When you order an espresso in an Italian café, you almost always get a small glass of still water with it. This ritual is also common in specialty cafés or at upscale roasters – but hardly anyone really knows why you drink water with your espresso . Is it simply tradition, pure service, or is there a sensory purpose behind it?
In this article we will explain:
- Where does the custom of serving water with espresso come from?
-
Should the water be drunk before or after the espresso – and why?
- What myths exist about water for coffee – and which of them are true?
- Why water is omitted during professional tastings or cuppings
- What sensory considerations lie behind the ritual ?
The origin of the water for espresso
Where does the custom come from?
The practice of serving water with espresso originated in Italy. Even in traditional coffee houses, it was customary to serve a glass of water alongside the coffee. Initially, this wasn't just about taste – but also about courtesy and cleanliness .
- In earlier times, water was considered a way to clean the mouth before drinking coffee.
- It was also a sign of good service – water was considered “hospitality on a tray”.
- Furthermore, the water should help to make the often very intense roasts more tolerable.
Today, the ritual has become established in large parts of Europe and beyond – not as an obligation, but as a sign of a cultivated coffee culture .
Water before or after espresso?
The correct sensory sequence
Typically, you drink the water before the espresso. Why? Because it plays a very specific functional role in the sensory experience :
-
Neutralizing the taste : Water rinses away previous flavors (e.g., toothpaste, food, wine) from the palate.
-
Preparation for the cup profile : After a sip of water, the palate is sensitized to bitterness, sweetness, and acidity.
-
Temperature equalization : Cold water equalizes the mouth temperature – the espresso is perceived as “clearer”.
Water can of course also be drunk after espresso – but then usually for pragmatic reasons: for refreshment, hydration or to neutralize aftertaste.
So: water BEFORE the espresso is sensorially beneficial – afterwards it's optional
Source: Kristina Snowasp via Pexels.com
Myths surrounding water for espresso – what's really true?
|
Statement
|
Evaluation
|
Explanation
|
|
People drink water after espresso to neutralize the bitterness.
|
❌ Incorrect
|
The water would dilute the aftertaste – the espresso should be allowed to have its full effect.
|
|
Water indicates that you are entering a high-quality café.
|
✅ Correct
|
Good service in coffee culture goes hand in hand with a clear sensory philosophy.
|
|
You are not allowed to drink water during cupping.
|
✅ Correct
|
Water would "reset" the palate – during cupping, the aim is to stay within the flavor profile.
|
|
Sparkling water is better than still water.
|
❌ Incorrect
|
Carbon dioxide can irritate the mucous membranes and disrupt the aroma profile of the coffee.
|
Espresso vs. Cupping – Why water is omitted during tastings
Drinking espresso and cupping coffee are two fundamentally different sensory disciplines . While espresso is a finished beverage, already shaped through extraction, roasting, and preparation, cupping is a standardized tasting process – reproducible, comparable, and deliberately reduced .
In professional cupping, coffee is ground, brewed with hot water, and then "sipped" to perceive as many aromas as possible simultaneously and undisturbed. And this is precisely the crucial difference: In cupping, water is deliberately omitted between cups.
Why no water during cupping?
1. One remains in the same sensory space
No neutralization is performed between the individual coffees in order not to interrupt the flow of aromas .
- Each cup builds upon the previous one.
- The palate adapts to the changes and contrasts between the samples.
- This makes it easier to perceive subtle differences.
2. Water would disrupt sensory continuity.
Drinking water would mean a "reset" – a conscious removal from the sensory context.
- Texture comparisons (body, oiliness, clarity) are losing their reference point.
- The acid structure acts in isolation, not relationally.
- The tasting flow is interrupted – coherence is lost.
3. The focus is on relative perception, not absolute values.
When evaluating espresso, we assess a single shot on its own. Cupping, on the other hand, focuses on differences between roasts, origins, and varieties .
- What matters here is not whether a coffee is "sweet" – but whether it is sweeter than the other.
- Water would weaken this dimension of comparison.
4. The palate learns during cupping.
With each sip, the sensory perception adapts slightly.
-
Adaptation is desired – it increases the ability to differentiate.
- Water would erase this cumulative perception.
No water during cupping – for good reason
The decision to forgo water is not accidental, but a conscious one:
-
Cupping thrives on direct comparison , progression, and contrast.
- Water would interfere, relativize, reset
- The sensory journey should remain seamless – from the first to the last cup.
In a cup of espresso, water beforehand can help sharpen the perception. But cupping is about the dynamics between the cups – and that's precisely why water has no place there.
Conclusion: When drinking individual espressos, drinking water beforehand is advisable – when professionally tasting several coffees, this is deliberately avoided.
Sensory analysis, practical application and etiquette – that's what the coffee world says
The unassuming glass of water next to the espresso is far more than a nice gesture. It's a powerful element of a conscious coffee culture , serving both enjoyment and sensory experience. In the professional world – from baristas to Q-graders – it's considered a sign of respect for the product, the customer, and the sensory integrity of the coffee.
Why is water so important?
1. Respect for the product
A high-quality espresso is the result of a long, labor-intensive process – from cultivation and harvesting to roasting and extraction.
- The water added beforehand is there to prevent the coffee's flavor from being disturbed or distorted.
- It creates an "empty space" in which the coffee can fully develop its aroma.
- Those who prepare their palate treat the product with the same care and attention as the producer.
2. Appreciation for sensory perception
The taste of espresso depends not only on the coffee itself, but also on how sensitive the palate is at the time of drinking.
- Water rinses away bothersome residues (e.g., toothpaste, food, alcohol).
- It sharpens perception , allowing nuances such as fruit acidity, bitterness, or sweetness to emerge more clearly.
- Sensory perception is about contrasts, textures, temperature perception – water helps to consciously perceive these.
3. Awareness of sharpening flavors instead of masking them
In the restaurant industry, it's far too often forgotten that coffee doesn't just "work" – it also has an aesthetic effect . The glass of water marks a threshold between what was and what is about to come.
- It signals: Now begins a moment of conscious enjoyment.
- It prevents the espresso from having to compete with other flavors.
- It is an invitation to mindfulness – instead of simply consuming caffeine.
Not all water is the same – which makes perfect sense
The right water is crucial if it is to support, rather than disrupt, sensory perception.
1. Still, at room temperature, low in minerals
-
Still water does not irritate the mucous membranes and prevents irritation.
-
Room temperature (around 18–20 °C) preserves the sensitivity of the palate – ice-cold water would have the opposite effect.
-
The low mineral content ensures that the water is as neutral as possible (ideally: < 150 mg/l total solubility)
2. No ice water
- Cold numbs the taste buds.
- Perception slows down, details disappear.
- Especially with lighter espresso roasts, the subtle aromas are then barely perceptible.
3. No lemon in the water
- A slice of lemon changes the pH level in the mouth.
- Acid can massively distort the perception of caffeine acidity.
- Citrus aromas linger on the tongue for a long time – they overpower fruit or floral notes in espresso.
A glass of water is not an accessory – it is an integral part of a conscious, thoughtful espresso experience . Anyone who drinks high-quality coffee – whether at home or in a café – should give the water the same attention as the coffee itself.
Because: Sensory perception doesn't begin with the first sip of espresso. It begins with the water before it.
Conclusion: Water with espresso – a ritual with meaning
The practice of drinking water with espresso is more than just an Italian coffeehouse cliché . It fulfills a sensorily deliberate function: to neutralize the palate, focus the taste, and perceive the coffee enjoyment more consciously.
The correct answer is:
- Drink water before your espresso – not after.
- It serves for preparation , not correction.
- It is part of a sophisticated coffee culture , not merely decoration.
Those who combine water and espresso correctly experience coffee in its purest form – unfiltered, unadulterated and receptive to every nuance .
A small glass of water – big effect on espresso
When you order an espresso in an Italian café, you almost always get a small glass of still water with it. This ritual is also common in specialty cafés or at upscale roasters – but hardly anyone really knows why you drink water with your espresso . Is it simply tradition, pure service, or is there a sensory purpose behind it?
In this article we will explain:
The origin of the water for espresso
Where does the custom come from?
The practice of serving water with espresso originated in Italy. Even in traditional coffee houses, it was customary to serve a glass of water alongside the coffee. Initially, this wasn't just about taste – but also about courtesy and cleanliness .
Today, the ritual has become established in large parts of Europe and beyond – not as an obligation, but as a sign of a cultivated coffee culture .
Water before or after espresso?
The correct sensory sequence
Typically, you drink the water before the espresso. Why? Because it plays a very specific functional role in the sensory experience :
Water can of course also be drunk after espresso – but then usually for pragmatic reasons: for refreshment, hydration or to neutralize aftertaste.
So: water BEFORE the espresso is sensorially beneficial – afterwards it's optional
Source: Kristina Snowasp via Pexels.com
Myths surrounding water for espresso – what's really true?
Statement
Evaluation
Explanation
People drink water after espresso to neutralize the bitterness.
❌ Incorrect
The water would dilute the aftertaste – the espresso should be allowed to have its full effect.
Water indicates that you are entering a high-quality café.
✅ Correct
Good service in coffee culture goes hand in hand with a clear sensory philosophy.
You are not allowed to drink water during cupping.
✅ Correct
Water would "reset" the palate – during cupping, the aim is to stay within the flavor profile.
Sparkling water is better than still water.
❌ Incorrect
Carbon dioxide can irritate the mucous membranes and disrupt the aroma profile of the coffee.
Espresso vs. Cupping – Why water is omitted during tastings
Drinking espresso and cupping coffee are two fundamentally different sensory disciplines . While espresso is a finished beverage, already shaped through extraction, roasting, and preparation, cupping is a standardized tasting process – reproducible, comparable, and deliberately reduced .
In professional cupping, coffee is ground, brewed with hot water, and then "sipped" to perceive as many aromas as possible simultaneously and undisturbed. And this is precisely the crucial difference: In cupping, water is deliberately omitted between cups.
Why no water during cupping?
1. One remains in the same sensory space
No neutralization is performed between the individual coffees in order not to interrupt the flow of aromas .
2. Water would disrupt sensory continuity.
Drinking water would mean a "reset" – a conscious removal from the sensory context.
3. The focus is on relative perception, not absolute values.
When evaluating espresso, we assess a single shot on its own. Cupping, on the other hand, focuses on differences between roasts, origins, and varieties .
4. The palate learns during cupping.
With each sip, the sensory perception adapts slightly.
No water during cupping – for good reason
The decision to forgo water is not accidental, but a conscious one:
In a cup of espresso, water beforehand can help sharpen the perception. But cupping is about the dynamics between the cups – and that's precisely why water has no place there.
Conclusion: When drinking individual espressos, drinking water beforehand is advisable – when professionally tasting several coffees, this is deliberately avoided.
Sensory analysis, practical application and etiquette – that's what the coffee world says
The unassuming glass of water next to the espresso is far more than a nice gesture. It's a powerful element of a conscious coffee culture , serving both enjoyment and sensory experience. In the professional world – from baristas to Q-graders – it's considered a sign of respect for the product, the customer, and the sensory integrity of the coffee.
Why is water so important?
1. Respect for the product
A high-quality espresso is the result of a long, labor-intensive process – from cultivation and harvesting to roasting and extraction.
2. Appreciation for sensory perception
The taste of espresso depends not only on the coffee itself, but also on how sensitive the palate is at the time of drinking.
3. Awareness of sharpening flavors instead of masking them
In the restaurant industry, it's far too often forgotten that coffee doesn't just "work" – it also has an aesthetic effect . The glass of water marks a threshold between what was and what is about to come.
Not all water is the same – which makes perfect sense
The right water is crucial if it is to support, rather than disrupt, sensory perception.
1. Still, at room temperature, low in minerals
2. No ice water
3. No lemon in the water
A glass of water is not an accessory – it is an integral part of a conscious, thoughtful espresso experience . Anyone who drinks high-quality coffee – whether at home or in a café – should give the water the same attention as the coffee itself.
Because: Sensory perception doesn't begin with the first sip of espresso. It begins with the water before it.
Conclusion: Water with espresso – a ritual with meaning
The practice of drinking water with espresso is more than just an Italian coffeehouse cliché . It fulfills a sensorily deliberate function: to neutralize the palate, focus the taste, and perceive the coffee enjoyment more consciously.
The correct answer is:
Those who combine water and espresso correctly experience coffee in its purest form – unfiltered, unadulterated and receptive to every nuance .