Brewing coffee is an art, but it’s easy to make mistakes that can leave your cup tasting less than perfect. Whether you’re a home brewer or an aspiring barista, avoiding these common pitfalls will elevate your coffee game and bring out the best in every bean.
1. Using the Wrong Coffee-to-Water Ratio
The Mistake: Using too much coffee can result in an overpowering, bitter flavour, while too little leaves your brew weak and watery. The balance of coffee and water is critical to achieving the desired strength and flavour.
The Fix: The ideal ratio is 1:16—one gram of coffee to 16 grams (or millilitres) of water. For home brewing, this translates to 1-2 tablespoons of coffee per 6 ounces of water. Adjust the ratio slightly based on your personal taste preferences, but use this as a reliable starting point.
Professional Tip: A digital coffee scale is an invaluable tool for precise brewing.
2. Grinding Coffee Improperly
The Mistake: Using the wrong grind size for your brewing method can lead to uneven extraction. A grind that’s too coarse may under-extract the coffee, resulting in a sour taste, while an overly fine grind can lead to over-extraction and bitterness.
The Fix: Match your grind size to your brewing method:
- Coarse Grind: Ideal for Cafetiere or cold brew.
- Medium Grind: Perfect for drip coffee makers or pour-overs.
- Fine Grind: Necessary for espresso machines or Moka pots.
Pro Tip: Use a burr grinder for uniform grind size, which ensures even extraction and a better-tasting cup.
3. Brewing with Incorrect Water Temperature
The Mistake: Brewing coffee with water that’s too hot burns the grounds, while water that’s too cool leads to a flat, underwhelming flavour.
The Fix: Aim for a water temperature between 90°C to 96°C. If you don’t have a thermometer, bring your water to a boil and let it sit for about 30 seconds before brewing.
Pro Tip: Invest in a temperature-controlled kettle to maintain the precise brewing temperature every time. Pair it with high-quality, filtered water to enhance flavour clarity and avoid introducing unwanted off-notes into your coffee.
4. Using Stale Coffee Beans
The Mistake: Old, stale coffee beans lose their oils and aromas, resulting in a dull and lifeless brew.
The Fix: Always use freshly roasted beans. Look for coffee with a roast date instead of an expiration date and consume it within 2-3 weeks of roasting. Store your beans in an airtight container, away from light, heat, and moisture.
Pro Tip: Avoid pre-ground coffee if possible. Grinding just before brewing ensures maximum freshness and flavour.
5. Neglecting to Clean Your Equipment
The Mistake: Coffee oils and residues build up over time, leading to bitter or off-flavours in your brew.
The Fix: Clean your equipment regularly, including grinders, filters, and carafes. Use a specialised coffee cleaner or a simple mix of vinegar and water to remove built-up oils.
Pro Tip: For espresso machines, run a cleaning cycle weekly to keep your shots tasting clean and consistent.
Bonus Tip: Experiment and Taste
No two cups of coffee are the same. Small tweaks to your grind size, water ratio, or brewing time can make a big difference. Keep experimenting until you find the balance that works for your taste preferences.
