Fix your brew
If your coffee tastes bitter, sour or weak, change one thing at a time. Begin with clean equipment, fresh water and the grind intended for your brewer.
Bitter or harsh
Check whether the coffee has been sitting on a hotplate or staying in contact with the grounds after brewing. Pour it when the brew is ready. For manual brewing, a slightly shorter contact time may help. If you grind your own beans, try one small adjustment coarser while keeping the coffee and water amounts steady.
Unexpectedly sour and thin
Some coffees have a naturally bright flavour. If the cup tastes sharply sour and underdeveloped, check that the water is hot enough for your method and that the full brew cycle has finished. For manual brewing, try a little more contact time; if you grind at home, a small adjustment finer may help.
Weak or watery
Measure both the coffee and the water. For drip or French press, try 30 g of coffee with 500 mL of water as a starting recipe, scaling both amounts to fit your brewer. If the cup is still too weak, use a little more coffee with the same water next time.
A moka pot uses its own water level and basket capacity. Follow that pot's instructions rather than applying the drip recipe.
Using coffee we have ground for you
Check that the Grind option matches your coffee maker. Start with coffee dose, water and manual brewing time rather than changing several things at once. Clean the brewer and grinder as their manufacturers recommend.
Help us help with your next cup
If you would like a hand, contact us with the coffee name, brewer, grind, coffee and water amounts, brewing time and what you noticed in the cup.
Keep learning
Further reading: Baratza grind adjustment guidance; Specialty Coffee Association brewing ratios; Coffee Association of Canada brewing guidance.