If your espresso tastes too bitter, you’ve come to the right place. In this article, we’ll show you how to reduce the bitterness in your favorite drink. We cover everything from possible causes to practical tips for improving your espresso experience.
The Causes When Espresso Is Too Bitter
A perfectly prepared espresso is a true delight for the senses, but sometimes the taste can be too bitter, spoiling the experience. Don’t worry, we’ll show you how to enjoy your espresso optimally without being overwhelmed by bitterness.
1. Choosing the Right Coffee Beans
Let’s start with the heart of your espresso—the coffee beans. To ensure your espresso doesn’t become too bitter, it’s crucial to choose high-quality beans. Look for beans with a balanced flavor profile and avoid those that tend to have excessive bitterness. Arabica beans are often a good choice, as they generally have a milder taste than Robusta beans.
2. A Roast That’s Too Dark
The roast of the coffee beans plays a critical role in the taste of your espresso. A roast that’s too dark can cause the espresso to become overly bitter. Many coffees are (unfortunately) very darkly roasted. This results in the loss of more and more of the coffee bean’s natural flavors, and the coffee soon tastes only burnt and bitter. You can easily tell if this is the case with your espresso beans by their color.
3. A Grind That’s Too Fine
The grind of the coffee beans is another important factor that affects the taste of your espresso. A finer grind leads to a stronger flavor but can also cause the espresso to become too bitter, especially if it’s over-extracted.
4. Over-Extraction Makes Espresso Too Bitter
The extraction time, or the time it takes for water to pass through the coffee grounds, also affects the taste of your espresso. A too-long extraction time can make the espresso too bitter, while a too-short extraction time may result in a sour and watery espresso.
5. Water Temperature Too High
The water temperature is another key factor that influences the taste of your espresso. Water that’s too hot can cause the espresso to become too bitter, while water that’s too cold may not extract enough flavor. Ensure that your portafilter machine reaches the correct water temperature and maintains it consistently during the brewing process.
6. Too Much Coffee Grounds
The amount of coffee grounds you use has a direct impact on the taste of your espresso. Using too much can make the espresso too strong and bitter. This is often linked to over-extraction, as the water flows too slowly through a large amount of coffee grounds.
7. Dirty Espresso Machine
Last but not least, regular cleaning and maintenance of your espresso machine is essential to ensure it functions optimally and allows the espresso to develop its full flavor. Use high-quality cleaning products and follow the manufacturer’s instructions to remove impurities and keep your machine in top condition. Only a clean, well-functioning machine can produce delicious espresso.
How to Reduce Bitterness in Espresso
There’s nothing more frustrating than brewing an espresso only to find it tastes too bitter. Fortunately, there are some tried-and-true methods to reduce bitterness and make your espresso enjoyable again. Here are some tips to help you:
- Use Less Coffee Grounds: If your espresso is too bitter, it may indicate that you’re using too much coffee grounds. Try reducing the amount of coffee grounds and observe how the taste changes. A smaller amount can help reduce bitterness and achieve a more balanced flavor.
- Experiment with Different Extraction Times: The extraction time, or the time it takes for water to pass through the coffee grounds, significantly affects the taste of your espresso. A shorter extraction time can help reduce bitterness by extracting fewer bitter compounds. Experiment with different extraction times to find the one that best suits your taste.
- Use Cooler Water: Water that’s too hot can cause the coffee to be over-extracted, resulting in a bitter taste. Try slightly lowering the water temperature and observe how it affects the taste of your espresso. A slightly cooler water temperature can help reduce bitterness and produce a more pleasant flavor.
- Try Different Coffee Bean Varieties: Choosing the right coffee beans and roast level is crucial for the taste of your espresso. If your espresso is too bitter, it may be because you’re using beans that are too darkly roasted.
Tips for Choosing Coffee Beans If Espresso Is Too Bitter
Choosing the right coffee beans to suit your taste is, of course, particularly important. If you find that your espresso is too bitter, you may be using the wrong beans. Here are some tips to help you select the right coffee beans for a less bitter espresso:
- Choose Arabica Beans: Arabica beans tend to have a milder flavor than Robusta beans and can therefore help reduce the bitterness in your espresso. If your espresso is too bitter, try Arabica beans and observe how the taste changes.
- Avoid Over-Roasted Beans: Over-roasting can cause the beans to become excessively bitter and affect the taste of your espresso. Make sure to choose coffee beans that are not too darkly roasted to avoid excessive bitterness.
- Experiment with Different Varieties: Each coffee variety and variety has its own flavor nuances and characteristics. If your espresso is too bitter, try different varieties to find the one that best suits your taste. You might be surprised at how much the choice of coffee beans can affect the taste of your espresso.
The Role of Grind Setting in Espresso
The grind setting is a critical factor in the quality of your espresso. If your espresso is too bitter, it may be due to a suboptimal grind setting. Here’s why the right grind setting is important and how you can adjust it to achieve a less bitter espresso:
Espresso Too Bitter Due to Grind Setting
The grind setting significantly affects how quickly water flows through the coffee grounds and how much flavor is extracted. A too-fine grind can cause the water to flow too slowly, extracting too many bitter compounds, resulting in a bitter espresso. On the other hand, a too-coarse grind can cause the water to flow too quickly, extracting insufficient flavor, leading to a weak taste.
Experiment with Different Grind Settings
If your espresso is too bitter, experiment with different grind settings to find the ideal one for your taste. Start with a medium grind setting and adjust it accordingly until you achieve the perfect espresso. Make small changes and taste the result each time to understand the impact of the grind setting.
Also, keep in mind that after adjusting the grind setting, some remnants of the previous setting may still come out of the grinder. You won’t immediately get a grind with the new setting. I admit, when fine-tuning the perfect grind setting, I’ve sometimes used up to 250g of coffee beans. But the enjoyment of the perfect espresso was definitely worth the effort.
