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Sca Standards

2 articles

Editorial illustration for Sour, Bitter, or Flat? Diagnosing Your Coffee's Water Problem Before You Blame the Beans
Drinks

Sour, Bitter, or Flat? Diagnosing Your Coffee's Water Problem Before You Blame the Beans

If your coffee tastes off, the problem might be your water, not your beans. This guide explains how water hardness and alkalinity affect flavor and provides a framework to diagnose and correct common coffee defects.

Shira Golan·October 31, 2026
Editorial illustration for Hardness and Alkalinity: The Two Water Numbers That Decide How Your Coffee Tastes
Drinks

Hardness and Alkalinity: The Two Water Numbers That Decide How Your Coffee Tastes

Water's hardness and alkalinity are the key factors determining coffee flavor, influencing extraction and acidity. Understanding these parameters and the SCA standards allows for precise adjustments to fix taste defects and optimize your brew.

Shira Golan·October 18, 2026