Let’s talk about something you might not think about every day but plays a HUGE role in the quality of your espresso: water. Yep, water.
You might assume that since it’s just a cup of water running through your machine, it’s not a big deal, right?
But the truth is, the quality of the water you use in your espresso machine can either make or break your coffee—and even affect how well your machine performs over time.
In fact, water quality is one of the most overlooked factors when people talk about making great espresso.
So let’s dive into why the water you’re using matters so much, how it affects your espresso’s taste, and what you can do to improve it.
How Water Quality Affects Espresso Flavor
Okay, let’s start with the obvious: the taste of your espresso. Since water makes up 98% of your coffee, it’s easy to see why it plays such an important role.
But not all water is created equal. Depending on where you live, your tap water could be hard, soft, or somewhere in between. And this can have a big impact on the taste of your espresso.
1. Hard Water vs. Soft Water
- Hard water is full of minerals like calcium and magnesium. While these minerals are great for your bones, they can throw off the balance of your espresso. Hard water tends to extract more bitterness from the coffee grounds, leaving you with a brew that tastes harsher than it should.
- Soft water, on the other hand, lacks those minerals, but it might not extract enough flavor from the coffee, leaving your espresso flat or lacking depth. So, both extremes can cause issues.
Ideally, you want water that has a balanced mineral content. This helps to extract the perfect amount of flavors from your coffee grounds, creating that rich, balanced espresso we all crave.
2. Chlorine and Chemicals
If your water has a noticeable chlorine or chemical taste, it’s going to end up in your espresso. No one wants a cup of coffee that tastes like a swimming pool, right? Unfortunately, many municipalities treat their water with chlorine, which can give your coffee a strange, chemical aftertaste. This is why filtering your water (more on that in a bit) is key to improving both the flavor of your coffee and the health of your espresso machine.
The Impact of Water on Espresso Machine Performance
Now, let’s talk about what hard water does to your espresso machine itself. Spoiler alert: it’s not good.
Scale Buildup
Minerals like calcium and magnesium from hard water don’t just stay in the water; they stick around inside your machine, forming scale buildup. Think of it like plaque on your teeth—it’s stubborn, builds up over time, and can cause all kinds of problems if not dealt with.
- Why it’s bad: Scale buildup can clog up your machine’s pipes, block the flow of water, and make it harder for your machine to reach the right brewing temperature. This can result in longer brew times, lower pressure, and, worst of all, bitter espresso.
Shortened Lifespan of the Machine
When scale starts to build up inside your machine, it’s like putting your espresso maker under constant stress. The heating elements and internal components have to work harder to do their job, which can lead to wear and tear much faster than normal. This means more repairs and a shorter lifespan for your machine. And let’s face it—nobody wants to replace their beloved espresso machine sooner than they have to!
How to Improve Water Quality for Your Espresso Machine
Alright, so now that you know why water quality matters, let’s talk about how to improve it. Don’t worry—you don’t need to move to a new city or invest in some crazy expensive water treatment system. There are simple solutions that can make a big difference.
Use Filtered Water
One of the easiest ways to improve the water quality in your espresso machine is to use filtered water. A good water filter will remove the chlorine and reduce the mineral content of hard water, giving you cleaner, better-tasting water for your espresso.
You can either:
- Install a water filtration system for your kitchen tap, which will filter out unwanted minerals and chemicals.
- Use a water filter jug, like Brita, to filter the water before pouring it into your espresso machine.
Filtered water helps reduce scale buildup, which means less frequent descaling and fewer repairs.
Use Bottled Water
If your tap water is particularly hard or has a lot of chlorine, you can switch to bottled water. But be careful—not all bottled water is great for espresso. Look for bottled water with a balanced mineral content, often labeled as “spring water” rather than distilled or mineral water. Distilled water lacks minerals, which, as we mentioned earlier, are necessary to extract the full flavor from your coffee grounds.
3. Descale Your Machine Regularly
No matter what water you’re using, you’ll still need to descale your espresso machine from time to time. If you live in an area with hard water, this might be as often as every 2-3 months. Descaling removes any mineral deposits that have built up inside the machine, keeping it running smoothly.
Use a commercial descaling solution or a homemade mix of vinegar and water to get the job done. If you’re unsure about how to do this, check your machine’s manual for instructions.
What Happens If You Ignore Water Quality?
You might be thinking, “Can I just get away with using tap water and not worry about it?” Sure, you could, but here’s what could happen if you ignore water quality:
- Bitter or Bland Coffee: Your espresso won’t taste as good as it should, and that’s just a waste of good beans.
- Frequent Machine Breakdowns: You’ll deal with scale buildup, clogged pipes, and malfunctioning heating elements. Over time, you’ll notice your espresso machine struggling to perform, and repairs aren’t cheap!
- Shorter Machine Lifespan: Ignoring water quality means you’ll likely need to replace your espresso machine sooner, which could cost you hundreds (if not thousands) of dollars.
Conclusion: Water Matters More Than You Think
So, there you have it—water quality is not just a minor detail when it comes to making great espresso. It plays a huge role in both the taste of your coffee and the health of your machine. If you want your espresso to taste amazing and your machine to last for years, pay attention to the water you’re using.
Switch to filtered or bottled water, descale your machine regularly, and watch as your espresso gets even better. Trust me, once you start using the right water, you’ll taste the difference in every single cup.