Third Wave Water Has Arrived, But Is It Worth Your Time?

Coffee culture has no shortage of fresh gimmicks, and one of the latest creating ripples in the market is known as third wave water. Can this bring any benefits to your cafe business and is it actually worth your investment?

It seems obvious that using higher quality water will improve the taste of your drinks, but now that coffee-optimised water is dipping its toe in the market, should you be ordering up capsules by the dozen or has coffee snobbery gone too far?

What Is Third Wave Water?

Already heavily satirised, third wave water is a company providing water capsules (currently in the form of pre-production samples) which are designed to ensure the perfect balance of minerals in your brewing water, supposed to optimise the taste of your coffee.

When you buy any commercial coffee machine, you'll be advised that using filtered water is essential not just for the taste but to keep your appliance ticking over smoothly and to reduce service costs. So, when using water capsules could there really be a discernible difference in the taste? What could these capsules possibly do that your water inlet filter can't?

Article: If you're wondering about the term 'waves' related to coffee, read more in our article on What Are Coffee Waves?

Put To The Test

So far, even professional coffee cuppers have struggled to tell the difference when comparing third wave water with filtered water.
Feedback from several coffee 'cuppers' confirms that the capsule-treated water brings out more sweetness and brightness of the coffees, but could your average customer spot it?

For the home brewer then, using third wave water may be something to experiment with at least, but as a cafe owner there is surely not enough evidence to suggest its inclusion in your coffee making process. Thankfully however, there are far more cost-effective ways to improve your water quality..

TIP: If you are still considering using capsules then try installing a magnesium filter cartridge under your sink first. It costs roughly a tenth of the price of third wave water.

What's The Alternative?

As the benefits of third wave water are quite underwhelming, there are several techniques which will ensure your brewing water is of the highest quality so you can keep producing those speciality coffees:

1. Purchase a coffee machine with a powerful internal filter. Jura's coffee machines for instance, use a filter that removes chlorine, lead, copper aluminium and up to 75% of limescale even in hard water areas. There's no need for servicing either, simply replace the filters and continue producing barista-style coffee all day long.

2. Descale your machine regularly. Handy sachets of descaler can also be used in water boilers and dispensers, they'll help to preserve the lifepsan of your machines whilst ensuring consistently high water quality.

3. Clean with industrial tools and specialist formulas. Designed for professional machines, using an espresso machine cleaner will rid heads, valves and lines from any residue and keep your brewing water at its best. You can also tackle hardened, stubborn coffee grinds with a stiff head cleaning brush. This is ideal for using in those areas no descaling programs can reach, around the spouts, for example. You'll be able to taste the difference instantly when you next brew, and you can be sure your customers will too.

4. Decalcify your water filter and internal chambers with vinegar, which acts as a natural fungicide. This form of treatment should never replace you normal descaling operation but both together will help improve your water quality.