Description
The Secret Ingredient
When evaluating coffee, precision matters. Yet even during professional cupping sessions, the one ingredient that makes up nearly the entire cup is often overlooked: water. Inconsistent mineral balance can alter perception, mute clarity or exaggerate acidity or bitterness, making objective comparison difficult. The mineral composition of brewing water directly influences how the flavour profile being evaluated during a cupping session is perceived in the cup.
Cupping Brewing Water
Each type of coffee brewing method needs its own water. Coffee Elixir – Cupping brewing water is formulated to align with widely recognised cupping water recommendations by the Specialty Coffee Association (SCA), targeting approximately 60 ppm total hardness and 40 ppm alkalinity. Chlorides are excluded, and sodium levels are calibrated at approximately 10 mg/L to remain within recognised cupping recommendations and avoid interference with flavour perception. The formulation follows established recommendations while also reflecting contemporary sensory practices favouring softer, magnesium-dominant mineral profiles for enhanced transparency and differentiation. The result is a neutral and stable foundation for sensory evaluation — supporting clarity and balance without imposing character of its own.
A Stable Ground For Comparison
Cupping is about comparing coffees, not comparing water. By providing a consistent mineral baseline, this formulation helps maintain comparability across different roasters, origins and roast profiles. It allows subtle differences between samples to remain clear and interpretable, session after session.
The Ease Of Use
You don’t have to be a chemist to meticulously calculate hardness and alkalinity levels. Just add 1 ml per litre from each of the two bottles (2 ml total per litre) to demineralized, distilled or reverse osmosis water, and mix. The measuring spoons are included in the box, so you can focus on cupping, not measuring.
Essence & Harmony
The formulation embraces the duality of Essence and Harmony — two complementary forces unified into a balanced whole. This design ensures stability while allowing controlled adjustment when desired.
Can I dissolve it in filtered water?
We recommend using fully demineralized, distilled or reverse osmosis water for consistent results. Standard filtration does not completely remove existing minerals and may lead to unpredictable taste. We can recommend our Zero Water Jugs as an easy and more environment friendly way to demineralize your tap water at home.
How is the Elixir different from the powdered version?
The Elixir builds upon our original mineral concept with a broader and more nuanced mineral composition. By embracing a dual-bottle structure, it offers increased flexibility and fine-tuning potential while maintaining simplicity, stability and consistency.
Can I mix it in any bottle?
For the best results, use clean glass or food-grade containers. Avoid reusing bottles that may retain odours from previous contents.
