You’ve always been able to rely on the invigorating taste and aroma of your favorite morning elixir. But one morning you brew a cup, as usual, take a sip, and cannot resist the urge to spit it out. Your coffee tastes bad, and you don’t know why.
Here are 10 possible reasons:
Your Grind is the Wrong Size
The grind of your coffee affects the taste and flavor. If your coffee tastes weak, it’s because the grounds were too large and so they were under-extracted. If it tastes too strong or bitter, it’s because the grounds were too smoothly ground, and some may have passed through the filter. So, depending on the type of coffee you want to brew, you’d need to know which grind goes with your brewing method. And to do that, you need a quality coffee grinder.
The Beans are Poor Quality
When it comes to coffee, there’s one truth: not all coffee beans are created equal. So, if you want a quality brew, you need to get quality coffee beans. The quality of your coffee beans will affect the taste of your coffee. To fix that, avoid coffee beans with vague labels and try to stick to reputable brands.
You Used the Wrong Equipment
You can’t make espresso without espresso machines. Actually, there’s no rule that says you can’t, but you definitely won’t get the same taste. If you are on a budget, then it’s completely fine to look for alternatives. But, with coffee, the right equipment matters. And a quality machine that matches your brew choice will always make more sense than the alternative.
It’s About Time you Changed Your Coffee Maker
So, maybe you are a little attached to your coffee maker, and how could you not? It’s been with you through the worst of it all. But maybe it’s time to let it go. Eventually, even the best and most authentic coffee makers will break down. Some simply take a nosedive for no reason. When that happens, you need to get a new machine, or the taste of your coffee will suffer.
Using Bad Water
The quality of your water is just as important as the quality of your coffee beans. If foreign particles find their way into your water, it will affect the overall taste of your coffee. And foreign particles in water are not just bad for your coffee, they are bad for your health. The best option here is to filter the water before you drink or brew coffee. Avoid using straight tap water or distilled water - the former will impart an unpleasant taste in the coffee, and the latter won't do any favors in terms of flavor.
Your Equipment is Dirty
When was the last time you cleaned your coffee maker? Not just the coffee pot and filter area, but the rest of the machine where water passes through? Most people feel a quick rinse after brewing coffee will take care of the cleaning, but it doesn’t. Your coffee maker needs a thorough wash to keep out the bacteria and keep your coffee delicious.
You Used the Wrong Temperature
When it comes to brewing excellent coffee, the tiniest detail is important, and the temperature is a very important detail. Most people don’t really pay attention to it, but it can make or break the taste of your coffee. The perfect temperature for brewing coffee is between 195 and 205 Fahrenheit. Your water should be hot, not boiling.
You Brewed Your Coffee Wrong
This happens, especially if you are a beginner. Brewing your coffee wrong can be because of the equipment you use. For instance, if you are brewing your coffee with a French press machine, you want the ground coarse, not powder smooth. That’s why it’s important you match your brew method to your coffee grind. However, sometimes brewing your coffee wrong could be a mistake like pouring too much water or using the wrong temperature.
The Coffee Beans Aren’t Fresh
Coffee beans get stale, no matter the quality. Roasted coffee beans are oxidized, so they lose their freshness when they are exposed to air. If your coffee beans get stale, throw them out, there’s not much you can do about it. And, to keep them fresh, store your coffee beans in an opaque air-tight container.
Wrong Ingredients
Some people like their coffee black, while others don’t mind spicing it up. There are a lot of coffee ingredients out there, but not all of them are great. Maybe you tried a new ingredient in your coffee and the taste is underwhelming; dump it. There are a lot of great ingredients out there to spice up your coffee.
Now, you can figure out the reason for your bad coffee, and go back to enjoying your favorite elixir.
