As a child, I loved putting hot coffee on my tongue. My mom would always tell me off and say that I was going to burn myself, but I never listened. Until one day, when I actually did burn my tongue. It wasn’t fun. How hot is coffee supposed to be? Let’s find out!
Nowadays, there’s a lot of debate over what the perfect temperature for coffee should be. Some people like it piping hot while others prefer it lukewarm. Personally, I think it depends on the type of coffee you’re drinking and your own personal preferences.
If you want to get the most out of your cup of joe, make sure you know how hot is coffee supposed to be before taking a sip!
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How Hot Is Coffee Supposed To Be? Here’s The ideal Temperature
Neon light in the over-large coffee shop window is advertising ” Piping Hot Coffee.” Most of us wonder, however, if “piping” really is the best term to describe this drink.
Don’t drink coffee that is so hot that it burns your tongue.
So, how “hot” should your coffee be? Today I will reveal to you what (if not “boiling”) is the appropriate serving temperature for coffee.
Coffee Brewing Temperatures VS Serving Temperatures
So let’s get this straight: the water temperature for brewing coffee is different from the water temp for drinking it!
This may seem obvious, but many people don’t realize that coffee is typically brewed at 195–205 degrees Fahrenheit. This is hotter than the temperature at which a Mcdonalds’ Quarter Pounder with Cheese will melt.
If you’re not making cold brew coffee or competing in the World AeroPress Championship, your serving temperature will be lower than your coffee brewing temperature.
How Low Do You Go?
Before you think that I am telling you to drink coffee, don’t worry, because I would never tell you to do something so ridiculous.
While there is some research on how the temperature of food affects its flavor, there is no conclusive proof.
A few studies have found that taste is affected by temperature. For example, sweetness and bitterness are more apparent at warmer temps, while saltiness and acidity are more evident at colder ones.
According to coffee experts, drinking beverages at high temperatures can lessen the taste of the drink, and make it harder to distinguish different coffee flavors.
If you want your coffee to taste sweet, serve it at a high temperature. But be careful, because if you heat it too much, you’ll lose the flavor of the coffee beans.
How Hot Is Coffee – Not Too Low
Though the researchers were unable to determine an ideal drinking temperature of coffee, we can look to experts like baristas, who are constantly experimenting with their brewing methods.
Coffee should be served at around 180–185°F, according to the National Coffee Association of the USA. This is just slightly lower than the standard brew temperature, so it’s nothing to worry about.
The folks at coffeedetective.com think that this temperature is too hot.
They suggest 155–175°F for the optimal coffee brewing temperature.
It makes sense that using low temperatures during the brewing process can bring out the flavor of the coffee bean.
… Just Low Enough
Some people suggest that even 155°F is too high for brewing coffee.
Some prefer their coffees to be between 120–140 degrees Fahrenheit, arguing that this temperature allows them to enjoy the subtle flavors of the drink.
They maintain that at 120–140° F, the otherwise overlooked notes of the sweet and acidic flavors are more pronounced.
For those dedicated to the science of coffee, it is important to note that the density of coffee compared to pure water increases as the temperature decreases. This change in density can impact the flavor profile of your coffee, making lower temperatures ideal for highlighting delicate flavors like sweetness.
Interestingly, this suggestion also correlates with the scientific information I discussed earlier: lower temperatures enable sour bitter notes to be more distinct, while higher temperatures can obscure a drink’s more subtle flavors, such as sweetness.
Cooling Down Coffee
Did you ever burn your tongue while drinking coffee? You don’t have to. If your coffee is too hot to drink, you can cool it down by:
- Blowing on it
- Adding milk
- Stirring it
- Pouring between cups
If you find these methods of cooling your coffee ineffective, you can wait for it to cool naturally. No coffee lover is capable of waiting that long.
Before tasting coffee, it’s important to know how hot it is to avoid mouth burns. However when you get the burns from hot coffee, here are self-care remedies:
Treatment For Burnt Tongue
Because there is a lot of blood flowing through the tongue, it doesn’t take long for burns to heal. To get the best results, you should avoid eating hot foods and drinks until your tongue heals. There are a few simple ways to manage the pain until your tongue heals.
Avoid Hot Food & Beverages
Although it may seem obvious, avoiding hot food is one of the best ways to keep your tongue from getting burned and prevent further damage. This does not mean only avoiding hot drinks. It also includes spicy and acidic foods like tomatoes and citrus.
These foods will further aggravate your tongue. Tobacco and alcohol can also cause tissue damage.
Saltwater Rinse
Add a tablespoon of salt to a cup of warm water. Then, hold the mixture in your mouth for a few seconds, before you spit it out. This will prevent bacteria and infection from getting into your body and causing other problems.
These are just a few ways to treat a mouth burn until it heals. There are many more options, so choose the one that suits you best.
How Hot Is Coffee – Conclusion
No matter what your preference is, it’s important to know how hot is coffee before taking a sip. This way, you can enjoy the rich flavor of your coffee without burning your tongue.