As professional coffee roasters and owners of Lake City Coffee, Alisha and I (Russell) are often asked, at what temperature should I make my coffee? There’s not a cut and dry answer to this question, because it depends on several variables. Let’s examine the 4 rules to coffee temperature and see if we can help you to make a great cup of coffee.
Rule #1 – Coffee Drinking Temperature
Your coffee drinking temperature should dictate your coffee brewing temperature. So, before we discuss coffee brewing temperature, you need to decide how hot you prefer your coffee drinking temperature.
Most professional taste testers say that 140 degree coffee drinking temperature is best for optimal taste. Each year, I taste-test 2 dozen different samples of coffee beans from the Tarrazu Region of Costa Rica, just so that I can pick out 1 bean that stands out, head-and-shoulders above the rest. While taste-testing these 2 dozen different samples, I always do so at 140 degrees. Yet, when I’m kicking back and enjoying my morning cup of coffee, I prefer 150 degrees. Why? Because I’m very texture oriented. So, my preference is 150 degrees.
At what temperature should you drink your coffee? I highly suggest that you experiment to figure that out. Heat 3 cups of coffee, one at 140 degrees, another at 150 degrees, and lastly one at 160 degrees. After taste testing these side-by-side, you’ll know your preference. Keep in mind that over 170 degrees and you’re likely to be permanently killing some of your tastebuds.
Rule #2 – Coffee Brewing Temperature
Most baristas will tell you to brew your coffee at 200 degrees. That may be fine and dandy for them and their $7,000 espresso machine, but for you at home, brewing with God knows what kind of brewer, 200 degrees may not work for you.
Here’s the rub. As I said above, your coffee drinking temperature should dictate your coffee brewing temperature. Why? Because as you make your coffee, it’s going to cool. How much will it cool? Well that all depends on your brewing method. Some brewing methods lose 10 degrees, others 40 degrees. To find your perfect coffee brewing temperature, you’re just going to have to experiment.
For example, when I want to make the perfect cup of coffee, I start with boiling water (212 degrees), I pour this boiling water into a room temperature French Press. Then I let it steep with the coffee grounds for 3 minutes. Lastly, I press and pour the coffee into a room temperature coffee mug, resulting in a coffee drinking temperature of 140 degrees.
Rule #3 – Brewing Method
In my mind there are two major groups of brewing methods. The easy way. And the best way. The easy way is usually automated machines, i.e. a drip machine, or automated espresso, or something like that. These automated methods may be easier, but they seldom give you the option to set the brewing or drinking temperature.
The second method is anything that’s manual, i.e., French Press, AeroPress, Pour Over, Manual Espresso, etc. The advantage of these methods is that you are in control of the most critical variables, like water temperature, fineness or coarseness of grounds, and ratio of grounds to water. Manual coffee brewing methods always produce better coffee.
Each different brewing method will lose heat differently. Again, you’ll have to experiment to figure out how much heat you’re losing with your brewing method. If that method doesn’t work for you, try some other brewing method.
Rule #4 – What Coffee Mug Are You Using?
There are no shortages of options here. In the non-insulated category, there are coffee mugs made of tin, stainless steel, plastic, ceramic, porcelain, etc. In the insulated category, vacuum insulated are by far the best in keeping your coffee hot. The bad news is that there is only one vacuum insulated coffee mug made in the U.S. and that is BurnOutMugs.com. All other vacuum insulated mugs are made by slave labor in China.
The big question here is how fast or slow do you drink your coffee? I used to make 16 ounces of coffee and it’d take me 2 hours to drink it. Therefore, I needed a very well insulated mug. Finally, I stopped making 16 ounces and started making 8 ounces of coffee at a time and drinking it faster. With only 8 ounces of coffee, any coffee mug made in the U.S. works for me now.
Coffee Temperature Tips
- One trick that I often use to get hotter coffee is to preheat my brewing system (French Press) and my coffee mug. Sometimes I just use hot tap-water, other times I use boiling water.
- Experts often say that brewing with boiling water will scorch the beans. Baloney! I’ve done side-by-side taste tests with boiling water compared to 200-degree water. Tasted the same for me.
- There are many ways to heat your water. Below is a list of my favorites. For a complete list and details go to our FAQ page and select Brewing Equipment Page.
- A Pyrex measuring cup in the microwave. With the one exception of an electric boiler, this is the fastest and easiest. Additionally, Pyrex is Made In USA!!!
- A gooseneck kettle, electric or on the stove. The electric ones are all made in China by slave labor. You can find stove top ones made in Japan and Europe.
- Electric Kettle or Stove Top Kettle. The electric kettles are the fastest way to boil water, but again, they’re “all” made in China by slave labor. You can find stove-top kettles that are made all over the world, except the US. If you find one, let me know.
- If you need to warm up your coffee, go ahead and pop it in the microwave. Many, so called, experts will tell you to never use the microwave. Prissy, little wimps. Trust me, you’re not likely to be able to tell the difference. Even if you could tell the difference, it beats drinking cold coffee. I do it all the time.
- If you use a drip machine which pours into a pot or you use a carafe, then use one that’s vacuum insulated.
- Never use a warming tray to keep your coffee pot warm. Now that’s something that will definitely change the taste of your coffee quite a bit.
Lake City Coffee
Our customers are unique. Actually, that’s being kind. Our customers are at best coffee lovers and at worst coffee nerds. Bottom line, we’re a group of coffee people that are really picky. We all love coffee that’s smooth as silk, with prominent and subtle flavors that are beautifully balanced like a world-class Bordeaux. So, if you’re looking for a coffee that’s as special as you are, then you’re in the right place. Just to be sure that you’re in the right place, check out or reviews.
Here at Lake City Coffee, Alisha and I offer our customers 1 very unique, world-class bean (Costa Rican) and 3 roasts. Since we sell the very best coffee bean, that has the highest quality per price ratio (QPR), we ship coffee to folks, just like you, in 40-60 different cities, every week, all across the country.
God Bless,
Russell & Alisha Volz
