My Coffee Is Too Sour (or Bitter)! What Should I Do?
There’s nothing quite like that first sip of coffee in the morning. But if your brew is too bitter, too sour, or just not quite right, it can throw off your whole experience. Fortunately, a few simple adjustments can help you master the art of brewing the perfect cup.
Here at Smoking Gun Coffee we are constantly quality checking all of the coffee we roast. Plus, we serve our beans in our Chilliwack coffee shop which gives us a chance to make sure everything is brewing perfectly. Even when everything goes right, we still get people asking why their coffee sometimes doesn't quite taste the way they want it to. That's ok! Coffee is incredibly dynamic and there a lot of variables when you brew so things can happen.
We thought we'd share our best practices when it comes to brewing the perfect cup of coffee. Here’s what you need to know.
1. Start with Fresh, High-Quality Beans
Great coffee starts with great beans. Freshly roasted coffee is best enjoyed about a week or two after roasting, giving the beans time to degas while still preserving their peak flavours. After this period, coffee gradually loses its freshness, so it’s best to buy in small batches and store them properly. Make sure the beans you buy are in sealed valved bags - like ours. This helps the beans off-gas and we've tested beans for freshness up to 3 months in sealed, valved bags before we noticed any loss in flavour.
2. Store Your Beans Properly
To keep your coffee fresh for as long as possible, store your beans in an airtight container in a cool, dark place. Avoid storing them in the fridge, as fluctuating temperatures can cause moisture to build up and affect the flavour. The beans can also absord flavours from items in the fridge. The freezer is ok. But, makes sure you bring the beans up to room temperature before you grind them. And you don't want ot take them in and out of the freezer. Freeze once, then take out only the amount you need to grind.
The best option is a vacuum-sealed container or a resealable bag with a one-way valve to protect against oxidation.
3. Get the Grind Size Right
The grind size of your coffee plays a huge role in how your cup turns out. If your coffee tastes too bitter, it’s likely over-extracted, meaning your grind is too fine. Try using a coarser grind. If your coffee is too sour or weak, it’s under-extracted, meaning your grind is too coarse, and you should make it finer. The right grind size depends on your brewing method:
- Espresso – Fine grind
- Pour-over – Medium-fine grind
- Drip coffee maker – Medium grind
- French press – Coarse grind
A burr grinder is the best tool for achieving consistent grind size, which leads to better extraction and a more balanced cup. Even with a burr grinder, you need to make sure the burrs are cleaned regularly and over time they will dull. Dull burrs leads to heat and friction which degrades the coffee and it will also make it hard to get the perfect grind consistency.
4. Use the Right Water Temperature
Water that’s too hot can burn your coffee, while water that’s too cool won’t extract enough flavour. The ideal brewing temperature is between 195°F and 205°F (90°C - 96°C). If you don’t have a thermometer, bringing water to a boil and letting it sit for 30 seconds before brewing is a good rule of thumb.
5. Measure Your Coffee and Water Ratio
A balanced cup of coffee requires the right ratio of coffee to water. A general guideline is 1 to 2 tablespoons of coffee per 6 ounces of water, but many coffee enthusiasts prefer using a coffee scale to measure by weight, with a standard ratio of 1:16 (1 gram of coffee per 16 grams of water). Adjusting this ratio can help fine-tune the strength of your coffee to your liking. We highly recommend using a scale. It's the best way to ensure consistency.
6. Master Your Brewing Method
Different brewing methods require slightly different techniques:
- Pour-over: Pour water in slow, circular motions to evenly saturate the coffee grounds.
- French press: Stir gently after adding water and plunge after 4 minutes for a rich, full-bodied brew.
- Espresso: Use a consistent, fine grind and tamp the grounds evenly for optimal extraction.
You can check out our Brew Guide for some step-by-step instructions.
7. Enjoy and Experiment
The perfect cup of coffee is a personal preference. Try experimenting with grind size, water temperature, and brew time to find what works best for you. Keeping a coffee journal can help you track what you like and refine your brewing skills over time.
By following these simple tips, you’ll be well on your way to brewing a perfect cup every time. And if you’re looking for fresh, expertly roasted coffee, take a look at the local coffee roasters in your community. It's a great time to be supporting Canadian coffee roasters! If you order beans from us, you can know that we only ship out beans that were roasted the same week they were ordered so your coffee will arrive fresh and perfectly aged to start brewing!
If you have any specific questions or inquiries about preparing coffee at home, please get in touch!
Happy brewing! We hope you enjoy every sip!