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The Professional Barista's Handbook


Water Temperature

Brewing water temperature is very important because it affects flavor, brew strength, and flow rate. The "ideal" brewing temperature is determined by numerous variables, including the coffee used, the flow rate of a shot, and, most importantly, your taste. It is fair to say almost all professionals prefer temperatures in the range of 185°F-204°F.

A few established facts exist regarding the relationship between temperature and espresso quality.

  • Excessively low temperatures produce sour, underextracted espresso.
  • Excessively high temperatures produce bitter, acrid, and woody flavors.
  • Higher temperatures result in more solids extraction and body.
  • Higher temperatures result in slower flow rates.

Additional Sections in the Printed Edition:

Managing Brew Temperature
Managing Temperature on Multiple-Boiler Machines
Putting It All Together
Preinfusion
Espresso-Making Techniques in Italy Versus America
Pressure Interruptions During Espresso Brewing

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If you have found this excerpt helpful, you can read the rest of the book by ordering online: The Professional Barista's Handbook.


Table of Contents

This article is an excerpt from Chapter 2, "Espresso". Below is the complete table of contents.

  1. The Professional Barista's Handbook Getting Started

  2. Espresso

    Espresso Percolation: a Primer
    Grinding for Espresso
    Dosing and Distribution
    Grooming
    Tamping
    Water Temperature
    Putting It All Together
    Preinfusion
    Espresso-Making Techniques in Italy Versus America
    Pressure Interruptions During Espresso Brewing

  3. The Science and Theory of Percolation and Extraction

    Percolation Dynamics
    Fines
    Basket Shape and Extraction
    Espresso Brewing Ratios and Standards

  4. Milk

    Milk Steaming
    Milk Pouring

  5. Barista Systems

    Efficiency Enhancement Tools
    Workflow

  6. Drip Coffee

    Freshness
    Drip Brewing Standards
    Grinding
    Temperature
    Turbulence
    Optimizing Different Batch Sizes
    Coffee Brewing Chart
    Setting Up the Filter
    Stirring: the Key to Making the Best Drip Coffee
    Programmable Brewer Settings
    How to Hold Brewed Coffee
    Brewing Drip Coffee to Order
    Coffee Filter Types
    Freezing Coffee Beans

  7. French Press Coffee

    How to Make Great French Press Coffee

  8. Water

    Water Chemistry
    Brewing Water Standards
    Water Treatment
    Descaling

  9. Tea

    Basic Tea-Making Guidelines
    Preparation by Tea Type

  10. Appendix, References, Glossary, Index