Why Your Coffee Tastes Bitter and How to Fix It

A bitter cup of coffee can be disappointing, especially when you’re craving a smooth and flavorful brew. Bitterness in coffee is usually caused by over-extraction, where the coffee grounds are brewed for too long or with water that’s too hot, pulling out unpleasant flavours. Other factors like using stale beans, grinding too finely, or adding too much coffee can also contribute to an overly bitter taste.

To fix this, start by adjusting your brewing time and temperature. Ideally, water should be between 195-205°F (90-96°C) to extract the right balance of flavours without burning the grounds. If using a drip coffee maker or French press, try reducing the brewing time slightly to avoid over-extraction. Additionally, ensuring a proper grind size for your brewing method—coarser for French press and finer for espresso—can prevent unwanted bitterness.

Choosing fresh, high-quality coffee beans is another key step in improving taste. Coffee loses its freshness over time, so buying whole beans and grinding them just before brewing preserves their natural flavours. Also, consider switching to a lighter roast, as darker roasts tend to have a more bitter profile due to prolonged roasting.

Finally, if your coffee still tastes too bitter, a simple solution is to tweak the coffee-to-water ratio. Using too much coffee for the amount of water can lead to an overpowering taste, so adjusting the proportions to suit your preference can make a significant difference. By making these small changes, you can enjoy a smoother, well-balanced cup of coffee every time.