If you’ve ever brought home a bag of coffee beans from your favorite local cafe or roaster and noticed that you’re not getting all of the same flavors that you love when you order that very same coffee, it’s very possible that the culprit is your water. Water is an often overlooked, but critical component to consider to when it comes to serving the best coffee possible, as it makes up a tremendous amount of the liquid output in your cup (over 98% to be specific.) In recent years, the conversation surrounding the water that is used in the coffee brewing process has become increasingly louder, and we want to focus on one specific type of water filtration method: reverse osmosis.
What is Reverse Osmosis?
Reverse osmosis is a compound filtration method that has revolutionized water purification. It operates on the principle of using a semi-permeable membrane to remove ions, unwanted molecules, and larger particles from drinking water. This process not only ensures the elimination of contaminants but also improves taste, odor, and appearance of the water. Widely adopted for both residential and commercial use, reverse osmosis systems are a key component in ensuring access to clean and safe drinking water.
There are multiple benefits to using reverse osmosis water in a cafe or roasting facility, and they extend beyond just providing potable water. It plays a crucial role in processes that require pure water, contributing to the efficiency and longevity of equipment. Moreover, reverse osmosis is environmentally-friendly, reducing the reliance on bottled water and thereby decreasing plastic waste. Its ability to demineralize and deionize water makes it particularly valuable for environments that demand high purity levels, be it a commercial cafe or an at-home coffee bar.
Additionally, the technology behind reverse osmosis systems has seen considerable advancements, resulting in increased water recovery, reduced energy consumption, and lower operating costs. As these systems become more cost-effective and easier to maintain, their application continues to expand, making a significant impact on public health and industrial processes. The versatility and effectiveness of reverse osmosis underscore its importance in modern water treatment solutions.
Ideal Water For Coffee Brewing
It might sounds like using the purest water with the least amount of minerals would be the best solution for brewing coffee, tea, and espresso, but this presents its own set of issues. Water that is too soft and lacks proper mineralization can actually cause corrosion of your equipment over time. On the opposite side of the spectrum, water that contains too many solubles, or minerals, can leave behind a residue that we commonly refer to as scale. When brewing coffee, we want a small amount of minerals in the water as these can lend themselves to a more flavorful end result. Here are just a few examples:
- Magnesium - adds sweetness and complexity to your coffee while increasing the overall body
- Sodium - acts as a buffer against unwanted acidity, bitterness, and other unwanted flavors
- Calcium - retains clarity of flavors in your coffee while highlighting fruit and floral flavor notes
- Potassium - helps to create a clean, finished flavor in your coffee while rounding out acidity
Everpure EZ-RO Filtration System
The Everpure EZ-RO System not only uses reverse osmosis to remove unwanted minerals and solubles from your water, but it also re-mineralizes your water to your specific needs. This system uses replaceable cartridges to effectively reduces common contaminants such as sediment, chlorine, and particulates that may affect the taste, smell, and overall quality of your tap water. After the initial reverse osmosis treatment, the Everpure EZ-RO system adds back magnesium and calcium in order to protect your equipment from corrosion and helps to guarantee an enhanced extraction of your coffee. Lastly, the system itself inhibits the growth of bacteria, so you can be sure that the EZ-RO system is providing you with clean, safe, properly mineralized and blended water that not only tastes great, but will help to bring out the absolute best flavors in your coffee.
If you have questions about the Everpure EZ-RO system or any of the other water filtration systems that we carry, please contact us. We’re always happy to discuss all things coffee and espresso, and we’d love to help you find the water filtration system that will best suit your needs.