4 Ways To Use APAX LAB Behind the Bar

Coffee is an ever-evolving craft, and water chemistry plays a crucial role in unlocking the flavours and nuances of every bean. APAX LAB offers cafés an innovative way to tailor water profiles, enhancing the taste experience and allowing the coffee’s true potential to shine. Whether you run a bustling café or a boutique coffee bar, here are four practical ways to integrate APAX LAB into your workflow.

1. Direct Addition to Brewed Coffee

If you’re looking for the simplest and fastest way to incorporate APAX LAB, adding a few drops directly into the cup is the perfect solution. After brewing a filter coffee with your existing water, as a barista you can either taste and adjust on the spot or follow pre-set recipes specific to each coffee.

For example:

• Add 3 drops of JAMM to highlight the body and sweetness of an Ethiopian Natural.
• Add 4 drops of TONIK to bring out the brightness and balance in a Washed Kenyan.

This method requires minimal preparation while offering maximum impact. It’s especially ideal for cafés wanting to explore flavour adjustments without overhauling their current systems. Additionally, this approach gives baristas a hands-on, creative role in refining the final cup.

2. Tweaking Your Brewing Water

For those ready to dive deeper into water customisation, tweaking your current brewing water is an excellent next step. Using your existing filtered water as a base, you can prepare batches ahead of service by adding APAX to create tailored water profiles. This allows you to brew directly with water optimised for specific coffees. For instance:

• Dedicate a batch of water for each APAX profile (e.g. one for JAMM, another for TONIK).
• Experiment with blends of profiles using recommended recipes to suit your menu offerings.

This method does require some initial testing to determine the ideal mineral adjustments for your water base. However, once established, the results are consistent and can significantly elevate the clarity, sweetness, and balance of your brewed coffee.

3. Creating Water from Scratch

For ultimate precision and control, consider crafting your brewing water from scratch. This involves using demineralised or very low PPM water (such as reverse osmosis or distilled water) as a blank slate, then adding APAX LAB to create bespoke water profiles. Each profile can be tailored to the coffees on your menu, ensuring optimal extraction and flavour.

This approach is particularly beneficial for high-end cafés or specialty coffee events where every detail counts. While it requires more preparation and a deeper understanding of water chemistry, the rewards are unparalleled. By starting with a clean slate, you can achieve the perfect balance of minerals to showcase each coffee’s unique characteristics.

4. Customer Interaction: The APAX Seasoning Station

For a fun and interactive twist, why not let your customers join in the flavour journey? Setting up an APAX seasoning station allows clients to add a few drops themselves, much like they might add milk or sugar. This approach not only personalises their experience but also educates them about how water chemistry impacts coffee flavour.

For example, you could:

• Offer tasting notes or guidance at the station, suggesting combinations like “Add 2 drops of Tonik to enhance brightness”.
• Encourage experimentation, allowing customers to explore different profiles and find their preferred flavour balance.

This hands-on element creates a memorable experience and strengthens your café’s reputation as a leader in coffee innovation.