For coffee lovers, nothing beats the satisfaction of a perfectly brewed cup of coffee in the comfort of home. However, many people unknowingly make mistakes that can lead to a subpar cup—wasting good beans and missing out on the rich flavours that coffee has to offer. Whether you’re using a French press, a pour-over, or an espresso machine, avoiding these common pitfalls can dramatically improve your daily brew.
1. Using Stale or Low-Quality Beans
One of the biggest mistakes home brewers make is using old or poor-quality beans. Coffee is best when fresh, ideally used within two to four weeks of roasting. Many supermarket beans have been sitting on shelves for months, losing their flavour and aroma.
How to fix it: Purchase fresh, high-quality beans from a local roaster or a reputable online supplier. Look for a roast date on the packaging rather than just an expiration date.
2. Storing Coffee Improperly
Even if you buy great beans, improper storage can lead to staleness. Exposure to air, light, moisture, and heat can degrade the quality of coffee quickly.
How to fix it: Store beans in an airtight container in a cool, dark place. Avoid the fridge or freezer, as they introduce moisture, which can ruin the beans.
3. Using the Wrong Grind Size
Grind size plays a crucial role in the brewing process. Too coarse, and your coffee may taste weak and under-extracted. Too fine, and it could turn out bitter and over-extracted.
How to fix it: Match your grind size to your brewing method:
- Coarse grind for French press
- Medium grind for drip coffee makers
- Fine grind for espresso
- Medium-fine for pour-over
Investing in a burr grinder ensures a consistent grind size, which greatly improves extraction.
Read more about coffee grind size here
4. Not Measuring Coffee Properly
Eyeballing your coffee grounds or using a generic scoop can lead to inconsistent results. Too little coffee results in a weak brew, while too much makes it overpowering and bitter.
How to fix it: Use a digital scale to measure your coffee precisely. A common starting ratio is 1:16—one gram of coffee for every 16 grams of water. Adjust based on personal preference.
5. Using Poor Quality Water
Water makes up about 98% of a cup of coffee, yet many people use tap water that contains impurities, chlorine, or excess minerals that negatively impact flavour.
How to fix it: Use filtered or bottled water for a cleaner, more balanced taste. Avoid distilled water, as it lacks the necessary minerals that contribute to proper extraction.
Sage Home Barista machines or bean to cup machines are fit with a filter that will significantly improve the water quality.
6. Brewing at the Wrong Temperature
Water that is too hot or too cold can drastically affect the flavour of your coffee. Boiling water (212°F/100°C) can scorch the grounds, while lukewarm water under-extracts, leading to a sour taste.
How to fix it: The ideal brewing temperature is between 195°F to 205°F (90°C to 96°C). If you don’t have a thermometer, let boiled water sit for 30 seconds before pouring.
7. Rushing the Brewing Process
Many people rush their brew, especially with methods like French press or pour-over. Proper extraction takes time, and cutting corners leads to an unbalanced cup.
How to fix it: Follow the recommended brew times for your method:
- Espresso: 25-30 seconds
- French press: 4 minutes
- Pour-over: 3-4 minutes
- Drip coffee: 5-6 minutes
Patience is key to achieving the perfect balance of flavours.
8. Not Blooming Coffee (for Pour-Over and Drip Methods)
When using freshly roasted coffee, skipping the bloom phase can trap unwanted gases in the coffee bed, leading to uneven extraction and off-flavours.
How to fix it: Pour a small amount of hot water over the coffee grounds and let them sit for 30-45 seconds before continuing to brew. This allows carbon dioxide to escape, leading to better flavour extraction.
9. Using a Dirty Coffee Maker or Equipment
Old coffee residue can build up in machines, filters, and grinders, leading to stale, rancid flavours in your brew.
How to fix it: Clean your coffee equipment regularly. Descale machines with a vinegar solution or a commercial descaler, and wash grinders and French presses after every use.
10. Ignoring the Coffee-to-Water Ratio
Many home brewers add too much or too little water, leading to an imbalanced cup. This mistake is common when using a drip machine or a French press.
How to fix it: Stick to the golden coffee-to-water ratio of 1:16 and adjust to taste. Too much water results in a weak brew, while too little leads to an overly strong cup.
11. Reheating Coffee
Reheating coffee in the microwave or on the stove alters its chemical composition, making it taste burnt and bitter.
How to fix it: Brew only what you plan to drink immediately. If you need to keep coffee warm, use an insulated thermos instead of a hot plate.
12. Over-Reliance on Pre-Ground Coffee
Pre-ground coffee may be convenient, but it starts losing its freshness within minutes of grinding. Over time, it becomes stale and lacks the depth of flavour found in freshly ground beans.
How to fix it: Grind your coffee just before brewing. A burr grinder ensures an even grind and maximizes flavour extraction.
13. Tamping Too Hard (for Espresso)
When making espresso, tamping the coffee too forcefully can lead to over-extraction, causing bitterness. Tamping too lightly results in weak espresso with little crema.
How to fix it: Apply consistent, medium pressure when tamping. Aim for about 30 pounds of pressure, and ensure the grounds are level in the portafilter.
14. Not Experimenting with Different Beans and Methods
Sticking to the same coffee without exploring different roasts, origins, and brewing methods limits your experience.
How to fix it: Try single-origin beans, different roasts, and various brewing techniques to discover new flavours and refine your palate.
15. Not Enjoying the Process
Brewing coffee should be an enjoyable experience, not a rushed chore. Taking the time to savour the process can make the final cup taste even better.
How to fix it: Slow down and appreciate the craft of making coffee. Smell the beans, enjoy the brewing ritual, and savour each sip.
Conclusion
Making great coffee at home is an art that requires attention to detail, experimentation, and a little patience. By avoiding these common mistakes and fine-tuning your technique, you can elevate your coffee game and enjoy café-quality coffee from the comfort of your own kitchen. Cheers to better brewing!
We’re very proud to bring you this feature in association with Adams + Russell Coffee Roasters. For more features, please pay a visit to our lifestyle page.
