10 Mistakes Everyone Makes When Brewing Coffee at Home

May 18 , 2023

Levista India

Introduction to the Art of home brewing

You stumble into the kitchen early morning to make yourself a cup of coffee. You are looking for a potent brew that gives you the energy for the day. You take your coffee equipment, pour water, add coffee grounds, and press the button. Your coffee is ready! You take a sip and find it bitter, weak or just plain. How do you feel?

Brewing coffee at home is an art one can master with practice, patience and passion! It is not just about putting the beans and water and waiting for the best. It’s about understanding the science behind the perfect cup of hot, aromatic and flavorsome coffee. You should know the secrets and process of making an ideal brew.

10 Mistakes to Avoid When Brewing Coffee at Home

brewing-coffee-at-home

Mistakes when brewing coffee at home are usual, but how we tackle them is crucial! Fix your lousy coffee blues from bitter to better with Levista’s tips! Here’re ten mistakes you are making in your household that result in a bad-tasting coffee. We are sure we all can relate to the 1st mistake. Make sure you don’t commit it hereafter!

  • Mistake #10: Using the wrong coffee beans

Have you ever thought that your coffee beans could be the reason for the bitterness? Yes, it is possible. Using the wrong coffee beans can make your caffeine taste dull, flat, bitter and sour. Hence, it is crucial is selecting the appropriate beans for the perfect brew!

Never use stale or old beans because they do not give the desired flavour or aroma. For your coffee to taste fruity, use freshly roasted beans. So, next time you head out to purchase coffee beans, ensure to check the roast date.

Investing in fresh-grown, high-quality, hand-picked beans can give you a gratifying cup of coffee. You should also note that light-roasted beans are suitable for pour-over brewing, and dark-roasted beans are appropriate for espresso. 

  • Mistake #9: Neglecting water quality

Are you complaining that your coffee doesn’t taste as good as it would be? Did you note the quality of water you are using for brewing? Yes, water quality can impact the taste of coffee. It is because the beverage is composed of 98% of water!

Using tap water can influence the flavour of the coffee since it contains impurities, such as chlorine, minerals, and other contaminants. Also, one should consider the mineral level in the water. Over hard or soft water may make the coffee taste too weak or bitter. 

Always use bottled or filtered water to ensure the water quality is clean, has an ideal balance of mineral concentration and is devoid of any pollutants. 

  • Mistake #8: Incorrect water temperature

You want your morning coffee to be hot, but have you ever paused to check the water temperature you use to brew the perfect caffeine? Yes, readers, the incorrect water temperature can make your coffee taste terrible. Hot water can scorch the coffee and make it taste bitter. While cold water results in a flavourless cup. 

The recommended temperature is between 195*F and 205*F or 90*C and 96*C. Making coffee using the abovementioned water temperature promotes optimal extraction and the release of natural flavours and aromas from the coffee beans. All you have to do is, bring the water to a boil, let it sit for 30 seconds and pour the grounds for a perfect-tasting coffee!

  • Mistake #7: Using stale coffee beans

Is your coffee tasting dull and flat? It could be because of your coffee beans! Yes, stale or old beans can produce a flavourless cup of coffee. Before purchasing coffee beans, ensure it is freshly roasted and buy from a reputable source. Also, use it within two to three weeks of the roast date. 

But how do you store coffee beans? Like any other food product, coffee beans have a limited shelf life and tend to lose their freshness and flavour over time. You should always store the beans in an airtight container and avoid direct sunlight and moisture, keeping them in a dark place.

  • Mistake #6: Using improper coffee-to-water ratio

Is your coffee looking watering and weak? It could be because of an improper coffee-to-water ratio. Too much water and less coffee ratio can weaken your brew, and too much coffee and less water ratio can make your drink overpowering with caffeine. 

But there isn’t any ideal coffee-to-water ratio since it differs according to one’s taste preferences. All you have to do is to find your perfect balance by experimenting and adjusting the coffee brewing techniques. However, the recommended measurement is two teaspoons of coffee for six ounces of water. 

You can start with the suggested ratio and gradually increase or decrease the water and caffeine content to achieve your desired well-balanced cup of coffee.

  • Mistake #5: Over brewing the coffee

Over-brewing is another mistake that makes your coffee taste bitter and sour. It happens when coffee beans are steeped or brewed excessively in the French press, drip coffee maker or pour-over methods. It paves the way for water to extract too much flavour from the grounds that taste harsh.

All you have to do is, monitor the time for the specific brewing method. You can also experiment with different brewing times to get your ideal flavour and balance that works. Coffee is all bout the balance of optimum flavour and fragrance. So, avoid committing this blunder while making the perfect brew.

  • Mistake #4: Storing coffee improperly

Where are you storing your coffee beans? Is it in the fridge or freezer to retain the freshness? Stop doing it right away! You should store coffee beans in an airtight container at room temperature, away from direct sunlight and moisture. It helps keep the beans fresher and preserve their taste and smell for longer. 

Even high-quality beans lose their aroma and flavour if stored incorrectly, resulting in a bland and uninspired cup of coffee. 

  • Mistake #3: Not giving enough brewing time

Are you giving your coffee enough brewing time? You might be in a rush, but if you do not want your coffee to taste bitter, you must give it sufficient time to brew. After all, coffee is worth the wait! If you give your coffee the required time, you can fully extract the flavours and aromas.

You should understand that different brewing methods require varying brewing times! Failing to give enough time to brew results in a weak, bland, under-extracted cup of coffee. For instance, the French press requires 4 to 5 mins of brew time, pour-over needs 2 to 4 mins of brew time, and for Espresso, 20 to 30 seconds is ideal.

  • Mistake #2: Not maintaining ground consistency

Coffee grind consistency is crucial for your coffee to taste better. Inconsistent grind size leads to under-extraction or over-extraction, resulting in a weak or bitter-tasting coffee, which you wouldn’t want. 

If the grinds are too fine, it produces over-extracted and bitter-tasting coffee, and if they are too coarse, it tastes like a robust flavoured and gives an under-extracted cup of coffee. For Espresso, a fine grind is required. While for pour-over and drip coffee, medium grind size is preferred. For the French press, coarse grind size works wonders. 

Investing in high-quality beans is crucial since you can ensure that the coffee grinds are uniform and consistent. 

  • Mistake #1: Forgetting to clean your equipment

When did you clean your coffee maker the last time? The foremost mistake we all make and tend to ignore and forget is to keep your equipment clean and tidy! 

It is crucial because when you don’t clean it, the oil from coffee can build up, thus affecting the flavour of the brew and potentially causing it to get stale. It can also cause the bacteria to grow if kept uncleaned for a long time, making your coffee taste unpleasantly.

The coffee experts of Levista insist on rinsing your coffee maker after every use and deep cleansing it every month to maintain hygiene and allow it to function well.

Choose Levista, your instant coffee companion!

If you look forward to having authentic coffee, you need not go to Coorg. It is because Levista brings the taste, heritage and legacy of the coffee capital of India to your doorstep and into your coffee mug as a daily dose of magic potion!

The high-quality and hand-picked coffee beans sourced from the traditional estates of Coorg coffee give you a surreal experience, making your coffee affair memorable. Levista offers various coffee blends, including classic and exotic combinations like hazelnut, caramel and vanilla. Its instant coffee, coffee beans and filter coffee powders are must-try if you are a coffee lover.

Now you can make your favourite blend at home with Levista instant coffee powders that give you a cup of coffee that is rich and flavoursome. It retains the aroma of freshly brewed coffee in your every sip and is committed to quality and customer satisfaction.

Conclusion

Coffee-making can be fun and satisfying. It unleashes your creativity and makes you experiment with different brewing methods and techniques. It is a rewarding experience since it acts as a ritual for many people to bring comfort and familiarity to their routines.

However, we tend to commit a few mistakes when brewing coffee at home. But you can brew a tasty and aromatic coffee by paying attention to factors such as water temperature, the grind size, the brewing methods, and the quality of coffee beans. Now, are you ready to make your morning cuppa the right way?

FAQs

Where should you store your coffee beans?

You can store coffee beans in an airtight container at room temperature in a dark place, keeping them away from direct sunlight, heat and moisture. When exposed to these factors, the beans lose their flavour and aroma. Also, storing it in the fridge or freezer is a complete no.

What happens when you brew coffee at an incorrect water temperature?

Brewing coffee at an incorrect water temperature can impact its taste and quality. If the water temperature is low, coffee may be under-extracted, tasting weak, sour, and acidic. If the water temperature is too high, coffee may be over-extracted, tasting bitter, harsh and unpleasant.

How to make your home coffee taste better?

You can brew a better-tasting coffee at home by incorporating a few techniques: using high-quality, freshly roasted beans, grinding your coffee before brewing, using the correct grind size, using the appropriate amount of coffee and water, cleaning your coffee brewing equipment regularly, etc.

What is the right grind size for brewing coffee at home?

The right grind size for brewing coffee depends on the brewing methods. Coarse grinds are typical for French press or cold brew, the medium is suitable for pour-over methods, the fine is helpful for espresso machines and moka pots, and extra-fine is apt for Turkish coffee.

Is it okay to reuse coffee beans?

Reusing coffee beans can result in bitter-tasting, weak and sour coffee. You will get its flavour and aroma when you use coffee beans for the first time. While resuing results in a flavourless or less flavour cup of coffee.

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