Optimum temperatures for coffee

Hot beverages should be served at a temperature that offers the consumer the best experience.

Coffee is typically served hot, and the world’s most popular brews, such as espresso or americano, reflect this. However, the variety of preparations that result from coffee’s versatility can also mean that it is served cold and even iced.

Is there an ideal temperature for coffee?

Yes, there is an ideal temperature that has even been backed up by scientific studies.

How important is the temperature of the coffee when it is served?

According to research, liquids with a temperature of 68°C cause skin burns in just one second. However, liquids with a temperature of 52°C only cause skin burns after a full minute. We can therefore already rule out temperatures above 68° C for coffee.

Cold coffee, unless it is an iced coffee or a cold Brew acts, can taste unpleasant and even lose the freshness that is so important in a coffee tasting.

Preparation of iced coffee or cold Brew

Iced coffee is prepared hot. This way the taste, aroma and caffeine are released in the same way. After brewing, the coffee is cooled with ice to create an iced coffee.

Cold brew coffees work differently. They are brewed with cold water, allowing the water and coffee to steep for at least 12 hours. Heat speeds up the brewing process significantly, but the rapid heating also results in taste differences between hot and cold coffee.

Ideal coffee temperature for drinking

Based on mathematical and scientific calculations, a study found that the optimal temperature for drinking hot beverages, such as g. coffee, is 58°C.

Setting this serving temperature aims to reduce the risk of burns and improve consumer satisfaction.

At what temperature does the coffee come out of the machine?

The ideal brewing temperature is 93° C and this is exactly the temperature used in coffee machines. However, when it’s served, the temperature drops to around 82°C. In other words, it’s well above the recommended ideal temperature.

How can the temperature of the coffee be lowered?

It is not difficult to bring the coffee to this optimal drinking temperature.

If the coffee is brewed in a French press, the temperature will already drop several degrees in a short time, depending on the size of the press, how full it is and how much air surrounds it.

On the other hand, if cold liquids or liquids at room temperature, such as milk, are added to the coffee, the temperature drops quickly.

Coffee enjoyment at different temperatures

People’s tastes and needs are different, so the preferred temperature can vary individually. These cases are also discussed below.

Very hot coffee

Very hot coffee is ideal if it needs to be transported before consumption. Appropriate insulated vessels that keep the drink warm for a long time and can also be touched are an advantage. Everyone knows the situation of cardboard cups that feel like glowing coals in your hands.

With very hot coffee, it is also difficult to perceive the aromas. The heat often overshadows the aroma sensation on the palate. You can enjoy a fairly hot coffee this way, but the nuances in the taste of the coffee are hardly recognizable. There is also a risk of burning your mouth .

Ideal temperature for coffee aromas

The aromas of the coffee are more pronounced between 40° and 60° C. At this temperature you can best perceive the fine aromas that have developed during roasting.

The lower end of this temperature range is ideal for tasting a new roast or comparing two slightly different types of coffee.

Temperature for tasting the sweetness and acidity of the coffee

If the temperature of the coffee falls below 40°C, it is better to reheat it, as it will then become lukewarm, which can taste unpleasant. However, upon reheating, the flavor profile may change to a bitter or burnt taste.

How do you measure the temperature of coffee?

Once the coffee is in the cup, the best way to check the temperature is by tasting it. However, as it prepares, you can watch the temperature of the drink to get an idea of what to expect in your cup at the end.

You can also stick a thermometer directly into the drink to check the temperature.

However, the most common way to monitor the temperature is to use a kettle with a built-in thermometer. Most drip coffee makers should be able to regulate the temperature automatically.