McDonald’s coffee was served at a scalding temperature between 180 and 190 degrees Fahrenheit, which was significantly hotter than coffee served at most other restaurants.
Also, actual temperatures may vary slightly depending on individual locations and brewing practices.
McDonald’s served its coffee at such a high temperature primarily for two reasons:
- Flavor Extraction:
Coffee brewed at higher temperatures extracts more flavor from the coffee beans.
The optimal brewing temperature for coffee is typically between 195°F and 205°F.
McDonald’s aimed to deliver a robust and flavorful cup of coffee to its customers. - Consistency and Brand Identity:
McDonald’s wanted to maintain consistency across its outlets worldwide.
By adhering to a specific temperature range, they ensured that customers would experience the same taste and quality regardless of the location.
Additionally, serving hot coffee became part of McDonald’s brand identity.
I would also like to mention that McDonald’s has faced lawsuits and significant public attention regarding the temperature at which they serve their coffee.
Here are some key points about McDonald’s coffee temperature:
• In 1992, Stella Liebeck, 79, spilled McDonald’s coffee on her lap and suffered third-degree burns. She sued McDonald’s and was eventually awarded $2.7 million in punitive damages (later reduced to $480,000).
• The case brought national attention to the fact that McDonald’s served its coffee at between 180-190°F (82-88°C). This is much hotter than the coffee served at most homes or restaurants.
• McDonald’s claimed this high temperature was required to make the coffee taste fresh when customers purchased it. However, critics argued these temperatures were dangerously hot.
• After the Liebeck case, McDonald’s was forced to reduce the service temperature of its coffee to 158-170°F (70-77°C).
• Even at the reduced temperatures, some safety advocates argued McDonald’s coffee was still being served too hot compared to home-brewed coffee at around 135-149°F (57-65°C).