When you think about making a great cup of coffee, your mind probably goes straight to the beans, grind size, or brewing method. But there’s one essential ingredient that often gets overlooked — water.
Since coffee is made up of more than 98% water, the quality of that water can make or break your brew.
This brings up a common question among coffee lovers:
Can you use distilled water for coffee?
Let’s dig into what makes distilled water different, how it affects flavor, and why most baristas and experts say no — you shouldn’t use it for brewing.
What Is Distilled Water?
Distilled water is the purest form of water you can get. It’s made through a process called distillation, where water is boiled into steam and then condensed back into liquid form, leaving behind minerals, salts, and impurities.
In short, distilled water is pure H₂O, meaning all minerals (like calcium and magnesium) have been removed. While that sounds great for cleanliness, it actually works against good coffee.
The result?
A type of water that’s completely clean — free of calcium, magnesium, and any other dissolved solids.
This might sound ideal, but when it comes to coffee brewing, this purity can actually work against you.
Distilled water vs. other types:
- Filtered water – Removes contaminants but keeps healthy minerals.
- Spring water – Naturally mineral-rich, giving a balanced taste.
- RO (Reverse Osmosis) water – Very clean, but can be too low in minerals unless remineralized.
Also Read: Can I Use a Paper Towel as a Coffee Filter? (Here’s What You Should Know)
Can You Use Distilled Water for Coffee?
Short answer: Technically yes — you can use distilled water to brew coffee.
But if you’re after flavorful, well-balanced coffee, it’s not recommended for most brewers or home coffee makers.
Here’s why:
- Lack of minerals affects extraction:
Coffee needs minerals like magnesium and calcium to extract its full range of flavors. Without them, you get weak, underdeveloped notes. - Leads to dull, lifeless taste:
Distilled water produces coffee that tastes flat and lacks the aroma or body you’d expect from a good brew. - Not suitable for most machines:
Distilled water can actually damage certain coffee machines — especially those with metal components or sensors like Keurig or drip brewers.
While a few exceptions exist — such as espresso setups or lab-style brewing where minerals are added back manually — for everyday brewing, distilled water simply doesn’t deliver the right taste or performance.
✅ So, the simple answer: No, you shouldn’t use distilled water for coffee.
How Water Minerals Affect Coffee Flavor
Minerals are the invisible heroes of a good cup of coffee. Elements like magnesium and calcium help extract coffee’s aromatic compounds and balance its acidity and sweetness.
When water is completely stripped of minerals, as in distilled water, coffee extraction becomes inconsistent. You might notice it tastes bitter, flat, or hollow — because there’s nothing in the water for the flavor compounds to bind to.
Here’s a quick comparison:
| Water Type | Taste Profile | Extraction Quality |
|---|---|---|
| Distilled Water | Flat, lifeless | Poor extraction |
| Filtered Tap Water | Balanced, clean | Consistent extraction |
| Spring Water | Bright, rich | Excellent extraction |
According to a Reddit thread on r/Coffee, many experienced brewers agree that distilled water leaves coffee “lifeless” because there’s no mineral content for the flavor compounds to bond with — confirming what coffee science already tells us.
Risks of Using Distilled Water in Coffee Machines
Beyond taste, using distilled water can also harm your coffee machine over time.
Because it lacks minerals, distilled water is slightly more corrosive, which can wear down metal parts and rubber seals. It may also confuse sensors that rely on mineral content to detect water levels — common in Keurig and automatic espresso machines.
Some manufacturers even warn against using distilled or demineralized water in their manuals, recommending filtered or bottled mineral water instead.
Best Type of Water for Brewing Coffee
If distilled water isn’t the right choice, what is?
The Specialty Coffee Association (SCA) recommends water that’s:
- Neutral in pH (~7)
- Has a Total Dissolved Solids (TDS) between 75–250 ppm
In simpler terms, water should be clean but not empty.
💧 Best options:
- Filtered tap water: Affordable, easy, and balanced in most areas.
- Bottled spring water: Consistent taste and mineral balance.
- Remineralized RO water: Use mineral packets like Third Wave Water to fine-tune for perfect brewing.
These types of water ensure that every flavor note in your beans is properly extracted — from sweet and nutty to bold and chocolaty.
Quick Comparison
| Water Type | Flavor Quality | Machine Safety | Best For |
|---|---|---|---|
| Distilled | ❌ Flat | ⚠️ Can corrode | Avoid |
| Tap (unfiltered) | ⚠️ Depends on local supply | ⚠️ May scale | Only if good quality |
| Filtered | ✅ Balanced | ✅ Safe | Daily brewing |
| Bottled Spring | ✅ Great | ✅ Safe | Premium taste |
When Distilled Water Might Be Useful
Distilled water isn’t completely useless in your coffee setup.
There are specific cases where it can actually come in handy:
- For descaling or cleaning your coffee maker — since it won’t leave mineral buildup.
- In areas with extremely hard water, where you might use distilled water and add minerals back manually.
- For controlled lab testing or coffee competitions, where water chemistry is precisely adjusted.
So yes, distilled water has its uses — just not for daily brewing.
Also Read: Is Arizona Green Tea Healthy to Drink?
Conclusion
Distilled water might look like the “purest” option, but when it comes to coffee, that purity takes away the very minerals your brew needs to shine.
It flattens flavor, interferes with proper extraction, and can even harm your machine over time.
Final verdict:
Distilled water is great for cleaning, not brewing.
For the best cup of coffee, stick to filtered, spring, or mineral-balanced water — your taste buds (and coffee maker) will thank you.
✅ So the answer is no — you shouldn’t use distilled water for coffee.
FAQs
Is distilled water safe to drink?
Yes, distilled water is safe to drink — it’s pure H₂O without any contaminants or minerals. However, since it lacks essential minerals like calcium and magnesium, it may taste flat or bland compared to spring or filtered water. Long-term, it’s fine in moderation, but it’s not ideal as your main drinking water source.
Why can’t I use distilled water in my coffee maker?
You shouldn’t use distilled water in your coffee maker because it lacks minerals that aid flavor extraction and can also damage the machine over time. Distilled water can be slightly corrosive, which may affect metal parts and sensors in drip or automatic coffee machines. Manufacturers like Keurig and Breville even recommend against using it.
Why are you not supposed to use distilled water in a Keurig?
Keurig machines rely on sensors that detect mineral content to determine water levels and brewing consistency. Distilled water, having no minerals, can confuse these sensors and cause brewing errors. It can also lead to poor coffee flavor since there’s nothing in the water to enhance extraction. Filtered or bottled spring water is a much better choice for Keurigs.
Is drinking distilled water good for your kidneys?
Drinking distilled water occasionally won’t harm your kidneys. However, because it’s completely mineral-free, it doesn’t supply electrolytes like calcium, potassium, or magnesium that support kidney and muscle function. Over time, relying solely on distilled water could slightly alter your body’s mineral balance. It’s best to consume mineral-rich or filtered water regularly.
How long is distilled water good for once opened?
Once opened, distilled water can last up to one year if stored properly in a clean, sealed container away from sunlight. After opening, it can slowly absorb carbon dioxide or contaminants from the air, which may slightly change its purity. Always keep it tightly capped and stored in a cool place.
Is boiled water the same as distilled water?
No, boiled water and distilled water are not the same. Boiling kills bacteria and viruses, making the water safe to drink — but it doesn’t remove dissolved minerals or impurities. Distillation, on the other hand, involves boiling and then condensing the vapor, leaving behind minerals and contaminants, resulting in ultra-pure water.