Why does my coffee taste so bitter?

Get rid of your bitter coffee in 5 steps.

Troubled by bitter coffee? Whether you brew it manually, drink espresso, or use a fully automatic coffee machine, bitter coffee is often caused by incorrect settings, poor-quality beans, or dirty equipment. With these 5 tips, you'll make every cup a delicious experience!

You know that feeling? You take a sip of your coffee and it tastes bitter. So bitter that only a few generous spoonfuls of sugar or milk can neutralize it.

Plus, you'll need a liter of water afterward to wash away that taste. Okay, coffee is meant to give you a boost, but shouldn't this be about enjoyment?

Is your coffee bitter or does it suddenly taste bitter? We'll teach you how to recognize this and quickly and easily fix it.

Are you a visual learner? Then watch the video at the bottom of the blog post that explains why coffee tastes bitter. This video is in English.

Causes of bitter coffee

This is why your coffee tastes bitter

Bitter coffee is simply coffee that is completely out of balance.

This could be due to:

• the quality or temperature of the water what you use to make your coffee.
• A dirty device.
• Poor quality coffee beans, often roasted too dark.
• Or over-extraction, we'll explain what that means later.

Unfortunately, many people don't know that you can get rid of your bitter coffee quite easily.

Many people therefore settle for a cup of bitter coffee every day (and perhaps an unnecessary amount of sugar and milk) to neutralise the taste.

After reading this blog, you too can make a delicious cup of coffee that's not too bitter, but smooth, subtle, and slightly sweet. Your day will automatically get better!

Also read: All coffee types explained

Water quality and temperature

(Too) hot water makes coffee bitter

Do you make coffee manually with a Chemex or V60 for example, and do you let the water boil completely before pouring it over?

Then there is a good chance that you are burning the coffee and your coffee will have a bitter taste.

The coffee simply gets too hot, and unwanted flavors develop. A recommended water temperature is between 92 and 96 degrees Celsius.

Are you a true espresso drinker and do you regularly drink bitter coffee? Then take a look at the temperature your machine is set to.

If it's on the high side, turn it down a bit and taste the difference. Not all espresso machines can be adjusted for temperature.

In that case, a good tip is to first 'flushed' some water before placing the piston in the machine so that the hottest water is gone.

Reading tip: Make an espresso like a real barista.

You can also easily adjust your (fully automatic) bean machine so that you have optimal control over the quality of your cup of coffee.

So the next time you think, "Hey, my coffee tastes bitter," check your water temperature while brewing.

In this case, the bitter taste is actually just the taste of burnt coffee.

You can compare this to your dinner; if you cook it on too high a heat, you can't really blame the supermarket for those nasty flavors :-)

Simple tip: Once the water has boiled, let it cool for a minute or two before pouring the coffee. Trust me, you'll notice the difference right away!

Dirty equipment makes for bitter coffee

A coffee maker is for making coffee, sure. But this appliance also needs to be properly maintained and cleaned regularly to ensure you can serve that delicious cup of coffee every day.

Like any appliance in the kitchen, cleaning it improves the quality of your final product.

Unfortunately, when it comes to coffee, this doesn't only apply to those professional catering appliances, but also to your filter coffee machine at home...

Coffee residue that eventually remains everywhere can leave behind unwanted flavors that can result in a bitter cup of coffee.

If you're wondering when you last did this, clean your machine now! It's very easy and doesn't have to be expensive...

You can often find helpful tips online if you search specifically for the cleaning routine for your type of coffee maker.

For example, read here how to clean a Sage espresso machine .

Poor quality coffee beans

Of course, a balanced cup of coffee starts with a good quality coffee bean. Good coffee beans are carefully produced, picked, and packaged.

The next step is for the roaster to bring out the best flavors in the coffee beans, without roasting the beans too dark.

In addition, it is very important that the coffee beans are freshly roasted are.

So find a coffee roaster that emphasizes the flavors you love (tastes differ, after all) and one that doesn't work with stock and always roasts to order.

If your coffee is bitter, there is a good chance that the beans are not fresh, roasted too dark, or of substandard quality .

Drinking Specialty Coffee also significantly reduces the chance of bitter coffee.

Specialty coffee roasters often use 100% Arabica coffee beans and don't roast them too dark to highlight the coffee's unique flavors.

These are precisely not the bitter flavors.

Arabica vs. Robusta coffee beans

Robusta coffee beans produce bitter coffee

You've probably heard of 100% Arabica or Robusta coffee beans . Many coffees you buy in the supermarket are made largely from Robusta beans. These beans grow lower than Arabica beans. At lower altitudes, Robusta coffee beans are more exposed to bacteria and other threats. Therefore, the coffee bean contains more caffeine (which gives coffee its bitter taste) to better withstand these natural enemies.

Therefore, always choose 100% Arabica coffee beans to be (almost) certain that you do not buy bitter coffee.

Also read: What types of coffee beans are there?

View our range of 100% Arabica coffee beans .

Over-extraction makes coffee bitter

This reason for bitter coffee is also easy to find out, provided you grind the coffee yourself for each coffee moment .

Experiment with different settings on your coffee grinder to see if it makes a difference to your taste.

In general, the finer the coffee is ground, the greater the chance of bitter coffee - but this of course depends entirely on the brewing method and the roast of the coffee beans.

Espresso machine adjustment

Do you have an espresso machine at home to make coffee? Then the reasons mentioned above are even more important.

Because espresso is brewed under high pressure, all the flavors are even more pronounced. People often also think that espresso is, and should be, bitter.

But this is absolutely not true; nothing beats a sweet, nutty, and sometimes refreshing espresso. In a bitter espresso, you're actually more likely to taste that your machine is dirty, the quality of your beans is too low, or the grind is too fine.

Read here how to make an espresso in 6 simple steps.

Get rid of your bitter coffee in 5 steps

The most constructive way to banish bitter coffee or espresso from your home is to look at the different variables step by step.

Step 1:

Never cleaned your machine before? Start here.

Step 2:

Order a bag of beautiful fresh coffee beans.

Step 3:

Heat the water to about 95 degrees and evaluate the result.

Still bitter coffee?

Step 4:

Then check the grind of the coffee. Try grinding it coarser and test the results. Adjust it until your coffee tastes more sweet than bitter.

Step 5:

For espresso machine users: Check that you're using a suitable recipe for your espresso preparation.

Has your coffee quality improved? Let us know if your coffee no longer tastes bitter using the tips above! Or do you have any other tips for us?

FAQ: Frequently Asked Questions about Bitter Coffee

Q: Why does my coffee taste bitter?
A: Bitter coffee is usually caused by over-extraction, excessively high water temperatures, poor-quality coffee beans, or a dirty coffee maker. By addressing these factors, you can easily reduce the bitter taste.

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Q: What is the best water temperature for making coffee?
A: The ideal water temperature for coffee is between 92 and 96 degrees Celsius. This prevents the coffee from burning and tasting bitter. Let boiling water cool for a minute before using it.

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Q: How do I prevent over-extraction when brewing coffee?
A: You can prevent over-extraction by using the correct grind size for your brewing method. A coarser grind often results in a less bitter flavor. Experiment with different settings until the flavor is balanced.

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Q: How often should I clean my coffee maker?
A: You should thoroughly clean your coffee maker at least once a month, depending on usage. Regular cleaning prevents the buildup of coffee grounds that can make the coffee taste bitter.

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Q: Are Arabica beans less bitter than Robusta beans?
A: Yes, Arabica beans contain less caffeine and have a milder flavor than Robusta beans, which are often more bitter and sharp. Choose 100% Arabica beans to reduce the risk of bitter coffee.

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Q: Can I salvage bitter coffee without brewing a new cup?
A: If your coffee tastes bitter, you can soften the flavor by adding a little extra water. This will dilute the bitter flavor, but it's best to address the cause the next time you brew.

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Q: How do I properly adjust my espresso machine for less bitter coffee?
A: Make sure your machine's temperature is around 92 degrees Celsius (200 degrees Fahrenheit) and use the correct grind. Flush hot water through the machine before brewing to prevent burnt flavors.

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Q: What are Specialty Coffee beans?
A: Specialty coffee beans are high-quality coffee beans that have been carefully grown and roasted. They are typically roasted lighter to emphasize the natural, sweet, and fruity flavors, reducing the chance of bitterness.

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Q: What can I do if my coffee still tastes bitter?
A: Follow the 5 steps in the article: clean your machine, use fresh Arabica beans, check your water temperature, adjust the grind, and experiment with your brewing method. This will help you achieve a balanced cup of coffee.

VIDEO: Why Does my Coffee Taste Bitter, Sour or Burnt? (English)