Got weird looks at a local roastery for asking about their water

I went to that small roastery on 12th street last Saturday and asked the barista what water they use for brewing. He gave me this look like I asked for his firstborn child, then mumbled something about a special filter system. Anyone else run into coffee shops that act like water chemistry is some big secret?

3 comments

3 Comments

iris9271mo ago

Wait, do these places think they're guarding the nuclear codes or something? I asked a shop on Elm once what their brew ratio was for pourover and the barista literally whispered "we don't share that". Like come on, it's coffee not a state secret. Water chemistry is half the battle for a good cup, so acting all mysterious about it just makes you look silly. I'd rather go somewhere that's happy to talk about their process than deal with that kind of attitude.

spencer7821mo ago

You ever get the feeling some shops treat their water recipe like a trade secret? It's annoying but mostly because they act weird about it. Third wave coffee places get really precious about that stuff. Try asking what TDS level they aim for next time. If they still clam up, it's probably not worth going back anyway.

rose_reed1mo ago

Exactly. Its just water and coffee grounds at the end of the day. Acting all secretive about it makes them look like theyre hiding something mediocre. Most good shops will happily talk ratios and temps because theyre proud of their process. If they get weird about it the coffee is probably not that great anyway. Just go somewhere else where theyre actually nice.