A good cup of coffee is a cure-all in the morning and a great way to start the day. However, you may have problems with the bitter taste of this drink, especially if you like sweet sodas. To make the coffee less bitter, you can add salt, sugar or change the preparation method. You can also try a sweeter variety of beans, so you can enjoy coffee just the way you like it.
Steps
Method 1 of 3: Add Salt, Cream, and Sugar
Step 1. Put a pinch of salt in the coffee
This way you can make it less bitter and enhance its flavor. This happens because sodium chloride, the normal table salt, brings out more of the sodium contained in the drink, reducing the bitter taste.
- You can use regular table salt for this method.
- Keep in mind that adding a small amount of salt to coffee does not make it salty or spoil the flavor.
Step 2. Add cream or milk
This is another simple way to make this drink less bitter. It is a good solution if you like milk and want a neutral-tasting coffee, as the fats contained in the milk can counteract the bitterness of the coffee.
If you prefer black coffee but want to try this method, just add a teaspoon of milk or cream and drink the coffee to see if you like it. If the taste doesn't make you turn up your nose, you can add more milk if the coffee is still bitter
Step 3. Put the sugar in the coffee
This is the best solution if you are happy with the idea of contrasting the bitter with the sweet. Add a teaspoon of sugar so that the coffee becomes easier to drink.
You can use plain or brown sugar for this method. Brown sugar has a tendency to be less processed, so it's often your best bet
Method 2 of 3: Change the Coffee Preparation
Step 1. Try filtered coffee
This type of preparation has a tendency to be less bitter than others, such as French coffee or espresso. If you don't like bitter coffee, prepare it this way at home or at the bar and avoid espresso and American coffee, because they are the most bitter varieties.
If you make your own coffee at home, the bitterness of the drink depends on the roasting, quantity and type of beans. Experiment with your filter coffee maker until you get a coffee you like
Step 2. Change the size of the grind
If you make your own coffee at home, you should grind the beans yourself to get the freshest drink possible. When you do, make sure you don't grind them too finely. Preparation methods such as French coffee and drip filtration require different sized grains. Often, in plunger coffee makers, the coffee is less bitter if the grains are large. Similarly, with the filtration method, the coffee has a tendency to be less bitter if the grain of the ground beans is not too fine.
Experiment with the size of the grains based on the type of preparation you use. Finding the right size can improve the overall flavor of the coffee, including bitterness
Step 3. Check that you are not using water that is too hot
Another reason why the coffee you make at home can be too bitter is the excessive temperature of the water, which should not exceed 98 ° C. The ideal water temperature for coffee is between 91 ° C and 96 ° C.
- Get in the habit of leaving the water in the teapot for a few minutes to cool down before pouring it over the beans.
- Quickly stirring the ground coffee with a spoon after pouring the water can also improve the flavor of the drink.
Step 4. Thoroughly clean the tools you use to make coffee
Make sure you rinse everything off after each time. The residues of the old beans can end up in the next cup, altering the flavor and perhaps making it more bitter. Rinse all the equipment with hot water, so that it is clean before the next coffee.
You should let the tools air dry so they are clean and ready to use the next day
Step 5. Store leftover coffee in a thermos
If you are using a plunger coffee maker, you should always pour any leftover coffee into a thermos to keep it warm. Leaving it in the coffee pot would become more bitter, because it would remain in contact with the beans more time. When you taste the bottom, it could be very bitter indeed.
You should also avoid advancing the coffee by measuring the water with a cup when making it. For example, if you want to make two cups of coffee, for yourself and a friend, measure the water exactly with two cups, so you don't have to worry about leftover coffee in the pot
Method 3 of 3: Choose a less bitter coffee variety
Step 1. Make a medium roast coffee
This roast has a tendency to be less bitter than the dark one, because the beans are cooked for less time and at a lower temperature. As a result, the flavor of this type of preparation is more acidic, less bitter, and the aroma is stronger than with a dark roast.
Ask for a medium roast coffee at your local coffee shop, or buy some beans roasted this way and make your own coffee of your choice at home
Step 2. Try decaf
It has been found that the decaffeination process also reduces the bitter taste. Try this type of drink and see if you feel the difference. Ask for a "deca" at the bar or buy some decaffeinated beans at home and prepare a cup yourself.
Step 3. Avoid instant coffee
While you may be tempted to save time and energy with this solution, bear in mind that the drink would often taste bland or too bitter. The instant one allows you to prepare a coffee simply by pouring it into hot water and turning it a couple of times, but it can contain additives, preservatives and low quality beans. If possible, always prefer real coffee. Choose a brewing method that doesn't make a too bitter drink and enjoy the true flavor of coffee in a nice cup.
