When April Coffee set out to refine the way their coffees are experienced — both in-store and at home — they looked beyond brewing variables and into what truly defines a cup: water.
This collaboration between April Coffee Roasters (Denmark) and APAX LAB (Australia) led to the creation of a tailored mineral profile designed to express April’s signature clarity, aroma, and brightness while being easy to use in real-world brewing conditions.
Why a Custom Mineral Blend?
April has always been at the forefront of precise brewing and sensory design.
Their philosophy revolves around transparency, consistency, and the idea that a coffee’s identity should remain intact — no matter where it’s brewed.
“We wanted water that reflected our coffees — bright, aromatic, and consistent,”
April explains. “We needed a formula flexible enough to adapt to our base water in Copenhagen, which already contains a small amount of minerals.”
In their roastery and café, April uses reverse osmosis (RO) water, but not at full demineralisation — typically 30–40 ppm.
This meant they needed a profile that could complement existing minerals, not overwrite them.
In short: a concentrate that worked as effectively with partially softened water as it did with fully demineralised setups — making it easier for their customers to replicate results at home.
Designing the Profile
We began by translating April’s sensory goals into mineral architecture.
The Brief
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Coffee style: Bright, aromatic, expressive
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Base water: RO at 30–40 ppm
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Objective: Build structure, sweetness, and clarity without neutralising acidity
Simon created four prototypes, each designed to test a slightly different expression of balance, mouthfeel, and acidity.
Each version was tailored not only to April’s coffees but also to work with the April Brewer, ensuring compatibility with their preferred brewing system.
Samples were sent to Copenhagen, where the April team tested, compared, and provided detailed feedback.
Key Insight
The breakthrough came when we removed bicarbonate entirely.
By excluding buffering ions, the profile allowed the natural acidity of April’s coffees to shine — preserving brightness while maintaining tactile balance.
Bringing It to the Bar
April implemented the custom mineral blend directly into their service routine — not through filtration or batch systems, but through post-brew mineralisation.
Baristas now add 1–2 drops per cup on top of their base water, adjusting intensity depending on the coffee.
This approach lets them “tune” each coffee’s expression in real time — from soft and transparent to bright and structured — while sparking conversations with guests.
“We also use it in our tasting menus,” April shares, “adding the drops in front of customers to start conversations about what it does to the coffee.”
The system works because it’s simple, transparent, and reversible — a precision tool, not a locked variable.
Customer Response
Guest feedback has been overwhelmingly positive.
Most customers may not identify what changed — they just know the coffee feels better balanced.
Home brewers, on the other hand, notice the difference immediately.
“We hear from customers who try it at home and can clearly see the before and after. It’s small details that make a big difference.”
April’s Go-To Recipe
Two drops post-brew per cup is the sweet spot — enough to add tactile depth without masking the coffee’s inherent clarity.
Some of their more aromatic lots shine with a slightly higher dose, while delicate origins stay pure and transparent with less.
Beyond the Bar
The April x APAX collaboration quickly made its way to the competition stage.
Nemo Pop, the 2025 Australian AeroPress Champion, used the April profile in his winning recipe — another proof that precision water can reshape what’s possible in coffee.
Final Thoughts
This project represents what APAX LAB stands for — turning flavour philosophy into mineral design.
Every custom profile begins with a conversation about how a coffee should feel, and from there, chemistry becomes a language of expression.
“We think this profile fits our style perfectly,” April concludes. “It’s balanced, expressive, and works seamlessly within our system.”
The April x APAX LAB Custom Profile is now used daily at April’s roastery and café in Copenhagen — and available for purchase directly through their online store.
