Fixing a Bitter Espresso: A How-To Guide

published on: 2022-05-10

When learning to pull espressos, it’s almost impossible to get the first ones right. You might pull your espressos as too large, too small, too quick or too slow. All of these things have an impact on the taste of the espresso.

One common outcome is that the espresso comes out as bitter. What can you do if your espresso tastes sour?

Here are some tips how to make turn your bitter espresso into a delicious one the time you pull one.

How to make your espresso not bitter?

Here are some tips on how to fix a bitter espresso:

• Use a coarser grind: If your espresso tastes sour, it is probably because the coffee grounds are too fine. By using a coarser grind, you will be able to reduce the bitterness.
• Increase the water temperature: Another reason for bitter espresso might be that the water used is not hot enough. Try increasing the water temperature and see if that makes a difference.
• Use less coffee: It is also possible that you are using too much coffee in relation to the amount of water. Try using less coffee and see if that makes your espresso less bitter.
• Clean your machine: Sometimes, the bitterness might come from your espresso machine itself. Make sure to clean it regularly to get rid of any build-up that might be causing the bitter taste.
• Make sure that the grind is consistent. While this is related to the first point in this list, it’s not the same. Inconsistent grind can easily lead to inconsistent espresso.

By following these tips, you should be able to fix a bitter espresso. Remember that it takes practice to get the perfect espresso, so don’t give up if you don’t get it right away! Keep trying and you’ll eventually get there.

How to know your espresso is bitter without tasting it?

If you’re making an espresso to someone else, it’s probably not a good idea to take a sip to make sure that the taste is just right. If you suspect you’ve pulled a bitter tasting espresso, you might want to look for these signs:

• The espresso is darker than usual: This is an indication that the coffee grounds were too fine.
• The espresso has less crema than usual: This might be an indication that the grind was too coarse or that the water wasn’t hot enough.
• There is an unusual smell to the espresso: This is another sign that the coffee grounds were probably too fine.

By keeping these things in mind, you should be able to tell if your espresso is bitter without actually tasting it.

Can you fix a bitter espresso that has already been pulled? It’s very unlikely because the damage has already been done. But if you apply the tips above, you’re more likely to not make a bitter espresso the next time you pull one. Just don’t go too far because you don’t want to end up with a sour tasting espresso either.

Filed under: espressobitter