Tap Water for Hot Drinks? Stop What You’re Brewing!
Year after year, pumpkin lattes and chamomile teas help us welcome in the winter with flavor and spice and everything nice. They remind us of home. And speaking of home, have you ever wondered why the hot drinks you make at home never taste as good as the ones you get in cafés?
While it’s true that there’s no replacement for a high-end espresso machine, it isn’t the only reason coffees and teas taste better at specialty shops. The main reason your home-brewed beverages can fall flat is simple. You’re using the wrong water.
It’s no secret. Unfiltered tap water can really alter the taste of your brews. Connoisseurs and business owners know that the best-tasting hot beverages are brewed using only the best water. And now you know it, too.
Tap Water Is Chemically Treated, Mineral Rich Water
Tap water contains a long list of contaminants that can tarnish the taste of your favorite hot drinks. Chlorine, fluorines, sodium, and other residual sediments are not doing you any favors in the flavor department. Hard water also adds to the trouble. For tea and coffee, the ideal pH balance is a neutral 7. Not too hard, not too soft. And zero chloramines, pesticides, or other toxins. And what about your pipes? You definitely don’t want any heavy metals, rust, or corrosion getting in your mugs.
We’ve all learned about the recent water contamination events around the country. Clearly, the government is prone to occasional “mishaps” regarding our water sanitation. Are you still willing to take their word for it when it comes to water cleanliness?
Tap Water Causes Scale Build-Up On Appliances
Over time, scale and other mineral deposits can accumulate on metal, causing erosion and rust. It will also taint the flavors of drinks as they are being brewed. If you’ve invested in a pricey espresso maker or tea kettle, filtered water will do wonders for keeping your appliances in good working order. Fortunately, a water filter and softener can help. By reducing the mineral content of tap water, you’ll have less scale, longer-lasting equipment, and better-tasting drinks.
Whole-House Water Filtration Systems Will Get You Back To Brewing
Whole-house filtration systems are easy to install and simple to
maintain. Additionally, whole-house systems eliminate the need for Brita-type filters or bottled water. With filtered water, you’ll never have to worry about what’s in your cup.
So the next time you are craving that ginger-lemon tea or a nice hot cup of jack-o-lantern joe, make it with filtered water. Clean, balanced water will always make a better batch of brew.