Water temperature is a quiet but powerful brewing variable. This chart lists the target for coffee and each kind of tea.
| Beverage | Water temperature |
|---|---|
| Drip / pour over coffee | 195 to 205F |
| Espresso | 190 to 196F |
| Black tea | 200 to 212F |
| Oolong tea | 185 to 205F |
| Green tea | 160 to 180F |
| White tea | 160 to 185F |
| Cold brew | Cold or room |
Just off the boil. Coffee extracts best around 200F, just below boiling. Boiling water scorches both coffee and delicate green tea, adding bitterness.
See the Tea Brewing Temperature Chart and the Coffee Brewing Methods Chart.