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The general consensus for hot drinks is always drink them while still hot because at that temperature, they always taste the best.
Unfortunately, this is not the case with brewed coffee. Of course, you have to brew the coffee at near boiling water (96degree Celcius to be precise) in order to extract all the best coffee flavours that particular coffee has to offer. However if you intend to taste the full potential (especially when you are drinking a single origin coffee), then read on.
The temperature of the coffee after brewing is usually around 90degree Celcius or less depending on the various factors like brewing method used, cold/warm cups, quality of the coffee maker and etc. At this degree of drinking temperature, it is mission impossible to be able to identify the real coffee flavours and cut through the roast flavours. And most of the times you will get your tongue burned if not careful enough.
So what is the right temperature to start drinking your coffee? Let it be slightly cooler and only start drinking it when it is around the 70degree Celcius mark. From my experience of drinking a freshly brewed single origin coffee (either it is a Kenyan, Costa Rica, Sumatra, etc.) every morning, I would say coffee is at its best when it is around 60-65degree Celcius mark. That is when you get to taste the natural sweetness, full body, fruitiness (acidity) and other coffee flavours (that will depend on how good is your taste palate). If you do drink wine, then you might understand what I am trying to say here.
DO NOT BELIEVE WHAT I SAID?
Try to brew a cup of single origin coffee at home and only start drinking when it starts get warm.
Photo credit: Coffee Geek, Jimseven
