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Why is my Coffee Always Bitter?

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If you have ever experienced bitter, unpleasant coffee, it was probably over-extracted. Many people confuse over-extraction with coffee strength. So, in an attempt to avoid the bitterness, they ask for weaker coffee. As you are about to find out, this is one of the worst things you could do. A weaker brew will only result in more unpleasant bitterness.

Over-extraction occurs when the brewing process extracts too much from the coffee beans. Not only are the fine, flavoursome oils extracted, so too are the bitter oils from deep within the bean. The most common reasons for over-extraction include using too little coffee, using water that is too hot, or brewing the coffee for too long.

Instead of brewing weaker coffee, here are some tips to guarantee proper extraction. The result will be a smooth, full-flavoured coffee without bitterness.

Be generous with your coffee…

If you try to make a large quantity of coffee with a small amount of beans, the coffee will be over-extracted. The result will be a weak, bitter-tasting brew. For regular coffee, use one generously heaped tablespoon of coffee per 200ml serve. For a single shot of espresso, use 6-7 grams of tightly packed coffee grounds per 40-50ml.

Use water that is just off the boil…

If boiling water is used to brew coffee, the heat quickly over-extracts the beans. It also scalds the delicate coffee oils, resulting in a burnt and bitter-tasting brew. Instead, simply wait one-to-three minutes after the kettle has boiled. Your coffee might not be as hot, but it will certainly taste better.

Use the correct grind size for your equipment…

If beans are ground too finely, the coffee is extracted too quickly, resulting in over-extraction. As a rule, the longer the brewing time, the coarser the grind. Always use a fine grind setting for espresso, a medium grind for drip/filter and percolators and a coarse grind for French Press (plunger).

Don't brew for any longer than necessary…

Leaving coffee to brew for too long will result in a bitter, foul-tasting brew. When using electric machines with hot-plates, it is especially important not to let coffee stand for any longer than 15 minutes. Correct brewing times vary according to your equipment. Espresso should be brewed for 20-25 seconds and French Press for 2-4 minutes. When using the drip/filter or percolator methods, the grind-size should be such that the water takes no longer than a few minutes to pass through the coffee grounds.

If you follow these tips and find that your coffee still tastes bitter, try grinding your beans more coarsely, or brewing for a shorter length of time. Also be sure to clean your equipment to remove residue and rancid coffee oils. For more brewing tips for good coffee at home, visit www.coffee-makers-cafe.com, where you'll find detailed information about correct coffee-to-water ratios, brewing temperatures and grind size.

By Shona Lynch
www.coffee-makers-cafe.com

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