap water sucks and even the filtered water from my fridge isn't that great. So, what is it? Spring water, mineral water, distilled, something else?
Posted Wed Aug 6, 2008, 10:38pm Subject: Re: Filtered water-- but what kind?
I'm no expert, but I'll get the ball rolling. The quick answer is that it depends on your setup. Some people use distilled water but some manuals (like the one that came with my Livia 90 (I think it messes up the autofill feature)) explicitly tell you not to use distilled water. I think the manual recommended bottled spring water and I bet it's hard to go wrong with that.
Posted Wed Aug 6, 2008, 11:36pm Subject: Re: Filtered water-- but what kind?
For my espresso, I like to combine Brita water with a regular under the sink, or bottled spring water, in a 50/50 proportion. Example...Brita 50% with bottled Spring water...or bottled RO 50% (often called "purified...NOT distilled) and either 50% under the sink filtered or Spring water. The Brita is softened as well as de-mineralized, and the Spring water or filtered tap provides just the right mineral balance. My test strips prove this out. Just about perfect readings for taste, and low calcium build-up. Using the Brita and my under-sink filter system (just 2 relatively cheap charcoal cartridges $8 each), I've eliminated 750 plastic bottles a year. YMMV
raisin Senior Member Joined: 15 Nov 2007 Posts: 65 Location: nj Expertise: I love coffee
Grinder: Virtuosa Roaster: Behmor
Posted Thu Aug 7, 2008, 7:40pm Subject: Re: Filtered water-- but what kind?
PhilosoGeek Said:
I'm no expert, but I'll get the ball rolling. The quick answer is that it depends on your setup. Some people use distilled water but some manuals (like the one that came with my Livia 90 (I think it messes up the autofill feature)) explicitly tell you not to use distilled water. I think the manual recommended bottled spring water and I bet it's hard to go wrong with that.
I'm no expert either...LOL...but I'd say no to the question regarding Brita. It is simply a charcoal filtered water, with the filter also containing "whatever" that softens the water. I've tested it, and it is on the soft side of the dial, whereas, spring water (as you'd expect) is much harder, due to the mineral content. Pure RO is not recommended for pump machines, as it can "trick" the water sensor...also, it has (IMO and others as well) a negative taste effect on espresso. Some mineral content is necessary. The combo seems to keep it right where it needs to be...good taste, lower hardness. Jim Schulman (aka "another_jim", one of our moderators and full time Coffee Geek) has an exhaustive study of water as it pertains to espresso and such. I believe if you Google "The Insane Water FAQ" it will appear...or maybe one of our esteemed Moderators can post the link. Once read, you'll NEVER look at, or drink water in the same way! ;>D
Posted Fri Aug 8, 2008, 7:54am Subject: Re: Filtered water-- but what kind?
In Scott Rao's book, he discussed about getting the ph levels as neutral as possible. So whatever filtration you use; i guess try to get the ph to 7. Personally i just use a pur filter pot; however, my dad just got a new house w/ water softener and reverse osmosis systems. last week i tried a press pot of stuff i just roasted. Even though Scott suggested a system that added additional minerals to softened water, whatever i brewed tasted good. (cant remember details, except i remember it was good)
Posted Fri Aug 8, 2008, 8:25am Subject: Re: Filtered water-- but what kind?
chex Said:
In Scott Rao's book, he discussed about getting the ph levels as neutral as possible. So whatever filtration you use; i guess try to get the ph to 7. Personally i just use a pur filter pot; however, my dad just got a new house w/ water softener and reverse osmosis systems. last week i tried a press pot of stuff i just roasted. Even though Scott suggested a system that added additional minerals to softened water, whatever i brewed tasted good. (cant remember details, except i remember it was good)
Posted Fri Aug 8, 2008, 8:35am Subject: Re: Filtered water-- but what kind?
IMAWriter Said:
Jim Schulman (aka "another_jim", one of our moderators and full time Coffee Geek) has an exhaustive study of water as it pertains to espresso and such. I believe if you Google "The Insane Water FAQ" it will appear...or maybe one of our esteemed Moderators can post the link. Once read, you'll NEVER look at, or drink water in the same way! ;>D
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