Tired of asking yourself ‘why is my coffee bitter?’ You’ve come to the right place. There’s nothing more disappointing than when you go to take your first sip of coffee only to find that it tastes bitter. If your coffee tastes sour or you simply want to know how to make coffee taste good all the time, there are plenty of ways to do so.

There are a few factors that can result in bitter coffee or sour espresso, all of which are addressed below so that you can learn how to make coffee less bitter and more delicious. Whether it be poor quality coffee grounds, dirty brewing equipment, or an inaccurate coffee-to-water ratio, discover these top tips on how to make coffee taste better.

Before you can find a solution to bitter coffee or sour espresso, you must address the question ‘why is my coffee bitter?’ If your coffee tastes sour, it could be due to the following reasons:

• Dirty brewing equipment

• Poor-quality coffee beans 

• Coffee grinds are too small

• Incorrect brewing time or water temperature

• Inaccurate coffee-to-water ratio

Once you determine which one of these issues is leading you to drink bitter coffee, you can start taking the steps towards better brewing techniques. 

Now that you know what could be causing your coffee to have a bitter or sour taste, it’s time to discuss a solution for each of the culprits. Have a look at these tips on how to make coffee taste good:

1. Clean your equipment

If you want to know how to make coffee less bitter, the first step is to ensure that your brewing equipment is clean. When you avoid cleaning your coffee machine, the residue from one brew will build up and affect the way your next coffee tastes. Not to mention, maintaining clean equipment is essential to prolong the life and functionality of your coffee maker.

2. Treat your beans with care

The quality of your beans significantly impacts the quality of your cup of coffee. If you want to know how to make coffee taste better, make sure that you’re storing your coffee beans and grounds right.

3. Ensure correct size of coffee grounds

Grinding your own coffee beans gives your coffee the best quality flavor. The downside is that it can also leave room for error. If you want to know how to make coffee less acidic tasting, make sure that you are not grinding your beans too finely. This can result in over-extraction of the coffee, which will give you a bitter cup of coffee.

4. Measure the accurate coffee-to-water ratio

An inaccurate coffee-to-water ratio can throw off any cup of coffee or espresso, thereby giving it a sour taste. The general rule of thumb, also known as the “Golden Ratio,” is to use one to two tablespoons of ground coffee for every six ounces of water.¹

Of course, this depends on personal taste preferences and the type of coffee drink you are making. But it is the general standard to follow when you are trying to learn how to make coffee taste better.  

5. Check the brewing time and water temperature

The water and brewing time are two very important factors when it comes to making good-tasting coffee. The water temperature should be between 195 and 205 degrees Fahrenheit when brewing coffee. Anything colder than that may produce under-extracted coffee that has a sour taste. 

In regards to the brewing time, this will vary depending on the method you use. If you want to know how to make coffee less acidic with a French press, for example, the brewing time is about two to four minutes – if you’re not going to drink it straight after brewing, just pour it into a carafe. Espresso, on the other hand, brews for only 20 to 30 seconds. And a regular coffee machine takes about five minutes. Avoid over-extracting or under-extracting by making sure you are brewing for the right amount of time.

Bitter coffee is no joking matter and can be the result of numerous factors. The good news is that once you identify the issue, you can learn how to make coffee less bitter in no time. Enjoy delicious coffee and espresso beverages with every cup by knowing how to make coffee taste better!