Why do some coffee grounds cause pour-over coffee to taste bitter?

Hey there! It's Sophia from Real Coffee Club, and I'm here to spill the beans on why some coffee grounds can make your pour-over coffee taste bitter. Bitterness is a common issue that can really put a damper on your coffee experience, but fear not! I'm here to help you understand the root causes and provide some tips to fix it.

One of the main culprits behind bitter coffee is over-extraction. When water comes into contact with coffee grounds for too long, it extracts more of the bitter compounds, resulting in a less-than-pleasant taste. This can happen if you're using too fine of a grind size or if you're brewing for too long. So, let's break it down and find some solutions!

First off, let's talk grind size. When it comes to pour-over coffee, a medium to medium-fine grind is generally recommended. If your coffee tastes bitter, it could be because your grind is too fine. Fine grounds increase the surface area, making it easier for water to extract more of those bitter compounds. Try adjusting your grinder to a slightly coarser setting and see if that makes a difference.

Next up, brewing time. If you're finding that your coffee tastes bitter, it might be because you're letting it steep for too long. The ideal brew time for pour-over coffee is typically around 3-4 minutes. If you're going beyond that, you might be over-extracting those bitter flavors. So, keep an eye on your brew time and make sure you're not letting it go on for too long.

Another factor to consider is the coffee-to-water ratio. Getting the right balance is key to a great-tasting cup of coffee. If you're using too much coffee relative to the amount of water, it can lead to bitterness. On the flip side, using too little coffee can result in a weak and under-extracted brew. As a general guideline, a ratio of 1:16 (1 part coffee to 16 parts water) is a good starting point. Feel free to adjust it to your taste preferences.

Now, let's talk about the brewing method itself. If you're using a Chemex or other pour-over coffee maker, the thickness of the filter can play a role in the taste of your brew. Thicker filters tend to trap more oils and fine particles, which can contribute to bitterness. If you find your coffee consistently tastes bitter with your current method, you could try switching to a different type of filter or experimenting with different brands to find one that suits your taste better.

Lastly, the quality and freshness of your coffee beans can also impact the taste. Coffee that has been sitting around for a while or has been improperly stored can lose its flavor and become bitter. To ensure the best taste, try to use freshly roasted beans and store them in an airtight container away from light, heat, and moisture.

So, to sum it all up, the bitterness in your pour-over coffee can be caused by factors such as over-extraction, too fine of a grind, brewing for too long, incorrect coffee-to-water ratio, the thickness of the filter, and the quality of the beans. By adjusting these variables, you can fine-tune your brewing process and say goodbye to bitter coffee.

I hope these tips help you achieve a delicious, balanced cup of pour-over coffee without the bitterness. Remember, brewing coffee is an art, and it's all about finding what works best for you. Happy brewing, and cheers to a great cup of joe!