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Coffee Temperature: What is the Ideal Temp for Making Coffee?

Dave Carter

Published: March 17, 2022

Last updated: September 4, 2024

Coffee temperature can make or break the flavor of your cup. Whether you enjoy a piping hot cup of Joe, like many people do in the United States, or prefer to drink it iced and sweetened, each person has their preference when it comes to what they believe is the perfect temperature for their beverage! It may take some experimenting before you find the right temperature for your cup of coffee, but it is all worth it when you do. 

Generally speaking, the lighter the roast, the hotter the temperature at which you should brew your coffee so that it tastes best. The only exception to this rule is if you have a darker roast that has been extensively ground up. Espresso machines utilize high temperatures to create crema on top of your shot and generally require water that isn't too hot or boiling to execute properly. If you are looking to change up your daily routine and find out which way might be best for you, then this article will give you some insight into how different coffee temperatures affect the taste of coffee!

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Coffee Temperature Ranges for the Best Drink

The Right Coffee Temperature to Drink

Coffee enthusiasts have many preferences when it comes to taste (and it highly depends on the quality of your coffee maker), but there is one thing that they can agree on- the best drink is brewed at the right coffee temperature! A few degrees either way makes all the difference in how your coffee tastes!

If you are looking to reheat coffee, don't boil it! As you know, boiling your beverage at high temps will result in a bitter flavor. 

Since that is not what anyone wants, the best way to warm up your coffee enough for it to smell just right without destroying its true taste is by using the microwave or stovetop. Whether you prefer iced or hot chocolate drinks, this article will help you navigate through different ranges for each type.

Brewing at 195°F to 205°F

The flavor of coffee increases with the temperature at which it is brewed and served. Brewing temperatures between 195°F to 205°F range result in a more flavorful but less acidic taste than brewing below 195 degrees Fahrenheit or above 205 degrees Fahrenheit. A good rule of thumb would be waiting two minutes after boiling water cools off to drink. 

Wait 5-7 seconds if using an electric kettle that reaches 194 ° F by default (about 10% cooler). And wait 8-10 seconds when heating from room temperature on a stovetop - about 3 minute brew time. This will leave ample time for percolating while still delivering a full-flavored yet slightly bitter beverage.

Brewing at 150°F and 180°F

Coffee is best served at 150°F as it releases the perfect balance of acid and bitterness. If you prefer a smooth finish, 180°C may be your preference! Drinking coffee can seem daunting, with so many different coffee temperatures to choose from. But if we had to pick one most enjoyable temperature for us, it would have to be just below boiling point – of about 160-170 degrees Fahrenheit. 

The reason boils down to these two words: "Acid" + "Bitter." At this range, your favorite drink has more balanced flavors like fruity acids, while bitter notes strike up an earthy flavor profile in each sip without being too overwhelming on either end of the spectrum!

Brewing at 120°F and 140°F

A study published in the Journal of Food Science has found that coffee at 120°F and 140°F can significantly impact our bodies. While hot coffee temperatures may feel good when we first drink, they are wreaking havoc internally by causing your natural defenses to release more cortisol into your system and increasing acidity levels. 

Not only is this harming you physically, but it is also making you sleepier than if the temperature was just right. On top of all those downsides, studies show that drinks hotter than 150 degrees Fahrenheit are not enjoyable anyway because their taste isn't as full or robust compared to other liquids around the 130-140 degree mark, which make them much better for drinking regularly!

Below 120°F.

To make the best-tasting coffee, it is recommended to keep your water heater below 120°F. “Coffee brewed at temperatures above 197˚ will release a lot of aromatic oils. Brewing hot water also increases its boiling point, which causes more mineral content in the cup.

This can lead to an over-extracted brew with undesirable flavors like bitterness or sourness that are not desirable for most people's tastes, with some exceptions such as espresso. This temp is good if you enjoy drinking your morning joe black without sugar or cream.

What is the Perfect Temperature for Coffee?

Perfect Temperature for Coffee to Drink

When you have spent your time perfecting an art like making coffee, you can become quite opinionated on the subject. Many people often ask, what is the perfect temperature for coffee?

The perfect temp for coffee is usually between 140-160 degrees Fahrenheit. This allows it to release its aroma, and the flavor does not become too strong as you drink it due to a lower concentration of dissolved solids in the high boiling point water. 

The best way to measure this without any fancy equipment is by using an instant-read thermometer like one from Thermoworks or Maverick with a probe. Such that it can be left inside during brewing time up until when you pour yourself some joe! So what is the best temperature for iced coffee? Most people will tell you that if you brew your coffee hot and then cool it off with ice, you are going to dilute the flavor, right?

Not necessarily! Coffee naturally has a sweet taste, so if you make it at a slightly hotter temperature than normal when brewing iced coffee and then add sweetener and/or milk, it can be just as tasty as something brewed at room temperature. 

Plus, when you infuse creamers into your cup such as vanilla or hazelnut, some added flavor notes in there give off some additional sweetness. If cooling your cup down first isn't doing it for you, try chilling your coffee grounds after you brew the entire batch and instead of putting it in a cup, pour it over ice. The flavor will still be there!

How hot is Coffee when Boiled?

If you like to make your coffee at home using a French press, then the question, “how hot is coffee when boiled?” Must have escaped your lips on more than one occasion. Today we shall answer this! If the water isn't hot enough when added to the grounds, your coffee will come out tasting more bitter than it usually does. The optimal temperature coffee while boiling is around 200 degrees Fahrenheit and as long as that temp is maintained throughout the brewing process, all of its flavor notes will be intact. 

There is a difference between boiling and steaming temperatures. The main difference between these two types of water temperatures is that boiling water will cause your coffee's flavor to be more bitter than it should. If you use boiling water, it might seem counterintuitive to add cream or sugar, but if you do so early enough, this practice can help balance out the bitterness. 

On the other hand, steaming hot water won't have adverse effects on how your drink turns out as long as you only hold the grounds in there for a matter of seconds (less than 30). Instead, try pouring around 80-degree water over your coffee grounds and let them steep for four minutes before straining them into your cup. This process is known as the "Italian Coffee" method and is similar to how espresso machines operate.

Benefits of using the right Coffee brewing Temperature

List of the Best Coffee Brewing Temperature

Brewing at the appropriate water temperature for your coffee beans will extract their full flavor. Coffee is meant to be enjoyed without any additives, so you should try it with nothing more than a splash of milk to get the most out of it and find out which roast you like best.

In addition to getting all of the wonderful aromas and flavors from your beans, brewing at the right temps will leave less sediment behind when you pour.

If you brew your coffee properly, there should be no issue when drinking straight black, but if you want a little cream or sweetener, add them after because your cup won't have that gritty taste on the bottom! You can also ensure that those essential oils are captured in each cup if you plan to use your coffee beans for other things like candles or soap.

Just note that since the water is hotter when brewing at a higher water temperature (logically), you will have a more caffeinated cup of coffee as well. Using an electric kettle with variable temperatures allows you to control how much heat goes into your pot by adjusting its temp before boiling.

Here is a list of some of the benefits of using the correct coffee brewing temperature:-

  1. You will save money on coffee beans and filters if you use the right brewing temperature.

  2. Brewing at too high of a temperature coffee results in over-extraction, which leads to an unpleasant bitter after taste that lingers long after drinking experience.

  3. Choosing a lower brewing temperature will produce less acidity in your cup of joe while still extracting all of those delicious flavors!

  4. Using the right brewing temperature will give you a more consistent flavor in every cup of coffee.

  5. Brewing coffee at too low of a water temperature will result in weak, sour-tasting coffee.
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Conclusion

The perfect coffee brewing temperature is one of those things that we take for granted. In addition to the circumstances mentioned, personal preference also plays a major role. But when it comes to the quality and taste of your morning cup, you might want to rethink how you brew it. We hope this article has helped you know the right coffee temperature! Now this is the perfect time to go ahead and get your coffee brewing!

Dave Carter

As a coffee enthusiastic I share with you my latest and greatest coffee news and insights. I always interested in trying out new things about the best bean of the world which I sahre to you all as I want you to also enjoy the cup of coffee as much as I do. Due to my experience I will collect newest information for you I find around the globe, buy machines to help you understand and rate them correctly which may help you to decide better which one to buy. I´m always open to your feedback, so don´t hesitate to contact me anytime :-)

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