The best water for your portafilter/espresso machine tends to be soft, free from impurities, has a neutral pH value and a balanced mineral composition.
Water that is too hard and rich in minerals such as calcium or magnesium can affect the taste of the coffee by altering the extraction process and leading to a bitter or metallic taste. Calcium also leads to limescale deposits in your portafilter/espresso machine - so it is best to use water that is completely free of calcium.
On the other hand, water that is too soft can also cause problems, as it may not contain enough minerals to extract the coffee flavors properly.
In addition, water that is too soft encourages corrosion and should therefore not be used for your portafilter/espresso machine.
For more details on the best water for coffee and espresso, we also recommend our general article on water.
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