5 Reasons Why Your Coffee Tastes Burnt

People love coffee because of its flavor, the pick-me-up it gives them in the morning and in between periods when they need a boost. However many people don’t enjoy a good cup of coffee because they think that it tastes burnt. They desire a delicious, not burnt flavored cup of joe. But sometimes the taste of your morning coffee takes more than just an appeal for your palate. If you begin to notice that your coffee tastes burnt rather than fresh and flavorful, there are some reasons why this might be happening. Here are five common culprits.

1. Your Coffee Is Too Old

Coffee absolutely needs to be consumed within one week of roasting or it can begin to take on a burnt flavor. Coffee beans start off green and still contain the coffee oils that give you that fresh and rich fragrance. The moment they’re roasted, those oils begin to evaporate and it’s important to use them up within a week.

2. Your Coffee Is Too Oily

Coffee beans are oilier than most foods, but this shouldn’t be confused with freshness. If you notice that your brewed coffee tastes burnt it could mean that the beans were over-roasted or they’re becoming rancid because they’ve been sitting on the shelf for too long.

3. Your Coffee Beans Are Too Finely Ground

When you grind your beans, do so in a course setting rather than a fine one. Finely ground coffee dissolves too quickly and it can lead to an overly bitter and burnt taste that also affects the aroma of your coffee.

4. You’re Brewing Your Coffee at the Wrong Temperature

If you’re taking a sip of coffee that tastes burnt then it might be because your water is too hot. Another way to find out if it’s the water temperature is by measuring how much time passes between when you first put the ground beans in and when the finished product comes out. If it takes less than 5 minutes then you might want to turn the heat down. If it takes more than 8 then you should turn it up.

This also means that espresso machines should be set at the highest temperature and filter drip machines at medium heat. French press coffee makers can handle low heat, as can manual pour-over coffee drippers.

5. You’re Brewing Your Coffee with Tap Water

If you notice that your coffee tastes burnt, this might be because of the type of water you’re using. Tap waters are high in minerals and metals so it’s important to use clean drinking or filtered water when making your morning cup.

This won’t work well for people who make their own machines at home, of course. If your coffee tastes burnt when you’re brewing it in a paper filter cone then consider buying a water filter for home.

Fixes:

However, there are some solutions to these problems:

Temperature Settings

If you find that your coffee tastes burnt, it might be because of the way you’re brewing it. Different types of coffee brewers need different temperature settings so check how hot your water is before trying to tune in other factors. If you’ve been using the same machine for over 6 months then this could also be why your coffee tastes burnt, so consider buying a new one.

Grind Your Coffee Beans at Coarser Settings

If you’re grinding your beans too finely, try to grind them at coarser settings instead. This shouldn’t be done with an automatic grinder because it’s difficult to control the consistency of the ground beans. Instead, consider investing in a manual grinder that allows you more control over how fine or coarse your ground coffee will be.

Use a Thermometer

If the temperature of your water is too hot, consider using a thermometer and making sure that it’s between 194 and 205 degrees Fahrenheit before pouring it over the ground beans.

Use Filtered Water

You might want to try using clean drinking or filtered water if you find that your coffee tastes burnt when you’re brewing with tap water. If using filtered water isn’t an option then make sure to use it at the right temperature – not too hot and not too cold.

Use Roasted Coffee Beans Within One Week

If your coffee tastes burnt, your coffee is too old, consider buying new beans for a better taste or simply drink it within one week of roasting.

Buy a New Grinder

If your beans are too oily, then you might need to invest into a grinder that can handle oily coffee. There are many grinders in the market that people advertise as being able to help with this problem. Not only do these grinders grind the beans finely enough for espresso, but they also work well for other types of coffees. If you’re looking for a cheaper option then you might try one of these grinders that are still capable of grinding beans finely enough to brew espresso but at a lower price point.

Change Your Water Filter

If your coffee tastes burnt, you may be using the coffee maker for longer than 6 months, consider buying a new one for better-tasting coffee or simply invest in some cheap paper cone filters. This won’t work well for people who make their own machines at home, of course. If your coffee tastes burnt when you’re brewing it in a paper filter cone then consider buying a water filter for home. There are many types of coffee filters that are available in the market today. Take time to choose one that fits your lifestyle. Moreover, there are now disposable filters that you can use which can be thrown away after use. These look like paper towels and usually come with a plastic holder as well as ties for convenience.

Conclusion:

These are 5 reasons why your coffee tastes burnt and some of the fixes you can try to fix it. If you’re taking a sip of coffee that tastes burnt then it might be because your water is too hot. Another way to find out if it’s the water temperature is by measuring how much time passes between when you first put the ground beans in and when the finished product comes out. If it takes less than 5 minutes then you might want to turn the heat down. If it takes more than 8 then you should turn it up.