Top 5 Mistakes When Brewing Coffee at Home

You’ve invested in great beans, already imagining that perfect morning sip, but something went wrong… The taste doesn’t delight, the balance is gone, and the pleasure from the cup has evaporated somewhere. What’s the problem? There are nuances that can easily ruin your coffee, even if you’ve chosen the best variety. Let’s figure out what went wrong and how to fix it.

• Tap water — the main enemy of your cup

About 98% of coffee is water. So its quality directly affects the taste of the drink. If you’re using tap water, don’t be surprised if your coffee has a strange aftertaste, excessive bitterness, or even metallic notes.

Filtered or bottled water with low mineral content is the best match for your coffee. The ideal mineralization (TDS) is between 75 to 150 mg/l. If the minerals are too high, the water will extract extra bitter compounds. If there are too few, the coffee may taste bland and flat. The optimal pH level is 6.5-7.5. Water that’s too acidic (pH < 6.5) may highlight harsh acidity, while alkaline water (pH > 7.5) can make the taste "soapy" or flat.

• Wrong grind — mission "ruin the taste" accomplished ✔️

Ground coffee is not universal. If you use too coarse a grind for espresso, the coffee will be watery. If it’s too fine for filter coffee, you’ll get a bitter brew.

Match the grind to your brewing method. And if you’re unsure and don’t know which grind you need, click here — we’ve already written a useful article on grind types and the best coffee recipes for each brewing device!

P.S. The ideal option is to buy a burr grinder and grind the beans just before brewing. This gives the freshest aroma and taste.

• "Eye-balling it" — definitely not for coffee

Lack of precise proportions is another reason why your coffee doesn’t taste right. If you add too much coffee, you get a bitter and over-saturated taste. Too little, and it’s a weak "coffee-like" liquid.

Use a kitchen scale. Each brewing method has its own proportions, and they exist for a reason ;)

• Coffee left open — all the magic disappears
  Yep, coffee quickly absorbs moisture, odors, and loses its aroma. If you store it in an open package or in the fridge, the taste might be… well, you know what it’ll be like :(

So:

1. Store your beans in an airtight container.

2. Keep them in a dry, dark place (but not in the fridge!).

3. Try to use the coffee within 3-4 weeks after opening.

• Water temperature — not boiling hot!

Boiling water (100°C) literally burns the coffee, and water that’s too cold doesn’t extract all the flavors.

The ideal water temperature is 94–96°C.

If you don’t have a thermometer, just wait 30 seconds after the water has boiled, then pour it over your coffee.

• What’s the takeaway?

Be attentive = top-notch coffee every day and every night!

Even the best beans can be ruined if brewed incorrectly. So, forget tap water, keep an eye on the grind, dosage, and temperature — and your coffee at home will be on point. Show all those third-wave coffee shops what you’re capable of when you're informed :D