How to Maximize Water Quality and Consistency for Your Coffee
For most people, the day doesn't start until they have a cup of coffee. But have you ever stopped to think about the role that water plays in your daily cup? The water you use makes up around 98% of your coffee, making it a crucial factor in determining the quality and consistency of your brew. Whether you're a coffee lover or a barista, understanding how to maximize water quality and consistency can make a world of difference in the taste and aroma of your coffee. In this 787 Coffee blog post, we'll explore proven ways to ensure that your coffee water is perfect for brewing a great cup of coffee.
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Understanding Water Hardness
The hardness of your water is a crucial aspect of your coffee brewing process. Water hardness refers to the level of mineral content, specifically magnesium and calcium, in your water. Water with high mineral content is considered hard, while water with low mineral content is considered soft. Hard water is known to extract more flavor from coffee beans, but too much of it can lead to over-extraction and bitterness in your coffee. The ideal level of water hardness for brewing coffee is around 150 parts per million (ppm). You can calculate your water hardness using water test strips or reach out to your local water utility provider for a water quality report.
Filtering Your Water
Filtering your water can have a significant impact on the quality and consistency of your coffee. Filtering removes impurities from your water, such as chlorine and other chemicals that can negatively affect the taste and aroma of your coffee. A good filtration system will ensure that the water you use in your coffee brewing process is pure and clean, providing you with a better coffee experience.
Using the Right Water Temperature
Knowing the optimal temperature of your coffee brewing water is essential for consistency. The ideal temperature for brewing coffee falls between 195-205°F. If your water is too hot, it can over-extract the coffee, causing bitterness. Conversely, if your water is too cold, it can under-extract the coffee, leading to a weak and underwhelming taste. Consistently maintaining the right water temperature will result in a more balanced and enjoyable cup of coffee.
Paying Attention to Water-to-Coffee Ratio
The ratio of water to coffee is a critical factor in a consistent brew. Using too much water or too little coffee can result in an underwhelming cup. On the other hand, using too much coffee or too little water can lead to a bitter and unpleasant taste. The ideal water-to-coffee ratio is 1:18. For every gram of coffee, you should use 18 grams of water. Measuring your ingredients precisely and using a kitchen scale can ensure a consistent coffee brew every time.
The Importance of Cleanliness
The cleanliness of your water equipment can also have a significant impact on the taste and consistency of your coffee. Any build-up of limescale, coffee oils, or mold can negatively affect the quality of brewed coffee. Regular cleaning with a descaling agent or white vinegar can help remove mineral build-up and remove any impurities. Ensure that you are cleaning your equipment as per the manufacturer's instructions.
And voila —
In summary, the quality and consistency of your coffee water can make a significant difference in the taste and aroma of your coffee. By understanding water hardness, filtering your water, using the right water temperature, paying attention to water-to-coffee ratio, and ensuring equipment cleanliness, you can maximize the quality and consistency of your coffee. By taking the time to implement these simple steps, you can elevate your coffee experience and brew a great cup of coffee, every time!
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5 lb Single Origin Coffee Beans — Puerto Rico Supremo, Mexico, or Colombia
The Big Bag is 5 lb of single origin specialty coffee from one place, never blended, roasted to order and shipped free. Choose Puerto Rico Supremo grown on our own farm, or single origin Mexico or Colombia, in whole bean or ground. It's the same coffee we serve in our 34 cafés across New York, New Jersey, Texas, Puerto Rico, Mexico City, and Miami, in a bag built for people who make a lot of coffee.
Why buy a 5 lb bag of coffee
A 5 lb bag makes about 150 to 200 cups. That's a month or more for most households and two to three weeks for an office of ten. Buying coffee in bulk means a better price per pound than 12 oz bags, fewer boxes at your door, and no more running out on a Wednesday morning. Every Big Bag ships free and comes in a resealable zipper bag with a one-way valve, so the beans stay fresh from the first cup to the last.
If you brew for an office, a restaurant, a church, a studio, a fire station, or a house full of coffee drinkers, this is the bag.
Three single origins. You pick.
Single origin means every bean in the bag comes from one farm or one growing region, with full traceability. No blending, no mystery beans. Choose your origin at checkout:
Puerto Rico Supremo — Our flagship. Grown at 3,000 feet on Hacienda Iluminada, our own farm in Maricao, Puerto Rico, and honey-processed for natural sweetness. Smooth medium roast with notes of dark chocolate, buttery caramel, citrus, and honey. Naturally low in acidity, the way Puerto Rican coffee is known for. $38 per pound.
Mexico — Single origin Mexican coffee we source directly from [region] and roast in small batches. [Roast level] with notes of [tasting notes]. A smooth, balanced daily cup that works in any brewer. $__ per pound.
Colombia — Single origin Colombian coffee from [region]. [Roast level] with notes of [tasting notes]. Full-bodied and dependable, the classic choice for offices and drip brewers. $__ per pound.
Why 787 Coffee is different
Less than 1% of coffee shops in the world own a farm. We do. Our Puerto Rican coffee is not imported. We grow it, harvest it, process it, roast it, and serve it ourselves, which is what farm-to-cup means at 787 Coffee. That's the quality that earned us #3 Best Coffee Shop in New York City and #32 in North America on the World's 100 Best Coffee Shops 2026.
Roasted to order. Every bag is roasted in small batches after you order and ships within days. You get a roast date, not a best-by date, and you'll never receive coffee that sat in a warehouse.
Specialty grade. Our coffee is specialty-grade Arabica, the top tier of coffee sold anywhere in the world.
Sustainably sourced. Every bag supports coffee-growing communities in Puerto Rico, Mexico, and Colombia.
When you buy this bag, you plant a coffee tree. Every 5 lb bag funds one new tree at Hacienda Iluminada in Maricao, so your morning coffee is growing the next harvest.
Whole bean or ground
Whole bean stays freshest if you have a grinder. If you don't, we grind to order for your brewer:
Drip — medium grind for automatic drip coffee makers, airpots, and commercial brewers
Espresso — fine grind for espresso machines
French press — coarse grind for French press and cold brew
Not sure? Choose whole bean. It keeps longer, and any grinder will do.
Made for offices, cafés, and big households
The Big Bag is our most popular size for workplaces. Set up a subscription and it arrives on your schedule at 7% off every delivery, with no contract, and you can pause or cancel anytime. Cafés and restaurants ordering regularly can apply for wholesale pricing on our wholesale page.
It also makes a serious gift for the coffee drinker who has everything.
How to store 5 lb of coffee
Keep it in the resealable bag with the zipper closed, away from heat, light, and moisture. Don't refrigerate or freeze it. Coffee is at its best within a month of the roast date, which is why we roast to order instead of stocking shelves.
Specifications
Size: 5 lb (80 oz / 2.27 kg)
Type: 100% single origin specialty-grade Arabica
Origins: Puerto Rico (Hacienda Iluminada, Maricao), Mexico, Colombia
Roast: Medium (Puerto Rico Supremo); [Mexico]; [Colombia]
Process: Honey-processed (Puerto Rico Supremo)
Grind: Whole bean, drip, espresso, or French press
Packaging: Resealable zipper bag with one-way valve
Shipping: Free, roasted to order
Subscription: Save 7% on every delivery
Frequently asked questions
How many cups of coffee does a 5 lb bag make?
About 150 to 200 cups, depending on how strong you brew. At 2 tablespoons per cup, most households get 4 to 6 weeks. An office of 10 goes through it in 2 to 3 weeks.
Is this a blend?
No. Every Big Bag is 100% single origin. You choose one origin and that's the only coffee in the bag.
What is the best coffee to buy online in bulk?
Coffee that's roasted to order by the people who grow it. The Big Bag is grown on our own farm in Puerto Rico, roasted after you order, and shipped within days, which is what makes fresh coffee taste fresh.
What does Puerto Rican coffee taste like?
Smooth, full-bodied, and low in acidity, with notes of dark chocolate, caramel, honey, and subtle citrus. Puerto Rico Supremo is honey-processed, meaning the sweet fruit mucilage stays on the bean while it dries in the sun, so the sugars go into the coffee.
Which origin should I choose?
Puerto Rico Supremo for our signature farm-grown coffee. Mexico and Colombia are smooth, dependable daily drinkers that work well for offices and larger groups.
Is 787 Coffee specialty coffee?
Yes. Our coffee is specialty-grade Arabica, and 787 Coffee is ranked #3 in New York City on the World's 100 Best Coffee Shops 2026.
How much is it per pound?
Puerto Rico Supremo is $38 per pound. Mexico is $__ and Colombia is $__. Every 5 lb bag ships free.
Is a 5 lb bag good for an office?
Yes. It's our most popular size for offices, cafés, and restaurants. Subscribe and it arrives on a schedule at 7% off.
Whole bean or ground?
Whole bean if you have a grinder. Otherwise choose the grind for your brewer: drip, espresso, or French press.
Do you ship fresh?
Yes. Every bag is roasted to order and ships within days of roasting.
Can I subscribe?
Yes. Subscriptions save 7% on every delivery, and you can pause or cancel anytime.
What happens when I buy this bag?
You plant a tree. Every 5 lb bag funds one new coffee tree at Hacienda Iluminada, our farm in Maricao, Puerto Rico.
Do you offer wholesale?
Yes. Cafés and restaurants can apply on our wholesale page.
787 Coffee A From Farm to Cup Coffee Experience .
A dream becomes a reality…
In 2014 we started with a coffee farm, Hacienda Iluminada, dreaming to grow specialty coffee.
Learning all things coffee.
Hustling to take Puerto Rican Coffee to where it once was - a TOP coffee producer.
2023 - Because of the support of our caffeinated customers 787 Coffee now has 25 coffee shop locations and growing.
Thank YOU!