While few people seem to make great coffee with little effort. Yet, some of us make it horrible each time. Whether you buy better coffee, try a variety of brewing methods and still things can go wrong. So, what are you doing wrong? Let’s find out.

While “taste” in terms of coffee is highly subjective. You can try adjusting some variables to make better coffee at home.

So, are you ready to make your taste better than ever? In this article we’re going to break down some of those common mistakes you might be making while brewing at home. And we’re going to give you as many tips as we can to get you a better cup each time.

9 COMMON COFFEE BREWING MISTAKES TO AVOID

1.Not using freshly ground  coffee beans

2. Using boiling hot water

3.Using water that Isn’t hot enough

4.Eyeballing the measurements

5.Using coffee that is no longer fresh

6. Your coffee to water ratio is off

7. Choosing the wrong grind type

8. Using bad water

9. Not cleaning your coffee machine

1.Not Using Freshly Ground Coffee Bean:

So, the first one I’m going to talk about is make sure you use freshly ground coffee beans. And I know, some  of you can’t get over the convenience of pre-ground coffee. However, I’m just telling you, if you freshly grind your beans you’re going to get such a huge increase in the quality of your coffee. This is because all of them release oils and chemicals that happen right when you grind your beans. It’s going to result in much better coffee when you brew it. But with pre-ground coffee, it has already lost some of its aroma and flavor. So, what you can do to improve the quality of your brew, without doing too much work is just grind it fresh before brewing.

2.Using Boiling Hot Water Over The Grounds:

While making coffee at home, some of you just boil the water and dump it on the coffee. As a result, you get a scorching, burnt coffee. The ideal temperature for brewing ranges from 195-205 degrees Fahrenheit. This is hot enough to extract all of the good stuff from the coffee beans without burning them. For a lot of people, it might be the sweet spot. If your water is over 205°F chances are you will get an over extracted, bitter coffee while under 195°F will produce an under- extracted, sour brew.

3.Using Water That Isn’t Hot Enough:

Some coffee machines can’t heat the water properly when you first turn them on. So, the water doesn’t get hot enough until your second or third brew. To improve your water temperature, try running plain water through the coffee machine first. This will allow it to heat up properly before you brew your actual coffee. It will also give it a quick flush as well as pushing out any old coffee grounds left in the brewer.

4. Not Following The Measurements:

Don’t forget to measure your coffee throughout the process of brewing. I know, for some of you, it’s tempting to just eyeball it. Maybe, you’ve made so many French Press in your lives that you can just get it right. But make sure you measure the amount of coffee going into your brew. And I can ensure you can get better results each time. You should also invest in a set of scales because It’s so much easier to track the time and the weight of your brew. When things go wrong, you should start recording how much coffee you’re putting in as well as adjusting other variables to make a better cup each time.

5. Using Coffee That Is No longer Fresh:

Like all other food items, coffee beans expire as well. Old and stale coffee beans lose most of their flavor, aroma and taste.  Ideally, you should start with fresh coffee beans. By fresh, I mean coffee roasted within 1-2 weeks. If you don’t have a grinder then freshness is even more important. You should buy coffee beans directly from local roasters and have them grind for you to get a refreshing brew.

6. Your Coffee To Water Ratio Is Off:

The golden ratio of coffee to water can dramatically affect the taste of your brew. A standard guideline for brewing coffee is using 1:16 coffee to water ratio- which means using one part coffee to 16 parts water. If you use too much coffee, you can get a weak, under-extracted brew. On the other hand, too much coffee can make your brew bitter and strong. So, it’s best to stick with the ratio and then make alterations to taste from there.

7. Not Grinding Your Coffee Beans Properly:

Let’s talk about grind size, what it is and how they affect the taste each time. So, grind size is how coarse or fine we grind our coffee. Now, what can go wrong with grind size? You’re just going to have a ton of frustration with an under- extracted brew if you mess it up. So, play around with your grind size and brew time as well to get a consistent brew. Now you can learn more about grind size and understand different types of grind feel free to do so.

8. Not Using Filtered-water:

Now, Let’s talk about one variable that can drastically change the taste of your coffee. Water can make or break your coffee. Water contains all kinds of crazy stuff, for example, minerals, chemical which might affect the taste of your brew. While modern water treatments do make water safe for us to drink, especially out of the tap, it doesn’t do a great job making your coffee taste better. Also, there are other things in water that aren’t best for extracting the best flavor out of your coffee bean. If your coffee doesn’t taste as it should, you should consider using good quality filtered water because the chemical and minerals in tao water aren’t really best for extracting flavors from coffee beans.

9. Not Cleaning Your Coffee Machine Properly:

Coffee ground releases oils which need to be cleaned before each use. Also, the ground needs to be cleaned after each use to avoid rancid coffee. While minerals and other deposits can build up in your machine, old grounds left in your coffee maker will quickly ruin the taste of your coffee. While you don’t necessarily need to clean it after every single brew, you should consider cleaning your coffee machine on a regular basis. Regular cleaning will get rid of any old coffee grounds that can negatively impact the taste of your coffee.

Final Words: The biggest mistake in my opinion is not experimenting enough. Every coffee enthusiast’s palate is unique. So, what’s blissful to one may be mediocre to another. Experiment with different beans, grinds, ratios and brewing methods.

Ultimately, the joy of coffee comes from trial and error and exploration. And on those mornings, when you discover you’ve brewed the perfect cup, you should savor that moment of joy. And then you can strive to make a better cup tomorrow. So, take your time, enjoy the process and savor the results.