What to do when the coffee doesn’t taste good?

Coffee is a passion and an art appreciated by many baristas around the world. However, despite careful preparation, coffee may not taste as good as it should. Although there are many factors that can contribute to a coffee not tasting good, it is important to identify the main causes to ensure that every coffee is a pleasure to drink. We highlight the different reasons why coffee sometimes doesn’t taste good and what baristas can do to ensure every coffee is perfect.

The coffee is too bitter?

If the coffee is too bitter, this can be due to the following reasons: Too much ground coffee, brewing temperature too high, beans ground too finely, extraction time too long, pump pressure too high, worn grinding discs, water too hard, too much Robusta in the blend, coffee was clamped too long in portafilter & brew group before extraction.

The coffee is sour?

If the coffee is sour, this can be caused by the following: Water too soft, beans ground too coarsely, too little pump pressure, roast too light, portafilter too large (runs through too quickly), brewing temperature too low, extraction time too short, coffee in the bean container too long (oxidises), dosing too high.

The coffee has too little crema?

If the coffee has too little crema, this may be due to the following reasons: Beans ground too coarsely, coffee too old, cup or machine contaminated, water too soft, brewing temperature too low, worn grinding discs, pre-ground coffee, coffee dosage is too low.

The crema is too light?

If the crema is too light, this may be due to the following causes: Beans too old or too coarsely ground, brewing temperature too low, beans u stored hot, cup too cold, roast too light, coffee dosage or pump pressure too low.

The crema is too dark?

If the crema is too dark, this can be caused by the following: Beans ground too finely or roasted too strongly, brewing temperature too high.

The coffees have a different cup capacity?

If the cups are filled differently, this may be due to the following reasons: Ground coffee not distributed correctly, portafilter spouts deformed, tamped crookedly, coffee machine not in balance, cups of different sizes despite same manufacturer.

Does the coffee have a foreign taste?

If the coffee has a foreign taste, this can be caused by the following: Beans overlaid, poor bean quality, chlorinated water, wrong type of coffee (note delivery and storage), stinky bean, coffee too old (oxidised).

The coffee has too little aroma?

If the coffee has too little aroma, this can be caused by the following: Too little ground coffee, sieve holes too big (runs through too quickly), too much water, coffee too old, beans ground too coarsely, brewing pressure too low, wrong storage, roasting too light, water too hard.

The crema has no stability?

If the crema does not stay on the surface, this may be due to the following reasons: Cup too cold or too hot, water pressure too low, detergent or rinse aid residue in the cup.

There is an uneven amount in the portafilter?

If there is an uneven amount in the portafilter, this may be due to the following causes: Worn grinding discs, flapper on the grinder broken, coffee not mixed properly.