Apax Lab TDS Meter – When rates become certainty
Imagine this: You mix your coffee water according to the recipe. 8 drops of tonic per liter. You think: "That should be right." But you don't know. You're just hoping so.
You brew your coffee. Sometimes it tastes brilliant. Sometimes bland. Sometimes too strong. You ask yourself: "What's wrong?"
The answer? You're guessing. You're not measuring.
The Apax Lab TDS Meter puts an end to the guesswork. It measures the exact concentration of dissolved minerals in your water (PPM – Parts Per Million) in seconds. It shows you in black and white: "Your water has 95 PPM. Perfect." Or: "Your water has 180 PPM. Too high. Correct it."
This isn't just a gadget. This is your navigation system for perfect water. It's the essential tool for verifying your Apax Lab recipes and guaranteeing consistent results – every day, every cup of coffee, perfectly reproducible. Or maybe it is a gadget after all? You decide!
As the exclusive Apax Lab importer in Switzerland, we offer you this precision tool directly – with support, warranty and the knowledge that you are receiving the original.
The chemist's perspective: Conductivity is truth.
What the TDS meter actually measures – and why it is so important: As coffee roasters and flavor specialists, we understand that water is never "just water". It is a solution – H₂O with dissolved minerals (magnesium, calcium, bicarbonate).
The TDS meter measures the
electrical conductivity (EC) of water. Pure H₂O does not conduct electricity – it is an insulator. But as soon as minerals are dissolved in it, the water becomes conductive. The more minerals, the higher the conductivity.
The TDS meter converts this conductivity into
PPM (parts per million) – a number that immediately tells you how "mineralized" your water is.
Why is this critical?
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Too few minerals (below 40 ppm): The coffee tastes flat, empty, and thin. Water needs minerals to extract and bind flavors. Without them, the coffee remains bland.
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Too many minerals (over 150 PPM): The coffee tastes masked, muted, blocked. The minerals overpower the delicate aromas. You taste the water, not the coffee.
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The sweet spot (80-120 PPM): This is where the magic happens. Enough minerals for extraction and body, but not so many that they overpower the aromas. Maximum clarity. Maximum complexity. Perfect.
With this TDS meter, you'll always hit the sweet spot. You'll no longer guess. You'll know.
Your workflow: Measure instead of guess.
The TDS meter is simple to use. But the difference it makes is enormous. Imagine:
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Zero check (verify the baseline):
Test your base water – distilled or reverse osmosis. The TDS meter should read 0-10 PPM. If it reads higher, your base water isn't clean enough. This is your starting point – a blank canvas.
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Mixing (according to recipe):
Add your Apax Lab drops – tonic , jam , Lylac , whatever you use. 8 drops per liter? 10 drops? Follow the recipe.
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Verify (The moment of truth):
Hold the TDS meter in the water. Press the button. Wait 3 seconds. It will display a number – 95 PPM, 110 PPM, 180 PPM. That's your reality. That's what you have.
Does it show the target value (e.g., 100 PPM for tonic water )? Perfect. Now you can brew – with the assurance that your water is correct.
Does it show 180 PPM instead of 100 PPM? Then you know: You've overdosed. Correct it next time. That's control. That's science.
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Reproducibility (The real gain):
From now on, you'll always know where you stand. Your coffee tastes brilliant today? You check the TDS meter: 95 PPM. Want the same taste tomorrow? You blend until it reaches 95 PPM. Done. Reproducible. Perfect.
That's the difference between a hobby and a craft. Between "approximately" and "exactly". Between guesswork and knowledge.
Technical details – Precision in your hand
Who is a TDS meter right for?
You don't need the TDS meter. You can just count the drops and hope for the best.
But treat yourself to a TDS meter if:
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You use Apax Lab Profile. If you mix tonic , jam , or Lylac , the TDS meter is essential. It verifies your recipes.
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You're looking for reproducibility. If you want your coffee to taste the same today as it did yesterday.
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Your tap water varies. In many regions, the water hardness changes seasonally.
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You're a nerd. If you love data. If you want to understand what's happening in your cup.
Or maybe you simply want it because you deserve the best. Because a TDS meter costs less than two bags of premium coffee – but improves every cup of coffee you ever drink.
That's reason enough.
What you will receive
- Apax Lab TDS Meter (Titanium probe, pre-calibrated)
- Protective cap (to protect the probe)
- Battery (pre-installed, ready to use)
- Instructions (English)
- Support from the exclusive Swiss importer
As the exclusive Apax Lab importer , we guarantee original products, fast delivery and full support.
Frequently asked questions about the TDS meter
Can I also use it to measure espresso?
No. The TDS meter is only for water – it measures the minerals in the water (magnesium, calcium, etc.). For dissolved coffee solids in espresso (TDS of the cup), you need a refractometer – a different technology that measures light refraction. Two different tools, two different jobs.
What PPM value is ideal for coffee?
The sweet spot is usually between 80-120 PPM . For espresso, it tends to be slightly higher (100-120 PPM for more body), for pour-over slightly lower (80-100 PPM for more clarity). With Apax Lab recipes, you'll automatically land in this optimal range.
Do I need to calibrate the TDS meter?
No – it comes pre-calibrated and ready to use. If you use it for years, you can recalibrate it with a calibration solution (84 PPM or 1413 PPM standard). But for most users, this is never necessary.
What if my tap water already has 200 PPM?
Then it's too harsh for Apax Lab Profile . You need a clean base – distilled water (from the supermarket) or reverse osmosis water (e.g., filtered). Apax Lab only works with 0-10 PPM base water. The TDS meter will immediately show you if your base is clean enough.
How long does the battery last?
With normal use (1-2 measurements per day), the battery lasts 6-12 months. Replaceable standard battery (see instructions).
Trust only facts – never guess again
Get the Apax Lab TDS meter for complete control over your water. Available immediately from our Swiss warehouse.
📦 Available immediately in Bern & Zurich | 🇨🇭 Exclusive importer | 🛡️ 1-year warranty
Roastery tip: If you're working with Apax Lab profiles , a TDS meter is essential. Measure your water before brewing. Does it read 95 PPM? Perfect – your Wild Peach with tonic will be brilliant. Does it read 180 PPM? Too high – your coffee will taste masked. Adjust before you brew. That's the difference between guessing and knowing. That's why you need a TDS meter.
