This is how you navigate the flavors of espresso - Tips for avoiding sour or bitter taste
Apr 06, 2023
Espresso is a drink that is loved by many around About in the world for its unique flavor and aroma. But sometimes a espresso can taste sour or bitter, which can diminish the enjoyment of this exquisite drink. In this blog post, we will look at how to navigate the flavors of espresso and what measures can be taken About it tastes sour or bitter.
First and foremost, it is important to understand what can cause a espresso to taste sour or bitter. A sour espresso can be the result of the beans being roasted for too long or too little, or that the brewing has been too short. In espresso this is often referred to as under-extracted. A bitter espresso on the other hand, can be due to the beans being roasted too much or the brewing time being too long.
Before we delve into the measures, start by always using the same dose each time so that you only have one parameter that you change at a time. About there are too many different variables such as dose, brewing time, brewing temperature, and grind size, it will be far too difficult to understand why your espresso does not taste good.
About espresso tastes sour
About if you find that your espresso tastes sour, there are some measures you can take to correct the flavor. One way is to use higher quality beans and ensure they are fresh. About if the beans are too old, they may have lost their natural sweetness and acidity. You can also adjust the grind size to achieve a espresso that is less sour. A finer Grind can help reduce acidity.
Measure
- Grind finer (contributes to longer brewing time)
- Increase brewing temperature (recommendation between 93 to 96 degrees)
- Buy darker roasted espresso beans (generally easier to brew with darker roasted beans)
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About espresso tastes bitter
About if your espresso tastes bitter, you can also take measures to correct the flavor. One way is to use higher quality beans and ensure they are fresh. About if the beans have been roasted too much, it can make the coffee taste burnt or bitter. You can also adjust the grind size to achieve a espresso that is less bitter. A coarser Grind can help reduce bitterness.
Measure
- Grind coarser (contributes to shorter brewing time)
- Lower brewing temperature (recommendation between 93 to 90 degrees)
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General to know about About brewing
To get the best out of your espresso, it is also important to use the right amount of coffee and water. A general guideline is to get double the amount espresso as the amount of grams of coffee you use. That is to say, a normal double espresso uses about 18g of freshly ground coffee and with that, you should aim to get about 36g espresso. About if you use too much coffee or too little water, it can affect the flavor of your espresso and feel far too intense.
How brewing time matters
The time it takes to extract your desired amount espresso plays a significant role. About If the brewing time is too short, the espresso will taste sour, and About if the time is too long, it will taste bitter. A general guideline is that it should take somewhere between 20-30 seconds. So, if About it took you under 20 seconds to extract 36g espresso, you should grind finer until you land between 20 and 30 seconds.
How much coffee should I use?
We usually say around 18 grams for a double espresso and about 10 grams for a single shot. Of course, larger and smaller amounts can work too; here it is important to stick to a measure so you don't introduce multiple variables when trying to achieve a good result.
Use a scale!
A quick way to achieve good results is with a scale. This way, you can measure and understand what you need to change.
Step-by-step guide:
- Weigh 18g of coffee in the portafilter
- Place a scale under the coffee cup and start brewing while timing!
- When you reach 36g espresso, stop the brewing and the timer.
- About If the time was under 20 seconds, grind finer and try again. About If the time was over 30 seconds, grind coarser and try again.
- When you reach a good time with the right amount but it still tastes sour, try raising the brewing temperature. About If it tastes bitter, try lowering the brewing temperature.
Since everything depends on how good your beans are, you will need to experiment, but with this guide, you can quickly achieve a reasonably good result and then make small adjustments to get the best results possible.
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In summary, it is essential to use high-quality beans, ensure they are fresh, and use the right amount of coffee and water to get the best out of your espresso. About If your espresso tastes sour or bitter, you can adjust the grind size or brewing time to correct the flavor. With the right technique and a bit of experience, you can quickly become a master at brewing the perfect espresso and enjoy its exquisite flavors and aromas.
