Whenever I recommend people brew tea and coffee with filtered water most people respond: but the quality of tap water here is excellent.
That may very well be true, but filtering tap water does something else important: it takes out excessive calcium.
Tap water that comes from ground sources (Berlin, for example) contains a large amount of calcium. This is what makes the water “hard”. This is what causes the chunky calcium build up you see on the exterior of faucets and inside water kettles coffee makers (see previous post).
Simple home water filters (Brita) take out the excessive calcium.
But you MUST replace these filters on a regular basis (usually monthly). With regular usage the filtering materials inside absorb less and less calcium and will no longer be effective. There’s nothing worse than opening someone’s refrigerator and having no idea when the filter was last replaced.
Your tea and coffee experience will improve with filtered the water. The brew will feel different on the tongue and you’ll notice greater range in depth in flavor.
Filter you water. You deserve it.
