The Mistake You're Making With Your Coffee Machine

Coffee is one of the most consumed drinks in the world with over 400 billion cups drank a year, reports Esquires Coffee. It's an old morning tradition. You wake up, groggy and crusty-eyed, only to drink that magical elixir that gives exactly enough energy to remind you that you're alive. But unlike tea, coffee is comparatively new in the scope of history, having only been around since its discovery in Ethiopia in the ninth century (via Espresso International).

Luckily, coffee is pretty good for you — in moderation, of course. The drink is full of beneficial antioxidants and is considered one of the healthiest drinks, if you don't drown it in cream and sugar (via Esquires Coffee). Studies show that there may be a link between longevity and coffee consumption. That being said, coffee is derived from perfectly ground beans and water. And the water portion is arguably the most important aspect of your beverage. Depending on how much you use and what temperature it is, water can greatly affect the concentration and the flavor of the drink.

If you haven't been trained as a barista, messing up the amount (and temperature) of water you need for the type of coffee you want can be all too easy. If your coffee machine gives you the option to adjust its settings, Coffee Circle recommends using 1.2 fluid ounces (35 mL) of water per espresso shot and setting the water temperature to 203 degrees Fahrenheit (95 degrees Celsius).

However, if you tend to drink more than one cup of joe at the beginning of your day and think that adding more water into the machine is the simplest solution, think again. To get a larger cup of coffee, Coffee Circle suggests that instead of watering down your coffee — and releasing unpalatable flavors — increase both the amount of coffee and the water used to get a larger amount of great-tasting coffee.

Ultimately, water has a massive influence on the taste and intensity of your brew and makes up over 90% of the drink, so it is imperative that you learn how to use this ingredient correctly for the best quality beverage (via Bloom Coffee).