COFFEE WATER
The Best Third Wave Water Alternative

COFFEE WATER Mineral Packs

COFFEE WATER Mineral Packs transform pure water into the optimal water for brewing a truly amazing cup of coffee.

The right balance of minerals in your water extracts the maximum flavor from the bean.
Buffering the acidity provides a smoother, richer taste.
Ensure consistent coffee flavor and machine protection.
Optimally balanced for the best flavor across all pour-over, coffee maker, and espresso profiles.
Follows Specialty Coffee Association (SCA) brewing water guidelines.
Cost efficient – Makes 25 or 125 gallons per box.

Pour packets into one gallon of pure water

Stir to dissolve

Brew great coffee

Why Choose Coffee Water Over Third Wave Water?

✅ One simple formula for all brewing methods – no need to choose between multiple profiles.
✅ SCA-compliant mineral balance for optimal extraction and taste.
✅ Cost-effective – One box makes either 25 or 125 gallons of brewing water.
✅ Prevents scaling and corrosion, extending the life of your coffee machine.
✅ Perfect for espresso, pour-over, drip coffee, and cold brew.

How Does Coffee Water Compare to Third Wave Water?

Both Third Wave Water and Coffee Water aim to provide the best possible water for brewing coffee. However, our approach is more streamlined and cost-effective, with one perfectly balanced formula instead of multiple profiles.

Feature	Coffee Water	Third Wave Water
Profiles	One optimized formula	Multiple roast-specific profiles
Total Hardness (ppm)	111 (SCA Standard 50-175)	Varies by profile
Alkalinity (ppm)	55 (SCA Standard 40-70)	Varies, some exceed SCA recommendations
Best for Espresso?	✅ Yes	✅ Yes, Espresso Profile
Best for Pour-Over?	✅ Yes	✅ Yes, Light Roast Profile
Prevents Scaling?	✅ Yes	✅ Yes
Cost per Gallon	Lower cost	Higher cost per gallon
Shelf Life	Two separate packets prevent premature solidification	Single packet, may solidify over time

Want to learn more? Read our full comparison here: Coffee Water vs. Third Wave Water

Brew Third Wave Coffee like the Pros

Coffee Water Meets all SCA Standards.

Perfect for use with reverse osmosis (RO) filtered water or distilled water.
Takes the guesswork out of making the best water for coffee.
Balanced for the best flavor across all pour-over, coffee maker, and espresso profiles.

Protect your Coffee Equipment

Prevents Scaling and Corrosion.

COFFEE WATER helps to maintain optimal performance and longevity of your coffee equipment, by providing the right mineral balance to prevent scaling and corrosion.

Great Taste and Safe for Coffee Equipment

Why 2 Packs ?

Unlike Third Wave Water profiles, Coffee Water packets are packaged separately to prevent the minerals from reacting and solidifying, ensuring they have a longer shelf life and remain in their optimal form for efficient dissolution when added to water.

Ingredients: Magnesium sulfate, calcium citrate, sodium bicarbonate, sodium chloride

Packet A – Contains minerals that help extract flavors from the coffee beans.

Packet B – Balances the pH and buffers the acidity, providing a smoother taste.

At a Glance: Coffee Water vs Third Wave Water

Third Wave Water’s Roast-Specific Profiles

Third Wave Water’s Classic Light Roast Profile’s higher mineral content gives high extraction and vibrant flavors but may have a slightly sharper taste due to its lower buffering capacity.

Since darker roasts extract more quickly, a lower mineral content is preferred to maintain balance. Third Wave Water’s Medium Roast and Dark Roast profiles adjust the mineral and buffering balance accordingly. The Espresso Profile is similar in mineral content but contains slightly higher bicarbonate levels.

Cold Brew and Low Acid profiles both contain balanced minerals but their bicarbonate levels are unusually high—far beyond SCA recommendations.

Coffee Water’s formula is near the center of the “Idea Brew Zone.” It is based on extensive research and a proven water source that has been successfully used in a leading coffee business for over 25 years. For a deeper look into Coffee Water’s research and formulation process, check out our blog post: How the Coffee Water Formula Was Crafted

Water Quality Association Certified
Master Water Specialist

Certified by the Water Quality Association as a Master Water Specialist company, KofeSolutions ensures the optimal water quality for exceptional coffee brewing.

Our commitment to excellence and expertise ensures that every COFFEE WATER product meets the highest standards for coffee brewing.
Coffee water mineral packs contains the healthy essential dietary minerals magnesium and calcium.

Customer Reviews

What our customers say about Coffee Water vs Third Wave Water

This turned out to be one of the best products I’ve gotten in a long time.
I would usually buy the other brand directly from my local roasters, but when looking for it here I got this as a site recommendation and I’m glad I went for it.
My espresso and milk drinks are soooooo much better. More flavor, more nuanced with richness and body. I don't know what is different from the other brand but I’m never going back.
The best part isn't only that it makes my espresso better, and protects my very costly machine, but I can also make 125 gallons!
Now, that’s what I call a game-changer.

I much prefer this to TWW. I can still taste the coffee with this and it protects my machine since we use RO water in our home. With TWW, my coffee tastes muted and similar to diner coffee or Keurig. I think TWW concentrates their packets with more than you need, so I've seen recommendations that you have to use half the packet to get the right results. Coffee Water gives me better results right out of the box and it is so much more cost effective if you buy the 125 gallon version. I drop these packets into a 5 gallon water jug, fill with RO water, and use a battery operated pump. I think this pack will last me nearly a year, so super happy I found this product. Coffee Water also has a pretty cool story about how they came to be on their website if you're interested. I like to research anything I put in my water to make sure it's legit and I feel good about using this product after seeing all the research and time that went into its creation.

No noticeable difference between this and Third Wave Water, tastes great. I used this to remineralize RO water.

I really didn't want to give this product a chance, however, if it can produce good coffee and be at a price point this low; why not give it try. I needed to know if they were actually better than filtered water. I brewed two cups with 55g of medium roast espresso from 22g of fresh ground beans using distilled water mixed with both packets.
Yes it was better. Was it worth eighty cents a packet. Yeah, I wouldn't mind parting with a dollar to enhance a gallon of water for coffee. If you're on the fence about buying this I think you should give it a try, you might be surprised.

So far I have gotten multiple affirmations from guests at the events I work that it taste better and has a bolder smoother finish. Will be restocking soon.

I've got very hard water where I live and it leaves a ton of scale in my water kettle.
This stuff solves 2 major issues for me and gives a bonus feature.
1. I can get the SCA correct TDS for coffee brewing.
2. I don't get any scale build up in my kettle.
Bonus: I can adjust the mixture of mineral to water to my desired taste for each different coffee I use. I can add more mineral content to get a more creamy mouthfeel. Or I can decrease the mineral content to get a more prevalent acidity. Coffee Water makes this easy for me.

Frequently asked questions

What is the recommended mineral content for coffee water according to SCA standards?

The Specialty Coffee Association (SCA) recommends water with total hardness between 50 ppm to 175 ppm and an alkalinity 0f 40 to 70 ppm for optimal coffee brewing.

Learn More…

Why are there two different packets in COFFEE WATER?

The two packets serve distinct purposes: Packet A contains minerals that help extract flavors from the coffee beans, while Packet B balances the pH and buffers the acidity, providing a smoother taste. They are packaged separately to prevent them from reacting and solidifying, which ensures they dissolve instantly when used.

Why does Third Wave Water have many different brewing profiles. Is this necessary?

In their book “WATER FOR COFFEE”, MIT chemistry professor Chris Hendon and Three-time UK Barista Champion Maxwell Colonna Dashwood come to this conclusion:

“We have opted for a singular ideal brewing zone for both espresso and filter zone. ”

Which of the Third Wave Water profiles is closest to Coffee Water?

Third Wave Water’s Dark Roast profile is the closest to Coffee Water. Both are near the center of the “Idea Brew Zone” recommended by most coffee professionals, and offer excellent taste across all brewing methods while at the same time offer great protection for coffee equipment.

What are the risks of using water with low mineral and alkalinity levels in coffee machines?

Water with low mineral content and alkalinity can lead to the formation of carbonic acid, which can corrode coffee equipment. Ensuring enough alkalinity in the water to buffer this acidity is crucial to protect your equipment.

How does COFFEE WATER ensure both great taste and safe operation of coffee equipment?

COFFEE WATER is formulated to have a balanced mineral content, which not only enhances the flavor of coffee but also minimizes scaling and prevents corrosion in coffee machines, making it both effective for brewing and safe for equipment maintenance.

How do I store Coffee Water?

Storing the Coffee Water at room temperature for several weeks is usually no problem. However, like any water, it should not be stored in open containers for extended periods as it can gradually absorb odors from the air. It is also best not to expose it to sunlight, as this may develop a harmless biofilm on the inside of the container. It can also be stored in a refrigerator if desired.

COFFEE WATER The Best Third Wave Water Alternative