Post # 1
Member
2352 posts
Buzzing bee
So since I’m a glutton for punishment, I registered for and received a new coffee maker for my bridal shower. A highly advanced Cuisinart that does everything but wash your dishes. I set it up last night, flushed it out like the instructions say to and made coffee this morning. Lo and behold, it’s bitter and “thin” tasting, for lack of a better word. It’s not rich and smooth like coffee I get from somewhere outside (bagel store, Dunkin, etc). I have NEVER been able to achieve a truly GREAT cup of coffee at home with multiple machines and every coffee from organic fresh ground beans to unique flavors I find at Home Goods.
And I hate Keurig. I’ve never had a cup of coffee from a Keurig that I liked.
What gives? Is it just me? Is there some magical trick to getting a great cup of home made coffee? I don’t know what I’m missing here! Has anyone experienced this before??
Post # 2
Member
4296 posts
Honey bee
Do you buy whole bean and grind it at home? Or do you get it pre-ground?
One issue could be the coarsness of the grain, or it could be because the grounds do go bad not too long after ground. Also, are you getting the ratios right? It’s supposed to be 1 tbsp per 6 oz, and there are 8 oz in a cup… so that gets a bit complicated. I would say stick to 2.5 tbsp per every two cups measured water, which is equal to about one coffee cup (from my experience).
I suggest buying whole bean and getting an at-home grinder if you don’t already do this. It keeps the coffee fresher longer. Whole bean coffee has much longer shelf-life.
Post # 3
Member
2352 posts
Buzzing bee
damarajade: Thanks! I’ve tried all of that – fresh beans, grinder, yadda yadda yadda. This mornings cup was not the case, but it’s been bad in the past too.
What’s frustrating is it smells SO GOOD and then is always so bitter. I’m trying to save money, here, but all I want to do is go out and buy coffee at the bagel store!!
Post # 4
Member
3045 posts
Sugar bee
- Wedding: May 2015 - Walnut Hill Bed & Breakfast
I don’t drink coffee but my fiance is a coffee snob.
He swears by his aeropress. http://www.amazon.com/Aeropress-Coffee-and-Espresso-Maker/dp/B0047BIWSK He buys whole beans from a local roaster and grinds 1 cup’s worth with his Bodum grinder. He uses a tea kettle on the stove to heat water. Takes it off once it whistles then lets it sit for 30sec to a min to ‘cool down’. Then he wets all the coffee and presses it with the aeropress. Sometimes He’ll add more hot water after he’s pressed it depending on how strong he wants it.
Post # 5
Member
2352 posts
Buzzing bee
amberback: My FI swears by his French press. I can’t stand that either! To me, the coffee is always muddy. Like there are grinds in it!! That to me is not good!! LOL
Post # 6
Member
4296 posts
Honey bee
BurlapnLace: Oh man! Maybe just try a different brand or flavor?
Post # 7
Member
245 posts
Helper bee
I don’t think I can help you, but just for interest sake, is it a “Bean to Cup” machine, or a perculator? (i.e does it make coffee directly into your cup, or does it drip into a jug from which you pour into the cup)
This is probably not your problem, but while we’re on the subject – I was in Canada a few months ago, and I discovered Tim Hortons (best coffee ever!!), but could never figure out how they got the coffee so creamy. On Monday morning we ran out of milk, and I was forced to use cream in our coffee, and it’s the closest I’ve come to Tim Hortons.
Post # 8
Member
1338 posts
Bumble bee
maybe you should try a french press. they’re super easy and make coffee taste strong and delicious!
Post # 9
Member
3233 posts
Sugar bee
1) try using more coffee
2) try a lighter roast
3) try a lower water temp.
4) try getting a job at dunkin donuts to learn how they make coffee
Post # 10
Member
241 posts
Helper bee
- Wedding: October 2014 - Kukahiko Estate
I’m going to second everyone who said french press. It its coming out muddy to you, maybe don’t steep it as long (should be 4-5 minutes I think), or your grind is too fine.
I also always add half and half to my coffee, so I’m sure that helps too!
Post # 11
Member
309 posts
Helper bee
BurlapnLace: Bitter comes normally from 2 things – the roast – the darker the more bitter, and the coarsenss in proporion to the roast, so the most bitter will be the darkest roast + finest grind. I normally buy beans ad grounds rates as strength 3 out of 5. Fi bought some number 4 marked as espresso dark and no matter how I tried it comes out AWEFUL each time, I given up on this one.
I have also bought a number 3 ground Lavazza which turned out to be a finer ground – and after using my normal measuring spoon – it was aweful despight being a lighter roast. So I reduced the amount I put – and bingo, perfect cuppa. My fav ground Coffee is Costa – the ground is rougher so unless I use a heaped spoon it turns out very bland.
You need to find the right brand, roast and ground combo – and yes – perfect cuppa is possible at home. Sadly even the same brand might vary from batch to batch.
PS now we do have a all-singing-dancing bean to cup machine – you load the beans – set the grind, cuppa size and press the button – out come coffe with THICK crema that I never had with a percolator machine. I do tend to use ground coffe because Costa hit a sweet spot.
You just need to try a few brands and vary the amount you use.
Post # 12
Member
3045 posts
Sugar bee
- Wedding: May 2015 - Walnut Hill Bed & Breakfast
BurlapnLace: The aeropress uses a paper filter so there should never be grinds in it. If he’s getting grinds in the french press then he might not have the right type of grind.
Post # 13
Hostess
11888 posts
Sugar Beekeeper
RoxiB4b3: Tim hortons uses 18% cream in their coffee – know this 100% – worked there for 2 years 🙂
Post # 14
Hostess
11888 posts
Sugar Beekeeper
BurlapnLace: French press, really hot water, and a coarse grind – most people grind too fine 🙂
Post # 15
Member
245 posts
Helper bee
MsGinkgo: Ah that’s very interesting to know. Here in South Africa, we don’t have half&half. We just have the normal full cream and low fat milk, so I think that is why the cream tasted so much creamier and more like the Tim Hortons coffee
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