Apax Labs

Buy Apax Labs Switzerland – Precise Water Chemistry for Specialty Coffee

Brew water is the most overlooked element in specialty coffee. Mineral composition directly influences extraction: magnesium enhances acidity clarity, calcium contributes body and bitterness, bicarbonate buffers and dampens. Tap water varies greatly depending on the region. Apax Labs solves this problem with dosed mineral concentrates based on distilled water. You get reproducible, precisely defined brew water – consistent shot after shot, filter after filter. Coffee Coaching Club is the exclusive Swiss importer for Apax Labs.

What makes Apax Labs distinctive

Three characteristics define the brand. First, the distilled water-plus-concentrate principle: you start with fully demineralized water (distilled water from a pharmacy or drugstore, or reverse osmosis water) and add a measured Apax concentrate – reproducible water chemistry without variability due to water region. Second, the multiple profiles: TONIK, JAMM, LYLAC, and Konflux have different mineral profiles for different brewing methods and roasts – you choose depending on the bean and method. Third, Swiss availability: as the exclusive importer, we have the complete Apax range directly in stock with German product information and advice.

The Apax Profiles

Who is Apax Labs for

Roasters with cupping and tasting areas who want reproducible water chemistry for their internal Q-Grader sessions. Specialty cafés that want to make their shot character independent of location. Competition baristas who work with defined water chemistry in the Brewers' Cup or Barista Championship. Home baristas with endgame ambition who want to get the last percent of reproducibility out of their setup – Apax Labs is often the last optimization after machine, grinder, and beans.

For a more practical daily water solution: Brita filter jug (home) or Brita Purity C iQ (café mains water). Both reliably reduce hardness and remove chlorine without deeply interfering with mineralization. Apax Labs is the next level – for those who want to understand brew water as a consciously designed variable, Apax is the way to go.

How the workflow works

Step one: get fully demineralized water (distilled water from a pharmacy or drugstore, or a reverse osmosis system). Step two: dose Apax concentrate according to instructions (typically a few drops per liter). Step three: mix well and fill into the espresso machine's water tank or kettle. Important: Apax water is optimized for brewing – not designed for drinking. For machines with a fixed water connection, a reverse osmosis system is typically used instead of Apax – contact us for specific setup questions.

What goes well with it

For the espresso machine: La Marzocco, Rocket Espresso, ECM, Bezzera, Profitec. For pour-over: HARIO V60, Chemex. For alternative daily filtering: Brita. For precision baskets: IMS. For premium scales: Acaia Lunar, Pearl, Pyxis. For beans from our own roastery: CCC-Own Roasts with Cozy Chocolate, Nutty Delight, Wild Peach, Bright Cassis – light specialty roasts particularly benefit from TONIK or LYLAC profiles.

Frequently Asked Questions

Which Apax profile for which bean?

Light specialty roasts with fruit character: TONIK or LYLAC. Classic espresso roasts with a focus on body: JAMM. Pour-over and filter: LYLAC. For tasting multiple profiles: Konflux as an experimental set.

Do I need a reverse osmosis system?

For home setups with a tank machine, distilled water from a pharmacy or drugstore is sufficient. For café setups with a fixed water connection, reverse osmosis is more practical than manual Apax mixing.

Apax Labs or Brita?

Brita: practical standard filtering for daily workflow, reduces hardness and chlorine, fast. Apax: precise mineralization based on distilled water for reproducible water chemistry. For maximum brew water control: both can be combined (Brita as pre-filter, Apax for cupping).

How long does an Apax bottle last?

Varies depending on the profile and dosage – typically one bottle is sufficient for several liters of brew water. Precise dosage instructions are in the package insert.

Can I test Apax live before buying?

Yes – by appointment in the showrooms in Bern (Gerberngasse 44) and Zurich Oerlikon (Hagenholzstrasse 50b), we offer Apax tastings with our roasts.