Why does coffee often taste bitter? These are the reasons.

Warum schmeckt Kaffee oft bitter? Das sind die Gründe.

Every coffee lover has surely asked themselves: "Why does my coffee sometimes taste bitter?" If your coffee tastes bitter, it can be due to a variety of factors, ranging from the roasting of the beans to the preparation. It's not uncommon for coffee to taste bitter, watery, or even sour instead of the expected rich aromas and nuances. Essentially, every coffee contains bitter compounds, but why does coffee sometimes taste more intensely bitter or even watery?

This guide offers helpful tips and explains the influence of various variables on the taste of your coffee. Whether you find that your freshly bought coffee no longer tastes as expected or your coffee suddenly tastes bitter, here you will find answers and solutions to achieve the optimal taste in your cup.

How to Avoid the Bitter Aftertaste in Your Coffee

It's a common complaint among coffee drinkers: suddenly, the morning pick-me-up doesn't taste the way it should. Perhaps you think the coffee is bitter, or there's a sour note that wasn't there before. Investigating the bitter taste of your coffee can be challenging, as various factors can influence the flavor.

There's nothing better than a delicious cup of coffee, but the key to this enjoyment often lies in how the coffee is prepared. Mistakes here can have negative effects on the taste. If your coffee is too bitter, unwanted bitter compounds may have been extracted, which often happens if the brewed coffee sits for too long.

Sometimes, it's not just the bitterness that's bothersome. Perhaps your coffee tastes sour or lacks its usual depth of aroma. This could indicate that the coffee isn't entirely fresh or that the beans weren't optimally roasted.

However, there is hope. Often, when coffee tastes bitter, there are simple corrections. Pay attention to how you prepare your coffee. For example, a grind that is too fine or water that is too hot can cause bitter compounds to be extracted into the coffee.

The goal is always to achieve a good taste, but sometimes the coffee simply doesn't taste the way we want it to. Then it might be time to reconsider the bean variety or the brewing method to minimize factors that negatively affect the taste. Because with a little care and attention, you can ensure that every cup hits exactly the taste you love.

The Beans and the Roasting

The choice of coffee beans plays a significant role in the taste of coffee. There are mainly two types of beans: Robusta and Arabica. While Arabica beans are known for their fine aroma and mild taste, Robusta beans have more bitter compounds and a stronger taste. The degree of roasting also influences the taste. The darker the bean is roasted, the more bitter compounds it contains.

Grind Size and Preparation

A fine grind is ideal for an espresso, but can lead to bitter coffee in other preparation methods. If the coffee is ground too finely or the extraction time is too long, many bitter compounds are extracted from the coffee. The brewing temperature is also crucial. A kettle with adjustable temperature can help to achieve the ideal water temperature for coffee and avoid boiling at too high temperatures, which intensifies the bitter taste.

Coffee Machines and Maintenance

Coffee from automatic coffee machines can sometimes still taste bitter, especially if the machine is not cleaned regularly. Freshly ground coffee and a well-maintained machine can make all the difference[5].

Tips for Better Coffee

  • Experiment with different grind sizes and preparation methods.
  • Check the water temperature and make sure it's not too hot.
  • Use fresh coffee and store coffee powder correctly.
  • Clean your automatic coffee machines regularly.

The taste of coffee is subjective, and what one person finds bitter, another might find perfect. Nevertheless, we hope this guide helps you find and enjoy the perfect coffee.

Coffee tastes bitter? The Conclusion.

Coffee lovers worldwide often ask themselves: "Why doesn't my coffee taste the way I expected?" and specifically "Why does the coffee taste bitter or is the coffee watery?". Many factors play a role, and this guide has shown that both bean selection and roasting and preparation have a great influence on the taste. Unwanted bitter compounds can be extracted from coffee, especially if the grind size is set too fine or the water was too hot. It is not uncommon for coffee to turn sour or acquire a bitter taste if it is not prepared correctly.

The secret to delicious coffee lies in the right balance of bean variety, roast level, and preparation method. A roast that is too dark or an incorrect water temperature can make the coffee taste bitter. But when everything is right, a cup of coffee can be the highlight of the day. Remember that sometimes, even if you have bought high-quality coffee, the preparation can make all the difference. If the coffee still tastes bitter, you should reconsider the preparation method or the grind size.

At the end of the day, it's up to you to find the ideal taste through experimentation. Perhaps you'll discover that a coarsely ground coffee or a slightly different roast level is precisely what gives your coffee that certain something and makes it less bitter. Ultimately, every coffee drinker should be able to enjoy their own delicious coffee without it being too bitter or watery. Because nothing beats the pleasure of a perfectly prepared cup that exactly matches your taste. And if your coffee tastes bitter, you now know where to start to change that.

Our most popular coffee beans for automatic machines


  • Espresso Emma Forte

    Price range: €10.50 to €41.00


    (41.00 / 1 kg)
    plus shipping
    Delivery time: immediately available
    Walnut, Chocolate, ToffeeSelect options This product has multiple variations. Options can be selected on the product page

  • Espresso Felix – The House Blend

    Price range: €12.50 to €49.00


    (49.00 / 1 kg)
    plus shipping
    Delivery time: immediately available
    Chocolate, Nougat, ToffeeSelect options This product has multiple variations. Options can be selected on the product page

  • Espresso Der Pate

    Price range: €11.00 to €43.00


    (43.00 / 1 kg)
    plus shipping
    Delivery time: immediately available
    Dark Chocolate, Caramel, Walnut Select options This product has multiple variations. Options can be selected on the product page

  • Espresso The Bäm

    Price range: €12.50 to €49.00


    (49.00 / 1 kg)
    plus shipping
    Delivery time: immediately available
    Caramel, Almond, Nougat  Select options This product has multiple variations. Options can be selected on the product page

Espresso Coffee Beans


  • Espresso Emma Forte

    Price range: €10.50 to €41.00


    (41.00 / 1 kg)
    plus shipping
    Delivery time: immediately available
    Walnut, chocolate, toffee Select options This product has multiple variations. Options can be selected on the product page

  • Espresso Felix – The House Blend

    Price range: €12.50 to €49.00


    (49.00 / 1 kg)
    plus shipping
    Delivery time: immediately available
    Chocolate, nougat, toffee  Select options This product has multiple variations. Options can be selected on the product page

  • Espresso Der Pate

    Price range: €11.00 to €43.00


    (43.00 / 1 kg)
    plus shipping
    Delivery time: immediately available
    dark chocolate, caramel, walnutSelect options This product has multiple variations. Options can be selected on the product page

  • Espresso The Bäm

    Price range: €12.50 to €49.00


    (49.00 / 1 kg)
    plus shipping
    Delivery time: immediately available
    Caramel, almond, nougat Select options This product has multiple variations. Options can be selected on the product page

Coffee Beans for Filter Coffee

Decaffeinated Coffee


Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Why does my coffee taste bitter?
Coffee can taste bitter for several reasons, including over-extraction (brewing too long), too fine a grind, too hot water, the quality of the coffee beans, and the purity of the water.

What can be done about bitter coffee?
To avoid bitter coffee, ensure a shorter brewing time, use a coarser grind, optimize the water temperature (between 90°C and 96°C), choose high-quality coffee beans, and use fresh, filtered water.

Which grind size if coffee is too bitter?
If coffee is too bitter, use a coarser grind. This reduces the surface area of the coffee that comes into contact with water, thereby decreasing the extraction of bitter substances.

Why does my coffee from the automatic machine become so bitter?
Coffee from an automatic machine can become bitter if the brewing unit is clogged, the grind setting is too fine, the brewing temperature is too high, or if the machine needs cleaning to remove deposits and coffee oils.

Which coffee has the least bitterness?
Arabica coffee generally has less bitterness than Robusta coffee. Light to medium roasted Arabica coffees offer a more balanced flavor profile with less bitterness.