by L Landon Easley

Created on: September 22, 2007   Last Updated: June 14, 2011

This question has several implications. When I answer yes I'm saying filtered water always improves the taste of coffee and tea. Since I do not believe that, then I do not think it would actually improve the taste of coffee or tea every time. There would be several factors to consider when researching this question. They would include the water source, the type of coffee or tea used, the brewing process and of course the individual's taste buds. A few ideas also to consider would be that some coffees may taste better or worse with a few more minerals in the water, you just don't know until you've tried it. For example, a great Kenya AA coffee bean roasted, ground and brewed with fresh California well water might just be the magic mix of great taste and then the answer to this important question would be a resounding NO. Because the drink in this example tastes the same when filtered or not.

On the other hand, if I answer No to the question, then someone who is using bad tasting water to brew their drink, will say Yes, filtered water does improve the taste in my house.

Then we must consider the brewing process and each individual's taste buds. An individual may not care if the very hot water in their coffee or tea is filtered, so they would answer no it does not improve the taste. In either case, I am an optimist and said yes because when you use filtered water it will give you a more consistent taste with your coffee and tea. And as you know, consistency is extremely important when serving yourself, your friends or the public sector coffee or tea. When I order a latte I want it to taste exactly the same each time I order it and statistics and sales prove that you do too. Starbuck's discovered this secret of consistency and opened hundreds of stores in just the past few years . If you want the most delicious coffee you can possibly get, my word of wisdom about coffee is this: first be consistent and remember the closer you get the roast to the grind to the brew, the better the coffee and tea you will have. Filtered water will help that process.

Since we have discussed the water source, the type of coffee or tea used, the brewing process and of course the individual's taste buds, then through this process we have discovered that there are a few things to a good cup of coffee or tea that are more important than filtering the water. Those include using good water to start with and being consistent with the process.

Therefore I will conclude with this. In order to have the best cup of Joe or tea possible, YES, you should filter your water, because it will be more consistent and improve the taste of your coffee and tea.

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