ไทย
Coffee Bean Tips
Why Does My Coffee Taste Bitter? Common Causes and How to Fix It
This blog is created specifically for those times when, for some odd reason, your favourite coffee suddenly starts tasting bitter. Same beans. Same coffee machine. Same grinder. Same brewing method. But suddenly, one day, you take a sip and think, “Why does my coffee taste so bitter?” If nothing about your brewing has changed, it can be surprisingly frustrating. You haven’t changed the recipe, so what could possibly be different?
In this blog, we’ll cover two common situations. First, your favourite coffee has suddenly started tasting bitter, even though you’re using the same beans and brewing it the same way. We’ll look at what could have changed and how to fix bitter coffee. Second, you’ve just bought a new coffee and it tastes bitter to you. In this case, the bitterness may simply come from the type of coffee, the blend or the roast level, rather than something you’re doing wrong. Let’s look at both scenarios and find out what could be behind that bitter cup.
You’ve Just Bought Coffee And It Tastes Bitter
If this is a new bag of coffee, and you feel that the coffee tastes too bitter for you. It may not be caused by the way you make your coffee at all. The roast level, bean variety, origin and blend can make a significant difference to how the coffee tastes. So we’ll start with answering these two questions:
1. What roast level is it? Light, medium, medium-dark, dark or French roast?
Generally, the darker the roast, the more intense, bold and smoky the coffee can taste. If you’re used to a medium roast and have just bought a dark roast, the bitterness may simply be part of the coffee’s flavour profile.
2. What type of coffee is it? 100% Arabica, 100% Robusta or a blend?
Arabica versus Robusta have quite different flavour characteristics. Robusta tends to have a stronger, more intense and more bitter flavour, while Arabica is often associated with sweetness and more aromatic or fruity characteristics.
A blend containing a higher proportion of Robusta can therefore taste considerably more intense than a 100% Arabica coffee.
Different coffees are meant to taste different. You may not have made your coffee incorrectly at all. The coffee itself may simply have a flavour profile that isn’t suited to your taste.
Your Favourite Coffee Suddenly Tastes Bitter
If you’re using the same coffee beans that normally taste delicious, but suddenly your cup tastes bitter, the beans themselves may not be the problem. Start with these three questions:
1. Did you change your grind size?
Your answer is yes: Your coffee may now be extracting differently. If you’ve moved to a finer grind, try going slightly coarser and see if the bitterness improves.
Your answer no: Move on to the next question.
2. Did you change your brewing time or water temperature?
If yes: Brewing for longer or using hotter water can lead to over-extraction and a more bitter cup. Try returning to your previous brewing time or using slightly cooler water.
If no: Move on to the next question.
3. Has it been a while since you cleaned your coffee machine or grinder?
The answer is yes: Give your machine and grinder a good clean. Old coffee oils and residue can build up over time and affect the flavour, sometimes creating a bitter or stale taste.
The answer is no: If your grind, brewing and equipment are all the same, it’s time to look at the beans themselves. Check their freshness, storage and whether anything else about the coffee has changed.
If your answers are no to all of the above questions, it’s time to look at the beans. If everything else has stayed the same, the freshness, storage or condition of the coffee could be affecting the flavour.
What Makes Coffee Taste Bitter?
If your answers are no to all the questions above, other possible causes include:
- Your coffee-to-water ratio is too high
- Your coffee has been sitting on a hot plate for too long
- The beans are stale
- The beans haven’t been stored properly
- Your water quality has changed
- The coffee itself has naturally bitter characteristics
- The beans may have been affected by heat, moisture, light or air
Quick & Easy Ways to Fix Bitter Coffee
Try these simple adjustments:
- Try a Tiny Pinch of Salt. It might sound strange, but a very small pinch of salt can help reduce the perception of bitterness in coffee. You only need a tiny amount.
- Add a little more water to soften a strong or bitter cup.
- Use slightly less coffee if the brew tastes too intense.
- Try a coarser grind if the coffee is over-extracted.
- Use slightly cooler water if you’re brewing with very hot water.
- Shorten the brewing time if the coffee is spending too long in contact with water.
- Add milk to soften bitterness and create a smoother cup.
- Try a lighter roast if you simply prefer a less intense flavour.
Tip: Change just one thing at a time so you know what actually improved the cup.
Looking for a Smooth, Less Bitter Coffee?
If you prefer coffee that isn’t too bitter, start with a medium roast, 100% Arabica and coffees described as smooth, sweet, nutty or chocolatey.
Three coffees to explore:
