Why do you need to drink water after coffee? Why is it good to drink water after coffee? How do they drink coffee with water in different countries?

In self-respecting coffee shops, customers are served a glass of clean, cool water along with a cup of aromatic coffee. This ancient, beautiful tradition has a practical meaning: a drink like coffee should really be washed down with water - and not only in order to better reveal its taste.

One alkaloid is good, but two are better

Espresso, Americano, cappuccino, latte – there are a great variety of drinks prepared using coffee beans. However, from the point of view of the effect on the human nervous system, the fundamental difference exists only between coffee drinks made from whole grain coffee and from freeze-dried, that is, instant.

The fact is that coffee beans are heterogeneous in structure. Its outer shell contains the well-known invigorating alkaloid called caffeine, which has a pronounced tonic effect. In the inner part of the grain there is another alkaloid - theobromine.

When making instant coffee, only the inner part of the bean is used; the outer shell is separated and used for medicines or energy drinks. But if we are dealing with bean coffee, then we need to remember that it contains two alkaloids at once.

Reverse process

When we drink coffee, these two alkaloids enter our body simultaneously - but they begin to act in turn. First, caffeine begins to work - it is its invigorating effect that is associated with it. But after about 25 minutes, theobromine comes into the picture.

Here's how it all works: caffeine has the ability to constrict blood vessels in all organs - except the kidneys; in them, after a couple of sips of espresso, the vessels, on the contrary, dilate. The result is increased blood pressure and the urge to urinate; the latter are associated with improved blood flow in the kidneys.

However, not even half an hour passes before the person begins to feel slightly sleepy; at the same time, many feel a not very pleasant pulling sensation in the kidney area. This began the effect of theobromine: the pressure in all organs increased, and in the kidneys it decreased.

In order to avoid disrupting blood flow in the kidneys, it makes sense to take a sip of water after each sip of coffee.

The 30th kilometer effect

With instant coffee everything is even more interesting. Since it is made from the inner part of the grain, which contains no more than 10% caffeine and quite a lot of theobromine, its effect is somewhat different than that of whole grain.

Namely, the alert phase is not so pronounced, for some it is completely absent, but such a drink has a distinct drowsiness effect. So if someone you know complains to you that he allegedly has a paradoxical reaction to coffee, he wants not to jump and run, but to sleep sweetly, then most likely he drinks not bean coffee, but freeze-dried coffee.

Truck drivers, who often buy tin cans of ready-made coffee drinks at gas stations, clearly based on instant coffee, even invented their own term - the “30th kilometer effect.”

This means this: approximately 20 minutes after absorbing the contents of such a jar, that is, right around the 30th kilometer, the driver usually experiences a period of drowsiness lasting about an hour. This is the same theobromine phase during which one becomes sleepy.

So it’s also better to drink instant coffee with plain water so that you don’t want to sleep after it. And it’s even better to drink strong brewed black tea as an invigorating drink: it contains no less caffeine, and there is no theobromine at all.

Additional reasons

For lovers of good coffee, there are other reasons why it is better to drink it with water.

Tasty like the first time. If, without further ado, you just drink coffee sip by sip, then the second sip will not be as enchanting as the first. And clean water will wash your taste buds - and as a result, you will be able to fully enjoy every sip.
The pressure is normal. For those who are afraid to drink coffee again due to the risk of high blood pressure, plain water can provide an excellent service - it can weaken the effect of caffeine; If you drink coffee with it, your heart won’t beat like crazy.
Teeth like pearls. Coffee contains a pigment that stains tooth enamel. But if you drink a little water after each sip, the pigment will not have time to be absorbed and the teeth will remain as white as they were.

Coffee has been leading the list of the most favorite drinks for hundreds of years. In most coffee shops, a glass of water is served with a cup of invigorating drink. Water not only helps to better develop the taste of coffee, it is needed for other reasons.

Cereal or instant

We all know that coffee contains an alkaloid called caffeine. It tones and gives a person a charge of vigor. Caffeine is found on the outer shell of the coffee bean. And inside there is another alkaloid. It's called theobromine.

When instant coffee is made from beans, only the inner shell of the beans is used, but when making coffee beans, the entire shell is used. It turns out that there are as many as two alkaloids in coffee beans.

Why is it important to drink water after coffee beans?

Caffeine and theobromine do not work at the same time. Caffeine comes into the picture first. It invigorates a person. However, its effect lasts only half an hour. This is where the second alkaloid begins to act. It is theobromine that constricts the blood vessels of almost all internal organs. But with the kidneys the opposite process occurs - their vessels expand. The result: the pressure rises and you want to go to the toilet, and after another half an hour you feel sleepy. But at the same time, an unpleasant pulling sensation is felt in the back.

To avoid disrupting blood flow in the kidneys, you should also drink water after each sip of coffee.

Soluble does not invigorate

Instant coffee contains mainly only theobromine. That is why after it you want to sleep, but there is just no charge of vivacity. The feeling of drowsiness will not go away for at least another hour. To avoid sleepiness after a cup of instant coffee, you should drink a glass of water.

If you need vigor, it is better to drink strong black tea. It does not contain the sleeping agent theobromine.

Additional reasons

The first sip of coffee is very pleasant. But the second and third ones are not so tasty. Drinking water will cleanse your taste buds. This way, every sip will be like the first.

Drinking coffee with water can reduce the effect of caffeine on the heart.

Coffee is considered one of the most popular drinks, especially on the menu of restaurants and cafes. Often at home, for example, at breakfast, many people prefer to use instant, but more and more often there are fans who prefer to cook it in the morning, and sometimes even grind it themselves to do this. Few people know that home-brewed black coffee must be washed down. Abroad, coffee shops usually serve water with espresso and other types of black coffee, but so far this is most common in Europe, especially in Greece. Russian cafes and restaurants are just beginning to adopt these traditions.

Tradition or necessity

Some people consider drinking a drink made from aromatic fragrant grains a necessity, while others consider it only a tradition. Defenders of each point of view have their own arguments. As a tradition, serving water with coffee dates back, according to most sources, to Ancient Greece. Historians claim that for the first time they began to offer it there so that a person could freshen up a little after drinking a tart drink, which is known to invigorate, especially in such a hot climate.

The Turks, who are considered the creators of coffee, then became interested in drinking this aromatic drink not immediately, but only after several decades. And much later, the tradition reached Europe, having undergone certain changes along the way. Viennese coffee connoisseurs have added innovation to this traditional way of drinking. Currently, it is believed that there are two options for how to drink coffee. Some Europeans, as well as other lovers, prefer to alternate water and coffee, while others drink only after the invigorating drink itself has been drunk to the end.

Two such different ways not out of whim, but because water was supplied to achieve different purposes. Each method gives a different result. When alternating, the taste buds are more likely to be cleansed, and the aftertaste from each next sip of coffee turns out to be as bright as the very first. The beneficial effect seems to be consolidated, while the harmful one is minimized.

In the second method, when a person drinks coffee with water, he not only becomes toned, but is refreshed, according to the generally accepted opinion. But the impressions and effects of drinking the drink do not change in any way, and as a result, tooth enamel is cleaned and acidity decreases.

Now a third method has emerged, which to some extent mixes these two. You can drink water first, and then alternate as you wish, and at the end, wash down the coffee with the remaining water. In any case, you should drink freshly brewed black coffee in small sips, savoring it to fully experience the aromatic taste.

With all three methods, the coffee drink should be served in a small cup if it is without the addition of milk or its derivatives. You can add spices or, if desired, cognac or sweet liqueur. However, it is not recommended to drink coffee on an empty stomach, as it can cause ulcers.

Why water after coffee is a must

There are several reasons why water after coffee is necessary for proper consumption and increased benefits from it:

For brightness of taste. The taste buds are cleansed, each sip tastes just like the first.
For pressure control. Caffeine contained in bitter beans is known to increase blood pressure, which is why it is even recommended for people suffering from hypotension. Water helps reduce the effects of caffeine on the body and normalize your heart rate.
Preservation of teeth color. Coffee has a negative effect on tooth enamel, making it darker. Using water can prevent or reduce this effect. After each sip, the pigment present in coffee and affecting the color of teeth is washed away.
Reducing the amount of hydrochloric acid in the body, which reduces heartburn or helps get rid of it altogether.

What kind of water do they serve in restaurants?

Each restaurant that serves coffee with this fresh addition will serve different water, but there are some common standards that are followed by virtually all such establishments.
It is advisable to serve chilled, but not very cold, and at the same time as a drink. The best view Boiled, purified or bottled spring water is considered. It is recommended that it does not contain chlorine.
If desired, the water can be mineral. When combined with coffee, it provides a contrast that has significant taste differences that attract many coffee lovers. Lemon juice can also be added to the water. This makes the taste more piquant, highlighting the coffee beans themselves and emphasizing their rare taste more vividly.

In any case, no matter what water you choose, drinking it with a drink or after coffee will bring both benefits to the body and new taste sensations. You can practice drinking coffee with water yourself at home, but you must remember that it is better not to drink it on an empty stomach. In this way, you can invigorate and cleanse your body. In addition, drinking water before and after coffee will make the breakfast itself much more satisfying, even if it was not too dense.

In decent cafes and restaurants in many European countries, it is customary to serve a glass of cold water along with a serving of coffee. On the menus of popular French and Italian establishments you can even see a note specially made for tourists: “Don’t order water! It will be served with coffee.” There is a heated debate among coffee lovers about the order in which you should drink coffee and water.

How did the tradition of drinking coffee with water originate?

To become a gourmet, you need money and time. Therefore, the custom of slowly sipping coffee, washing down each sip with water, originated in the palaces of Arab nobles. Then in the 16th century the Turks adopted this habit, and from them the Greeks.

In hot countries, alternating hot coffee with cold well or spring water is pleasant and healthy: water not only refreshes the receptors, sharpening the perception of taste, but also quenches thirst and prevents dehydration.

However, in Western Europe, where the climate is colder, the custom of serving coffee with water appeared much later, around late XIX century. It is believed that the fashion for this method of serving originated in Austria.

Prim, noble ladies who ordered Viennese coffee experienced serious difficulties because of the coffee spoon. Placing it, smeared in coffee and cream, on the edge of the saucer seemed terribly inelegant, and the only way to clean the spoon - by licking it - was even worse. Therefore, coffee shops began to serve a glass of water along with coffee, in which adherents of strict etiquette could rinse the coffee spoon.

Later, other uses were found for water. In those days, visitors spent a lot of time in coffee shops, reading newspapers or discussing latest news. Not everyone’s health allowed them to drink several servings of strong coffee in a row. The elderly gentlemen found a way out: they ordered just one cup of coffee and drank it for the rest of the evening, in small sips, alternating with water. Over time, the custom was adopted in Germany, France and Italy.

How they drink coffee with water in different countries

In Greece and Turkey, the most popular type of coffee is Turkish brewed. Here it is still customary to refresh the receptors with water before each sip of coffee. In Greece cold water served free of charge to any visitor who has just entered the establishment even before he places an order.

In Italy, with its cult of espresso, a slightly different tradition of drinking coffee with water has developed. In the South, especially in Naples and Sicily, it is customary to take a large sip of water before drinking coffee. It is considered acceptable to drink coffee with water only if you do not like the drink and want to remove the unpleasant aftertaste. If a customer drinks water with his coffee, the barista takes it as an insult.

In the northern regions, except for Piedmont, drinking coffee with water is much more tolerant. In Rome and Milan, in general, coffee with water is not served everywhere.

In Spain they also prefer to drink water before rather than after coffee. Although black coffee here is significantly inferior in popularity to cortado (coffee with milk), which is not served with water.

In France, there is always a jug of water on the table during meals (both at home and in a restaurant). Everyone pours themselves as much as they want. A customer who orders coffee is always brought a large glass of water. French baristas believe that water should be drunk before coffee, not after it.

In Germany, coffee is often served with sparkling water. The Germans do not have clear rules about drinking water before or after coffee.

In Scandinavian countries, boiling water is sometimes served instead of cold water. If desired, the guest dilutes the coffee with it.

Types of coffee served with water:

espresso and all its varieties (lungo, ristretto, Americano);
any black coffee brewed using a hot method;
macchiato;
Viennese coffee;
black coffee with yolks.

Water is not served with coffee milkshakes and iced coffee, even if it does not contain milk.

Choice of water

Properties of water for serving with coffee:

softness. Water can be bottled, well, spring, but in no case chlorinated or distilled;
temperature – from +10 to +15 °C, in hot weather it can reach +20 °C.

Water is served in a tall glass goblet. Sometimes a few drops of lemon or other fruit juice or a little herbal infusion are added to it. The main thing is that all the ingredients are natural, no sugar or sweeteners! But even natural flavoring additives must be handled with extreme caution so that they do not suppress the sourness in the taste of coffee. Usually, juices and decoctions are mixed with water only if coffee is prepared according to an original recipe and they want to emphasize some shades in the taste of the drink.

Comparison of methods of drinking coffee with water

Even world-famous experts cannot come to a consensus on how to drink coffee with water. Let's consider the arguments of both sides.

Why do they suggest drinking coffee with water?

Caffeine has a diuretic effect, so it promotes dehydration. By washing down a serving of coffee with a large glass of water, a person restores water balance.
If you drink a lot of water immediately after coffee, the liquids will mix in the stomach, and the effect of caffeine on the cardiovascular system will be weakened.
Water supposedly washes away yellow plaque from teeth.

As a rule, plaque forms on teeth when you don’t brush them too thoroughly. To remove plaque, it is better to consult a dentist; an extra sip of water is unlikely to help.
If you drink hot coffee with a glass of cold water (in bars it is often cooled to +10 °C), the temperature contrast will negatively affect both tooth enamel and the throat.
When you drink coffee with water, you lose the pleasure of the aftertaste.

Arguments from supporters of drinking water before coffee:

Water cleanses the receptors, making taste better.
A pleasant aftertaste remains.
Once in the body, caffeine contributes to the narrowing of all blood vessels, except the renal ones, which, on the contrary, dilates. This effect lasts about 20 minutes, then the effect of caffeine weakens, but the influence of another alkaloid, theobromine, increases. As a result, the kidney vessels narrow, and all the others dilate (at this moment, a slight nagging pain is sometimes felt). To prevent constriction of the blood vessels in the kidneys, you should drink a glass of water.

Sometimes a person, not knowing why water goes with coffee, drinks it right away, completely killing the aftertaste. It makes sense to do this only when the coffee has an unpleasant taste that you want to get rid of as quickly as possible.

Conclusion. If you are satisfied with the taste of the drink, but you need to reduce the concentration of caffeine (to weaken its effect on the cardiovascular system), it is better to drink 100-150 ml of water before coffee. If a portion of coffee exceeds 15–25 ml, then take a large sip of water before each small sip of the drink. The last sip of coffee is not washed down, enjoying the aftertaste. After 20 minutes, you should drink 200–250 ml of water at room temperature.

Why drink water after coffee?

Tradition or necessity

These two different methods arose not out of whim, but because water was supplied to achieve different purposes. Each method gives a different result. When alternating, the taste buds are more likely to be cleansed, and the aftertaste from each next sip of coffee turns out to be as bright as the very first. The beneficial effect seems to be consolidated, while the harmful one is minimized.

Why water after coffee is a must

There are several reasons why water after coffee is necessary for proper consumption and increased benefits from it:

For brightness of taste. The taste buds are cleansed, each sip tastes just like the first.
For pressure control. Caffeine contained in bitter beans is known to increase blood pressure, which is why it is even recommended for people suffering from hypotension. Water helps reduce the effects of caffeine on the body and normalize your heart rate.
Preservation of teeth color. Coffee has a negative effect on tooth enamel, making it darker. Using water can prevent or reduce this effect. After each sip, the pigment present in coffee and affecting the color of teeth is washed away.
Reducing the amount of hydrochloric acid in the body, which reduces heartburn or helps get rid of it altogether.

What kind of water do they serve in restaurants?

Each restaurant that serves coffee with this fresh addition will serve different water, but there are some common standards that are followed by virtually all such establishments.
It is advisable to serve chilled, but not very cold, and at the same time as a drink. The best type is boiled water, purified or bottled spring water. It is recommended that it does not contain chlorine.
If desired, the water can be mineral. When combined with coffee, it provides a contrast that has significant taste differences that attract many coffee lovers. Lemon juice can also be added to the water. This makes the taste more piquant, highlighting the coffee beans themselves and emphasizing their rare taste more vividly.

Why should you drink water after coffee?

Coffee is an invigorating drink known to mankind since time immemorial. Its discovery occurred around 850 BC. e. It is noteworthy that in order to cheer up, people initially ate the berries of the coffee tree and only then began to brew a drink from the beans.

Often coffee is served with water - this gesture on the part of the barista is most often found in expensive coffee shops. Sometimes people do not understand the reason for the actions of service personnel. Although the explanation is not obvious, it is there.

Caffeine and theobromine

The coffee bean contains two alkaloids - caffeine and theobromine. Both substances have a psychostimulating effect, however, they have fundamentally different effects on the body. Thus, caffeine contributes to the narrowing of blood vessels throughout the human body with the exception of the kidneys. Theobromine, in turn, has the opposite effect - it dilates small and large arteries throughout the body, but narrows them in the organs of the excretory system.

The action of the two alkaloids in the human body occurs alternately. So, after drinking a cup of coffee, caffeine begins to work first, bringing a feeling of emotional uplift and vigor. Blood pressure rises, and the urge to urinate occurs.

However, after 20-25 minutes theobromine comes into action, lowering pressure throughout the body and increasing it in the kidneys. Against this background, people often experience a feeling of unpleasant heaviness in the lower abdomen and lower back - this feeling is due to the action of theobromine. So, coffee is washed down with water in order to prevent circulatory problems in the excretory system.

Coffee: freeze-dried and whole grain

Despite the variety of types of coffee known to mankind, the fundamental difference in their effect lies not in the accompanying ingredients, but in the type of coffee used in the drink.

The fact is that the outer shell of the coffee bean contains caffeine, and the inner shell contains theobromine. When preparing drinks from whole bean coffee, the resulting liquid contains both alkaloids. The freeze-dried product is made, as a rule, only from the inner part of the grain and contains only theobromine. This substance has a similar effect on the central nervous system as caffeine, however, it has a less pronounced invigorating effect.

Some people are almost immune to theobromine - it does not have a psychostimulating effect on them. It happens that a person complains that drinking a cup of coffee does not awaken in him a thirst for activity - on the contrary, he wants to sleep. In this case, it is possible that he drinks a freeze-dried drink.

A similar phenomenon is common among truck drivers; in the professional community it is called the “Thirtieth Kilometer Effect.” Often people involved in this field buy drinks in cans at gas stations. It is usually based on freeze-dried coffee that does not contain caffeine.

The essence of the “Thirtieth Kilometer Effect” is that after 20 minutes a person begins to feel sleepy and this means that theobromine has begun its effect. This state persists for an hour.

Because of this, it is better to drink instant coffee with cold water. This will help reduce the feeling of drowsiness during the theobromine phase. You can also replace the drink with strong black tea. There is no less caffeine in it - even more, and theobromine is completely absent.

Other reasons

It is worth drinking espresso with water, as well as other coffee drinks, because they can cause dehydration. An unnaturally caused urge to urinate ultimately removes fluid from the body, which is dangerous to health by disrupting the process of thermoregulation.

In order to keep your heart rate normal without getting the same effect from coffee as high blood pressure, you should also drink water. The fluid does an excellent job of optimizing performance cardiovascular system. Thus, by drinking a glass during or after drinking coffee, you do not have to worry about high blood pressure.

The drink contains a pigment that can color tooth enamel in more dark color. This effect is not to everyone's liking. So, to prevent your teeth from losing their whiteness, you can drink a little water after each sip of coffee. The dyes will not have time to settle on the enamel, thereby not changing its shade.

Coffee is a wonderful drink. Studies regarding its effect on the human body have shown that moderate amounts reduce the risk of developing Alzheimer's and Parkinson's diseases.

How and why to drink cold water with hot coffee

Coffee shops often serve a glass of cool water with espresso, Americano, Turkish or Viennese coffee. Many sincerely believe that this tradition originated in Ancient Greece, and from there it migrated to Turkey. The custom came to Europe from eastern countries. Since the custom is new to Russians, they often ask: how to drink coffee with water correctly, and is there any benefit? Let's figure it out.

What is the name of coffee served with water?

The drink does not have a specific name. Do not dilute any coffee or milk drinks. In Turkish and European coffee shops, any hot brewed coffee is served with a glass of water: Americano, macchiato, black with yolk and others. In Italy they prepare ristretto - this is the same espresso, only with the addition of less water. It takes only 15-20 ml per serving. It is customary to drink this coffee with water immediately after drinking it. Why do you add water to coffee or drink it with it? Read on.

Why drink coffee with water: the history of the custom

According to history, coffee with cold water began to be served in Ancient Greece. It all started with the fact that in one house a hospitable host placed a glass of invigorating drink in front of a tired traveler. And so that the guest could immediately freshen up after a long journey, he splashed a little cool water into the bowl with the liquid. The taster liked the unusual combination so much that in the future he drank the “elixir” only this way, and “infected” his habit first with his friends, and then with everyone around him.

Some historians refute this version of the origin of the tradition of drinking coffee with cold water. They believe that the custom was invented in Turkey, where it is almost always hot. The goal is to cool down a little and quench the thirst that was caused by hot drink. It is no longer possible to determine which version is correct. The Turkish tradition is as follows: drink the first half of water before drinking the invigorating “elixir”, the second - after.

Why is it common to serve water with coffee?

People drink coffee with water for a variety of reasons. So, the Turks do this to cool down a little in the heat, Europeans do it to reduce the strength of their favorite drink and quench their thirst. Gourmets prefer to combine liquids to fully enjoy the taste of the “elixir of life.” Water cleanses the taste buds well, preparing them for new sensations. Doctors recommend drinking coffee drinks with water to:

reduce the level of caffeine exposure to the body;
neutralize the effect of theobromine, a substance that relaxes and puts you to sleep;
preserve the whiteness of tooth enamel from coffee plaque;
protect yourself from overheating in hot weather;
lower blood pressure and normalize heart rate.

Doctors also advise alternating fluids correctly to reduce the load on the kidneys and heart. Best time to drink water in this case – 20 minutes after finishing the coffee meal. But it is quite possible to reduce it. So, many Turks drink both drinks at the same time, they prefer it. Nobody knows what to do correctly. You can drink coffee with added water as your body dictates. Just take your time, enjoy every sip.

What kind of water is served with coffee?

Any water that does not contain bleach or other harmful impurities is allowed to be served. You can use: bottled, mineral, spring, well, boiled liquid. It all depends on your personal preferences. Special requirements are placed on temperature. The drink should be moderately cold, but not icy. The optimal option is 10°C. If the liquid is colder, you may catch a cold. It’s up to you to add water to coffee or vice versa, there’s not much difference.

In hot weather and when preparing signature drinks, it is allowed to dilute the cold liquid with juice or herbal infusion, or serve with it orange zest, a sprig of mint, a slice of lime or lemon. There should not be a lot of flavoring products; they can interrupt the taste and aroma of the finished coffee. It is strongly recommended to avoid sugar and sweeteners.

How to drink coffee with water correctly

It is not always necessary to combine two liquids. So, if it is better to drink espresso and Americano as much as possible to reveal the full aftertaste, then cappuccino is not necessary. You need to approach things correctly. So, if you want to enjoy the exquisite taste of the drink, then it is better to drink water before your coffee meal - to cleanse your taste buds. But you should only alternate a sip of coffee with a sip of water if you are a professional taster. Possible drinking options are as follows:

Take a sip of water to refresh your mouth.
Hold it for a while and savor it.
Sip your coffee slowly and enjoy the amazing taste.
20 minutes after the meal, drink some water.

Interestingly, drinking coffee with water 40 minutes before dinner helps reduce appetite. As a result, the portion eaten in the future will be smaller than usual. And this, in turn, cannot but have a positive effect on your health and weight. If you want to normalize your heart function, doctors recommend drinking 100-150 ml of boiled liquid before coffee. But you can always focus on your taste.

Interesting fact: why do people in Turkey drink water after coffee?

Turkish connoisseurs add water to coffee or serve it in another cup not only for refreshment in hot weather. There is another reason why the Turks do this. Namely, so that immediately after the coffee ceremony you can continue to calmly continue talking with the people sitting at the common table. There are usually a lot of guests in the houses of local residents; it would be strange if they began to walk around the rooms in search of a drink with which to quench their thirst.

As a conclusion

Now you know why cold water is served with coffee in Eastern and European countries. Namely: to cool down in hot weather, strengthen general tone and lift your mood. Drink the “elixir of life” with water to prolong the coffee ceremony and feel more energetic. Enjoy the taste of your favorite drink, let your health only get better every day.

Why do you need water for coffee?

About 1.6 billion cups of coffee are drunk per day worldwide. Some studies claim that this statistic is incorrect, and daily consumption of coffee drinks is approaching 2.7 billion cups, which amounts to at least 500 billion coffee drinks per year.

There are many variations on the coffee theme: black (espresso, Americano), with milk (cappuccino, latte), frosted with ice cream, Viennese with whipped cream, Greek frappe with ice, brewed on sand with spices, and so on.

The above coffee preparation options, in turn, are also divided into subtypes, for example, depending on the serving size, espresso (approximately 30 ml) can turn into ristretto (15-20 ml) or lungo (60 ml).

Most coffee shops and restaurants serve water with coffee. But not everyone understands why this happens. It is not necessary to dilute the drink with water; it seems like it should be washed down too. Then why is it needed and at what point should it be used? This article is devoted to these issues.

All self-respecting establishments serve water to:

Why do you serve cold water with coffee?

Regarding cold spring water, which usually complements coffee in southern countries, the reason is obvious: water cools, cleanses the receptors, quenches thirst and helps prevent dehydration.

It has been proven that coffee provokes excessive loss of moisture in the body, and adding extremely high temperatures to this, you can get not a surge of energy, but unbearable thirst.

Water after coffee - why?

The European tradition of serving a glass of water with coffee originated in Vienna, around the 19th century, and absolutely did not involve the use of this water.

The fact is that Viennese coffee, which was very loved by European aristocrats of that time, adds whipped cream, which forms a dense foam on the surface of the drink. After stirring the drink, the noble ladies were faced with the question of a dirty spoon: you can’t put it on a saucer, etiquette doesn’t dictate it, and you can’t even lick it, it looks terribly inelegant.

A glass of water solved this problem: the spoon was dipped into the water, and then they calmly continued to enjoy the coffee drink.

Why water for coffee?

There, in Europe, the habit of drinking coffee with water took root. In the 19th-20th centuries, and even now, Europeans spent a lot of time socializing, reading books and discussing news in coffee shops. People were supposed to relax by drinking coffee, but not all elderly visitors to the establishment, for health reasons, could treat themselves to several cups of coffee in a row. Therefore, having ordered one, it was alternated with sips of water, which made it possible to calmly communicate for the rest of the evening without overusing caffeine.

The tradition took root in all European countries, and later spread throughout the world.

Why do they serve water with coffee?

The water that complements a cup of coffee performs a number of functions:

Coffee is a rich and dense drink. Due to these properties, taste buds quickly “turn off” and stop perceiving subtle coffee notes. Alternating a sip of coffee with a sip of liquid helps restore sensitivity.

It is common knowledge that coffee increases blood pressure. Water consumed in parallel with coffee reduces the concentration of caffeine in the body, preventing sudden surges in blood pressure.

Coffee drinks contribute to the formation of plaque. To prevent the pigment from settling on your teeth, you need to drink your coffee with water.

Due to the hydrochloric acid produced by the stomach in response to coffee entering the body, this drink should not be consumed in its pure form. Water regulates the production of hydrochloric acid, having a beneficial effect on the gastrointestinal tract and preventing heartburn.

Why a glass of water with coffee?

Bottled, boiled or spring water at 10-15°C is best suited for coffee drinks (if the region is hot, then up to 20°C is allowed). It should not contain unnecessary odors (for example, bleach) and be too cold, because tooth enamel is very susceptible to sudden temperature changes.

If desired, you can add citrus fruits or mint to the water. However, you should be careful with the dosage, because obvious side flavors will not allow you to fully experience the taste of coffee.

Why do you drink coffee with water?

As for the rules for drinking coffee with water, there are several of them:

when alternating drinks, you need to take small sips and hold the liquid in your mouth for a short period of time;
Do not replace coffee with water too quickly;

Whether to wash down the final coffee sip with water is an individual question. The density and richness of the drink leaves a noticeable aftertaste, so many people refresh their mouths by ending the pleasant process of drinking coffee with a large sip of water, thereby erasing the coffee aroma.

The best thing to do is not to drink the aromatic drink; give yourself half an hour to fully perceive the aftertaste. And only then refresh yourself by drinking a whole glass of water.