My barista friend hit me with a coffee truth bomb

I was complaining about my morning brew tasting flat, and my buddy at Grounds Control in Phoenix said, 'You're using water that's too hot, it's burning the grounds before they can bloom.' I always just boiled the kettle and poured. Tried his method, waiting a full minute off boil, and my cheap beans suddenly had way more flavor. Has anyone else had a simple tip totally change their home coffee game?

4 comments

4 Comments

quinna891mo ago

Wait, so does the water temp thing matter more for certain brewing methods? I've only ever used a french press.

the_wendy1mo ago

That "burning the grounds" idea is a really common myth. In my experience, water just off a boil is fine for most methods. The flat taste you had was probably from stale beans or a bad grind. Water that's too hot can make it bitter, but it doesn't stop blooming.

uma_williams1mo agoTop Commenter

My local roaster swears water over 205 degrees kills the good stuff. He showed me the taste difference side by side with a thermometer. I can't go back to just off boil now.

stone.lisa23h ago

Feel your pain on that one. Once you taste the difference a few degrees makes, there's no unlearning it. My kettle's thermometer is my best friend now.