<p><strong>Yes.</strong></p>
<p>That is to say it will definitely affect flavor, but how it affects the flavor is ultimately dependent upon the specific mineral compounds found in your hard water vs. other hard waters and soft water's lack of these compounds.</p>
<blockquote>
<p>Here's the key: Some of the compounds in hard water are &quot;sticky,&quot; glomming onto certain compounds in coffee when they meet (in your coffeemaker). The more eugenol the water hangs on to, for example, the woodsier the taste of your coffee will be.</p>
<p>Magnesium is particularly sticky, meaning water that's high in magnesium will make coffee with a stronger flavor (and higher levels of caffeine). Hard water can also have high levels of bicarbonate, though, which Hendon found could lead to more bitter flavors coming through.  - A Chemist Has Uncovered A Secret To Brewing Delicious Coffee At Home <a href="http://www.businessinsider.com/a-chemist-has-uncovered-a-secret-to-delicious-coffee-2014-6#ixzz3Q3ecJSgz" rel="noreferrer"><em>Business Insider</em></a>.</p>
</blockquote>
<p>So depending on flavor preferences you might prefer your hard water at home but dislike it at work or simply prefer soft water altogether. Traditionally hard water is actually sought after for other beverage processes like beer brewing because of some of the abilities described above.</p>

CC BY-SA 3.0
2015-05-17T14:59:32.510Z
@EdChum What is the mineral content of your bottled water? Is it from a natural spring source? Is it treated with anything?
Patrick Sebastien
CC BY-SA 3.0
2015-05-19T18:49:37.087Z
@PatrickSebastien my bottled water is the supermarket's own brand still water which is the cheapest in the UK, I did try a branded one which probably because it was more expensive actually left residue similar to my tap water
EdChum
CC BY-SA 3.0
2016-05-02T16:07:43.133Z
There are several news articles across the web that actually prove why places such as NY/Seattle have the best coffee - they have the "best" water; the hardness level is much lower than midwest/southern states.

http://www.theatlantic.com/science/archive/2016/04/coffee-scientist/480015/
Geo
CC BY-SA 3.0
2015-01-27T21:05:06.407Z
That's interesting I have noticed that since using bottled water in my kettle that my coffee tastes better but that could be psychological
EdChum
CC BY-SA 3.0
2015-01-27T21:03:42.773Z
2015-01-27T21:03:42.773Z
2020-06-18T08:36:22.093Z
Joshua Aslan Smith
<p>Just to provide more information to reaffirm @joshua's answer, there is an entire book that talks about this topic: <a href="https://eustore.sca.coffee/products/book-water-for-coffee?variant=5081224388" rel="nofollow noreferrer">Water For Coffee - Maxwell Colonna-Dashwood &amp; Christopher H. Hendon</a> with scientifical arguments.</p>

<p>On the other hand, <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2EonB3ZipSs" rel="nofollow noreferrer">La Marzocco's Reverse Osmosis System</a> provides proper water for their espresso machines, another reason that makes clear that water is really a thing on coffee.</p>

CC BY-SA 3.0
2016-05-13T19:34:40.077Z
Omar, did you read this book? If yes, do you recommend it? If it is valuable you may want to mention it on [this question](http://coffee.stackexchange.com/questions/2772/which-books-do-you-recommend-to-read-for-people-who-are-interested-in-coffee) where I'm trying to compile a list.
MTSan
CC BY-SA 4.0
2019-10-31T20:16:55.430Z
The link to that book is broken now.
Ukko
CC BY-SA 4.0
2019-11-22T15:37:02.973Z
@Ukko I just updated the link.
Omar Miranda
CC BY-SA 4.0
2016-05-03T18:42:05.210Z
2019-11-22T15:36:44.160Z
2019-11-22T15:36:44.160Z
Omar Miranda
<p>I live in a hard water area and when brewing English Tea I can <em>definitely</em> taste and see the difference when compared to where I'm from, which is a soft water area.</p>

<p><strong>Does the hardness of the water matter when making coffee, too?</strong></p>

<p>For instance, whether or not the taste is more or less intense depending on the hardness of the water. I haven't noticed but I would think it does affect the flavor.</p>

<p>I'd be interested in a <strong>scientific/objective view</strong>. As of now, I use bottled water in my kettle.</p>

CC BY-SA 3.0
2017-03-12T05:20:29.773Z
Some coffee shop owners felt the water mineral variability problem (soft vs hard etc) was important enough to tackle that they recently launched [Third Wave Water](http://www.thirdwavewater.com) a product that re-adds minerals to distilled water for a consistent brewing experience.  I haven't used it yet myself but have heard good things from baristas in the know.
Taylor D. Edmiston
<flavor><brewing-process>
Does the hardness of water matter when making coffee?
EdChum
# Does the hardness of water matter when making coffee?

(Asked by: username_0 on 2015-01-27)

I live in a hard water area and when brewing English Tea I can *definitely* taste and see the difference when compared to where I'm from, which is a soft water area.

**Does the hardness of the water matter when making coffee, too?**

For instance, whether or not the taste is more or less intense depending on the hardness of the water. I haven't noticed but I would think it does affect the flavor.

I'd be interested in a **scientific/objective view**. As of now, I use bottled water in my kettle.

**Tags:** flavor, brewing-process

> **Comments:**
> **username_1**: Some coffee shop owners felt the water mineral variability problem (soft vs hard etc) was important enough to tackle that they recently launched [Third Wave Water](http://www.thirdwavewater.com) a product that re-adds minerals to distilled water for a consistent brewing experience.  I haven't used it yet myself but have heard good things from baristas in the know.  

---

## 2 answers

### Answer by username_2 on 2015-01-27. Score: 23 | Accepted answer

**Yes.**

That is to say it will definitely affect flavor, but how it affects the flavor is ultimately dependent upon the specific mineral compounds found in your hard water vs. other hard waters and soft water's lack of these compounds.

> Here's the key: Some of the compounds in hard water are "sticky," glomming onto certain compounds in coffee when they meet (in your coffeemaker). The more eugenol the water hangs on to, for example, the woodsier the taste of your coffee will be.
>
> Magnesium is particularly sticky, meaning water that's high in magnesium will make coffee with a stronger flavor (and higher levels of caffeine). Hard water can also have high levels of bicarbonate, though, which Hendon found could lead to more bitter flavors coming through. - A Chemist Has Uncovered A Secret To Brewing Delicious Coffee At Home [*Business Insider*](http://www.businessinsider.com/a-chemist-has-uncovered-a-secret-to-delicious-coffee-2014-6#ixzz3Q3ecJSgz).

So depending on flavor preferences you might prefer your hard water at home but dislike it at work or simply prefer soft water altogether. Traditionally hard water is actually sought after for other beverage processes like beer brewing because of some of the abilities described above.

> **Comments:**
> **username_0**: That's interesting I have noticed that since using bottled water in my kettle that my coffee tastes better but that could be psychological  
> **username_3**: @username_0 What is the mineral content of your bottled water? Is it from a natural spring source? Is it treated with anything?  
> **username_0**: @PatrickSebastien my bottled water is the supermarket's own brand still water which is the cheapest in the UK, I did try a branded one which probably because it was more expensive actually left residue similar to my tap water  
> **username_4**: There are several news articles across the web that actually prove why places such as NY/Seattle have the best coffee - they have the "best" water; the hardness level is much lower than midwest/southern states.  http://www.theatlantic.com/science/archive/2016/04/coffee-scientist/480015/  

---

### Answer by username_5 on 2016-05-03. Score: 5

Just to provide more information to reaffirm @joshua's answer, there is an entire book that talks about this topic: [Water For Coffee - Maxwell Colonna-Dashwood & Christopher H. Hendon](https://eustore.sca.coffee/products/book-water-for-coffee?variant=5081224388) with scientifical arguments.

On the other hand, [La Marzocco's Reverse Osmosis System](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2EonB3ZipSs) provides proper water for their espresso machines, another reason that makes clear that water is really a thing on coffee.

> **Comments:**
> **username_6**: Omar, did you read this book? If yes, do you recommend it? If it is valuable you may want to mention it on [this question](http://coffee.stackexchange.com/questions/2772/which-books-do-you-recommend-to-read-for-people-who-are-interested-in-coffee) where I'm trying to compile a list.  
> **username_7**: The link to that book is broken now.  
> **username_5**: @username_7 I just updated the link.  

---

