Why can't I make good coffee?!
Why can't I make good coffee?
I've tried fancy brands of imported beans, different coffee pots, bottled water... It's always disgusting. My boss at work makes coffee and when you walk in the room it smells like heaven. And when you buy it from a stand, I've had bad to excellent. Restaurant coffee stinks too. Why is this? I HAVE to know!
Answers:
Things to take in consideration-
Grind
Proportion
Freshness
Water
Grind- You need to have the correct grind for your coffee pot.
I will list them from fine to coarse
turkish, pump- espresso, steam-espresso, paper cone,gold/metal cone, flat-bottom basket, percolator, french press. Most reputable coffee shops can help you with that.
Proportion
2 tablespoons of coffee to every 6 ounces of water.
Freshness
Coffee has a shelf life like anything else. When it is ground and not vaccum packed it loses freshness 24-48 hours after grinding. This not saying you can't use it, but after this point it will not taste as good. Try buying a grinder and grinding it as needed. Keep your coffee in an airtight container in a cool place. whole bean coffee has a 7 day shelf life after the bag is opened(If it was vaccumed packed).Never put your coffee in the freezer or refrigerator. This actually cracks the bean and sucks the oils out of it.oil keeps the flavor in.
Make sure your using the appropriate amount of water to coffee(see proportion).
Glass coffee pots do have a tendency to burn the coffee after 30 minutes. A thermal pot will ensure less burnt taste and will keep the coffee at the appropriate heat.Try also getting one that has a shower brewer. It covers the whole filter of coffee and you'll get the best flavor. Also keep your pot cleaned at least monthly. It really depends on your lime content in your area. I have found Krups, Black and Decker, and Kitchen Aid have great pots at reasonable prices.
Generally a good coffee shop will rebrew their coffee at least every hour. Some stands or mom and pop joints don't.
Last thing is figure out what type of coffee you like. This means do you like it bold and smokey, or smooth with a cocoa finish, or light and bright. You can go to a Starbucks and they can show you the differences between different types of regions and flavor profiles.
Source(s):
Worked in coffee industry for 7 years
Try using a coffie maker cleaner. There's probably build up in the machine. Depending upon how old it is, you may want to just buy a new one
your measurements are probably off- try this- one (slightly heaping) tablespoon to one cup of coffee. so if you are going to make 6 cups- you need 6 slightly rounded tablespoons of coffee grounds. if it is too strong add a little bit more water until it tastes right- then readjust your measurements.
Make sure your grounds are very fine.
Fine grounds have more surface area for the water to extract flavor.
Distilled water is a must. Distilled water is nothing but H2O. No contaminants to interfere with the flavor.
Finally, add a shake or two of Cassia Cinnamon or Natural Cocoa to the grounds before brewing.
Those are my tips.
We use two rounded measures for one full pot, (about 4 cups)
and after it is made we pour it back through the filter again
into a carafe.
Our coffee is always the rave to family and guests.
The secret is our double brew of the coffee grounds.
Works for us !!
Folgers is our preference when it comes to great coffee.
Coffee ground needs to be fresh.
Grind size must be correct for the machine/method used.
Machine needs to be clean.
Measurements needs to be correct. Err on the strong side.
Water should be very hot but not boiling. If it is still bubbling, it is too hot.