5 Common Mistakes to Avoid When Making Coffee

Your coffee doesn't taste good anymore. Or maybe it never tasted good to you, that's also possible. That's why you're constantly looking for the perfect coffee bean that you will like.

But did you know that it is often not the coffee you make that is the problem? Many mistakes are made every day when making coffee at home.

These are mistakes that are relatively easy to avoid . What would you think if with a few adjustments to your coffee routine you could make really delicious coffee every day?

That's why I've made an overview of the 5 most common mistakes when making coffee and how you can easily avoid them.

Using old or pre-ground coffee

One of the biggest sins in the coffee world is using old or pre-ground coffee . Coffee beans begin to lose their flavor and aroma as soon as they are ground. This means that pre-ground coffee often does not provide the desired flavor profile.

Why freshness matters

Fresh coffee beans contain oils and aromas that contribute to the rich flavor of your coffee. When these beans are ground, they immediately begin to lose these essential elements. This results in a cup of coffee that can be flat and flavorless.

How to get fresh coffee

Invest in a good coffee grinder . This will allow you to grind your beans right before brewing, which will give you a much fresher flavor. Also, try to use your beans within six to eight weeks of the roast date for best results.

What to avoid

Avoid buying large quantities of pre-ground coffee unless you know you will use it soon. Instead, buy smaller quantities of whole beans and grind them yourself.

At Zwarte Roes we roast the coffee fresh daily. So when you order your coffee beans from us you are sure to get the freshest coffee. We can also grind the coffee to order, but personally I always recommend using coffee beans.

This gives the best results even after 6 weeks after roasting.

Incorrect coffee-water ratio

The ratio of coffee to water is crucial to making a good cup of coffee. This is also called a coffee recipe. Too much or too little coffee can significantly affect the taste, making your coffee too strong or too weak.

The importance of the right ratio

A correct ratio ensures that your coffee has the right balance between bitterness and sweetness. For espresso we always recommend a ratio of 1:2/3, but for a Hario V60 for example a 1:15 ratio.

Tips for the perfect ratio

Use a kitchen scale for accurate measurements. This will help you get consistent results. Experiment with different ratios to find what works best for you.

Common Mistakes

Many people use a standard coffee maker without measuring the correct amounts. This can lead to inconsistencies in taste. Try manual methods such as a French press or a pour-over to gain more control over the ratio.

We provide brewing advice and a corresponding recipe with all our coffees . This gives you a good starting point for home and you know which direction to go. Of course, I always recommend fine-tuning the recipe because one machine is not the same as the other.

Not Cleaning Your Equipment Properly

Cleaning your coffee equipment is an often overlooked step, but it is essential for maintaining great coffee flavor. Dirt and oil can build up in your equipment and affect the flavor of your coffee.

Why cleaning is important

Oil and coffee residue can develop a rancid taste that will contaminate your next cup of coffee. Regular cleaning keeps your equipment in top condition and ensures a consistent, delicious taste.

How to clean your equipment

Clean your coffee machine and other equipment such as your coffee grinder and filter holder regularly. Use a soft brush to remove coffee grounds and rinse all parts thoroughly. Consider a periodic deep cleaning with special cleaners for coffee machines.

What to avoid

Avoid not cleaning your equipment for long periods of time. Even if you think it's not necessary, small build-ups of oil and residue can quickly affect the taste of your coffee.

Do you use an espresso machine at home? Then I recommend that you backflush it at least once a week and descale it once a month.

Use of poor quality water

Water is one of the most important ingredients in your cup of coffee, and its quality can make a big difference in the final taste. Tap water often contains impurities that can negatively affect the taste of your coffee.

The influence of water quality on coffee

Minerals and impurities in tap water can distort the taste of your coffee. Filtered or bottled water will give you a purer, more pronounced taste. Using poor quality water can leave you with a bitter or metallic aftertaste.

Tips for better water

Always use filtered water to prevent impurities from affecting the taste of your coffee. There are special water filters available that are designed to maintain the perfect balance of minerals for brewing coffee.

Common mistakes

Some people use tap water straight away without thinking about the effects on the taste. Others use distilled water, which has no minerals, which can make the coffee flat and tasteless. A good middle ground is filtered water, which retains the right balance of minerals.

Conclusion

You have now seen that the problem of a disappointing coffee taste is often not only due to the beans themselves, but also to the way the coffee is made at home.

You may not have fully realized how much your routine affects the end result, but with a few simple adjustments, you can enjoy a great cup of coffee every day.

The mistakes we've discussed are easy to avoid. By making these small adjustments, you'll notice that your coffee will suddenly taste much better.

These are seemingly simple steps, but they make a world of difference.