Coffee Tastes Sour? Here Why, And How To Fix It

It’s no secret that coffee can be a little sour. But what causes this taste, and more importantly, how can you fix it?

You can’t live with sour coffee indefinitely, and it isn’t a disease that you have to accept. It’s simply a matter of getting out some baking soda and putting your nose to the grinds.

We’ll walk you through it.

First, Let’s Examine Why Your Coffee Is Sour.

The difference between sour and tart is simple: bad beans and poor brewing.

Under-roasting causes beans to have a grassy, sour flavor. If they’re old and rancid, they’ll have a distinct lemony taste. But unless your beans are damaged in some way, you probably bought them fresh—meaning it’s time to make some minor changes to your coffee-making technique.

Under-extracted coffee is known as sour coffee. The beans didn’t get sufficiently brewed… and so some of the flavors aren’t present to balance out the acids.

Here’s how an at-home extraction usually goes:

• The ground beans are too coarse. Extracts are quickened by fine grounds, but big ones take longer because the water must spend more time penetrating into the center of each particle (you know, science). An excessively large grind size might simply indicate that each particle isn’t getting enough time in the process.
• You ended up with a bad coffee. There are many techniques to improve the flavor while retaining caffeine. The acidity in your coffee was still too strong, so you will need to make some adjustments. To enhance the taste, you may grind more beans or use pre-ground beans. You should also consider switching to a French press or pour over cone
• Your water is too cool. The optimum temperature for coffee is believed to be between 195 and 205 degrees Fahrenheit. It won’t extract the finest components from the coffee as quickly if it gets below that, which may result in under-extraction.
• You didn’t give enough water to the grounds. The amount of water you use has a big impact, and if you don’t provide each ground with the appropriate quantity of water it needs to extract a balanced beverage, you’ll end up with under-extracted coffee.

If you’re used to buying dark roast coffee from the supermarket, most “specialty coffee” beans will likely taste more acidic than you’re used to.

This is by design—keeping some of that tang and zing helps to round out the tastes.

Give it a few sips. It may take several cups for your taste buds to get used to the new acidity, but after they do, you’ll be able to notice greater qualities in the beans that you couldn’t before.

4 Barista-Approved Solutions to Fix Soured Coffee

Every bag is unique (not manufactured in a factory), so it’s quite normal to need to make minor amendments after switching beans in order for them to taste balanced once more.

When you change coffee beans and repeat the identical processes, one cup may taste great but another may be sour. That’s simply how fresh food works; there’s no need to be concerned.

Remember: sour coffee is under-extracted coffee, so the goal is to get more out of it.

Here’s how to boost extraction to cure a sour coffee if you’re a professional barista.

• Increase the brew time by grinding your beans more finely (intermediate). The smaller the grind, the faster it will take to extract a proper flavor, so even if you do nothing else, this alone may help. Smaller grounds also slow down the draining of water when using a pour over method, extending the brewing time.
• Adjust the water temperature for a stronger brew (simple). There are numerous ways to do this. If you’re using an immersion brewer like a french press, just add +20 seconds before plunging down the filter. Pour over coffee may be brewed more slowly or ground beans finer to allow the water to drain slower.
• Check your water’s temperature (simple). The ideal range is between 195 and 205 degrees. If you live in a high-elevation region where the water boils at 195, you should use it as soon as possible to avoid it from cooling down.
• Put a tiny bit more water in (more difficult). Water adds to the ease of access for each individual ground to fresh water to extract into, so there’s less rushing around. Adding water also slows down the brewing process because it takes longer to pour more water.

The first fix is to use a clear or colored cleanser. If you’re not sure what kind of cleanser to use, one option is the Neet’s Clean Tea Tree Oil Liquid Soap – it removes impurities without drying out your skin! -> The second solution is to apply a clean or colored cleanser. If you’re not sure

It may take two to three changes to return to that ideal sweet spot once again. However, the longer you spend tasting and adjusting your coffee, the simpler it will get.

What Is The Best Way To Detect Acidity?

Specialty coffees are characterized by a bit of acidity, yet it’s in a delicious, vibrant way.

This is the most important aspect of the flavor profile. It’s a clean, crisp citrus taste with just enough nuance to it to make you feel like you’re drinking something special.

It’s a simple, bright, clean, and balanced tang. It often aids in the detection of other tastes since it adds flavor zest and pizzazz to the overall taste experience.

Here are a few taste note examples of what excellent acidity may taste like:

• Sweet and lovely, like a strawberry.
• It’s delicious, like a pineapple, but it’s light and crisp.
• Beautiful and soft, similar to a peach.

It’s a lovely coffee beverage. You may even try it right now, just like this.