Water and Coffee: When to Drink to Best Enjoy Your Cup

Coffee is one of the most loved drinks by Italians, but there is one element that is often overlooked: water. Have you ever wondered when it is better to drink water before or after coffee to best enhance its flavor? In this article we will explore the connection between water and coffee and discover how important the moment in which you drink is .

Why Drink Water with Coffee?

Water plays a key role when consuming coffee, not only to hydrate but also to prepare the palate to receive and fully enjoy the intense aromas of a cup of espresso. Many people, especially in Italian bars, have become accustomed to receiving a glass of water with their coffee, but the real dilemma is: should it be drunk before or after the coffee?

Drinking Water Before Coffee: A Clean Palate

Coffee experts and passionate baristas often recommend drinking a sip of water before coffee. The reason? Water helps cleanse the palate, eliminating any residue of previous flavors (such as food or other drinks). This allows you to better appreciate the taste and aroma of the coffee, especially if it is a quality espresso. A "neutral" palate is essential to capture the aromatic notes that make coffee unique.

Drinking water before coffee is especially recommended for tasting enthusiasts, where you want to perceive every nuance and characteristic of the coffee bean, from the aftertaste to the body.

Drinking Water After Coffee: Hydration and Freshness

Many Italians prefer to drink water after enjoying coffee. In this case, water has a mainly hydrating function , since coffee, being a mild diuretic , tends to make you lose liquids. Drinking water after coffee helps to re-establish the water balance and can give a pleasant sensation of freshness, especially after a strong espresso or a caffè corretto.

Additionally, drinking water after coffee can help neutralize any bitterness that may linger in your mouth, making for a cleaner, more enjoyable finish.

How Much Water Should You Drink?

There is no fixed rule on the amount of water to drink with coffee, but usually a small glass is enough, especially if you drink an espresso. In many Italian bars, in fact, the glass of water served with coffee is small precisely because it must only have the function of "preparing" or "closing" the coffee experience, without diluting the flavor you have just enjoyed.

Sparkling or Still Water?

While still water is the most common choice , some prefer sparkling water before their coffee. The effervescence can provide a more palate-cleansing sensation and provide an interesting contrast to the creaminess and intensity of the espresso. However, this choice is more of a matter of personal preference, with many finding still water to be gentler and less invasive.

The Final Verdict: Before or After?

Ultimately, drinking water before or after coffee depends on your personal preference and the context. If you want to fully enjoy the nuances of coffee, drinking a sip of water before is the best choice. If, on the other hand, you are just looking for a bit of freshness or want to counteract the dehydrating effect of coffee, a sip of water after is perfect.

Regardless of your choice, it is important to remember that water is an essential ally in enhancing the pleasure of enjoying a good coffee . So, the next time you sip a cup, pay attention to the glass of water: it will help make the experience even more complete.