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What Water Should Be Used for Brewing Coffee and How Different Waters Affect Flavor

Published: 2026-01-27 Author: FrontStreet Coffee

Last Updated: 2026/01/27, To all coffee enthusiasts, what water do you typically use when brewing coffee at home - mineral water or filtered water? At FrontStreet Coffee, we exclusively use Yi Bao mineral water for pour-over coffee. There's a specific reason why we don't use other brands of mineral water or filtered water. How much difference can the type of water make in the taste of your coffee? FrontStreet Coffee would like to briefly discuss this topic.

Ask fellow coffee enthusiasts, what water do you typically use when brewing coffee at home? Mineral water or filtered water? At FrontStreet Coffee, we exclusively use YiBao mineral water for pour-over coffee. There's a specific reason why we don't use other brands of mineral water or filtered water.

How Different Water Types Affect Coffee Taste

Different types of water can produce vastly different flavors in coffee. FrontStreet Coffee would like to briefly discuss coffee brewed with "soft water," "medium-hard water," and "hard water."

Does coffee brewed with different water types actually taste different? Indeed it does. Soft water can bring out the inherent aroma and flavor of coffee beans, while hard water enhances the bitterness of coffee, creating a more stimulating mouthfeel. Therefore, just like coffee beans, the water used for brewing should be chosen according to personal preference.

What Makes Water "Good" for Coffee?

In fact, good water has four basic conditions: tasteless, colorless, rich in oxygen, and containing appropriate amounts of minerals (30-200mg/kg). Soft water, such as tap water in Japan and especially domestic mineral water, mostly has low mineral content. Due to fewer mineral components, it has minimal impact on coffee's composition, presenting the most rounded and smooth mouthfeel during tasting. This is why many Japanese coffee shops achieve remarkably clean coffee flavors even when using siphon brewing.

Medium-hard water contains appropriate amounts of calcium and sits between soft and hard water. Compared to soft water during tasting, it lacks the smooth mouthfeel but offers balanced acidity and bitterness with reduced stimulation, making it a well-rounded choice in all aspects. The world-famous Evian is a representative brand of medium-hard water.

Hard water, also known as very hard water, is common in European and American mineral waters. It contains minerals that react with coffee components, resulting in stronger bitterness in brewed coffee. For those who need coffee to stay alert during late-night work or pursue a stimulating mouthfeel, this is likely the best choice.

Additionally, tap water contains limestone odor that diminishes coffee aroma. This can be significantly reduced after filtering through a water purifier and boiling. Using activated carbon filters containing salt can also effectively improve this condition.