Can you use distilled water for making coffee and tea?
You can, but it is not ideal. Distilled water has had its minerals removed, and the minerals (mainly calcium and magnesium) help extract flavor, so coffee made with distilled water often tastes flat. For better coffee, use filtered or lightly mineralized water, or add a mineral product made for brewing. Some espresso machine makers advise against pure distilled water.
Free download
Juice, Soda and Water Storage Chart (PDF): How long juice, soda, coconut water and bottled water last, opened and unopened. 19 rows, each with its source.
Thank you
Your chart is ready
We use your email only for this download.Also free:
Home Bar Storage Chart (PDF)Milk and Dairy Storage Chart (PDF)Coffee, Tea and Hot Drinks Storage Chart (PDF)Drink Strength, Calories and Units Cheat Sheet (PDF)Want the full pack? About 10 printable sheets: a larger chart for each drink type, a “has it gone off?” checklist, date labels, a party planner and an inventory sheet.
In this article
Can you use distilled water for coffee?
Yes, it is safe to drink, but the taste is often poor. Distilled water is almost free of minerals, and calcium and magnesium help pull flavor out of coffee grounds. Coffee sites commonly describe distilled-water coffee as flat, thin or under-extracted, though they differ on the exact mechanism.
What water is best for coffee?
The Specialty Coffee Association gives targets for brewing water. As summarized by one coffee site, they are total hardness of 50 to 175 ppm as calcium carbonate, carbonate hardness of 40 to 75 ppm, and a pH of 6.5 to 8. Distilled water is far below these. Very hard water is the opposite problem: it can taste dull and leave limescale in machines.
| Water | Typical result |
|---|---|
| Distilled, deionized | Often flat or thin; little scale in the machine |
| Filtered tap, moderate minerals | Usually the best everyday choice |
| Very hard tap water | Dull taste, limescale build up |
What about tea?
Tea is generally considered more forgiving than coffee. Distilled water is acceptable for tea, though some people find the taste a bit flat. Try it next to your usual water and judge for yourself.
How can you fix distilled water for coffee?
- Mix distilled water 50-50 with filtered tap water.
- Use a mineral packet sold for coffee brewing and follow its directions.
- Use a filter jug and test a small batch.
Should you use distilled water in an espresso machine?
Check the manual. Some machines use sensors that need some mineral content in the water, and some makers and retailers warn that pure distilled water can cause sensor problems or corrosion. Follow your maker’s guidance for water type and descaling.
This is practical guidance; taste is personal, so test and compare.
People also ask
Is distilled water bad for coffee?
It is safe but often gives flat coffee because it has no minerals to help extraction.
Can I use distilled water for tea?
Yes. It is more forgiving than coffee, though taste can seem flat.
What water do coffee experts recommend?
Clean water with moderate minerals, about 50 to 175 ppm total hardness and a pH of 6.5 to 8, according to SCA targets.
Sources
About · How we verify this · Editorial policy · Corrections
What would help you most next?
One tap. Anonymous. It helps us decide what to build.
Thank you. The free charts above are yours to keep.
