Laurie4b Posted June 7, 2017 Share Posted June 7, 2017 (edited) I need to drink coffee at doctor's suggestion because it makes a drug I'm taking more effective. Otherwise, I would have given up. I chug down my coffee as fast as possible --like medicine. It just tastes so bitter. I don't have the same reaction to coffee in restaurants. I have tried using an old Mr. Coffee, then switched to a pour over set up without much improvement. I use the Mr. Coffee to warm the water though, so if the water temp is an issue, that might be the problem. For the pour over, I pour a little bit in, wait 30 sec for it to soak in, then pour in the rest of the water as it goes down. I need about 3 cups, so it takes a while to pour it all through. I have tried various fair trade coffees and they have all been Blech! What am I doing wrong? ETA (To answer questions that have come up below) : I use the amount of coffee per package directions, so 2 Tb per 6 oz. I do use milk, but not sugar for health reasons. I choose coffees that are labeled light roasts. I think all that I have tried have been from various countries in South America. Edited June 7, 2017 by Laurie4b 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bolt. Posted June 7, 2017 Share Posted June 7, 2017 Is it actually coffee that helps, or could you just take a caffeine tablet? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Posted June 7, 2017 Share Posted June 7, 2017 (edited) What brand of coffee are you using for starters? :) ETA- I just reread your post and saw Fair Trade. Where do you enjoy drinking coffee from, if any? Edited June 7, 2017 by texasmom33 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
regentrude Posted June 7, 2017 Share Posted June 7, 2017 (edited) It may have to do with the water temperature - Mr Coffee just "warms" the water, but does not actually boil it. Bring the water to a rolling boil and then let it cool down a tiny bit before pouring it over the coffee. How much coffee grounds do you use per cup? Also, experiment with different roasts. The differences are huge. Edited June 7, 2017 by regentrude 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LuvToRead Posted June 7, 2017 Share Posted June 7, 2017 Have you tried cold brew? It is less bitter, and very easy to make. It is basically a coffee concentrate that you can either add boiling water or cold water and ice. 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LuvToRead Posted June 7, 2017 Share Posted June 7, 2017 (edited) Here is a link to cold brew: http://thepioneerwoman.com/cooking/perfect-iced-coffee/ I do about 2 cups coffee and 6 cups water. Edited June 7, 2017 by LuvToRead 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SparklyUnicorn Posted June 7, 2017 Share Posted June 7, 2017 Maybe you are making it too strong for your tastes. I make mine fairly weak, but that's how I like it. I use half of what it generally calls for on the package or any instructions I've found. 5 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Spryte Posted June 7, 2017 Share Posted June 7, 2017 Maybe try a French press? You can pick one up for $7. If you're buying dark roasts, those often taste burned or acidic. Try a blonde roast. 3 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tdbates78 Posted June 7, 2017 Share Posted June 7, 2017 (edited) I love coffee, and drink several cups a day, but I have to drink the lightest blend. For me that's usually a breakfast blend. If I drink anything stronger I get that bitter taste. I cannot drink Starbucks due to that...even their lightest blend (the blonde roast) is too strong for me and gives me that bitter taste. At home I've figured out my perfect radio of water to coffee to get the flavor as I like it. I use a single cup keurig, and I measure out exactly 10 ounces of water with my Green Mountain Breakfast Blend. Anything less and, again, it tastes bitter. Everyone has their own coffee preferences. Usually it's trial and error until you find a coffee you like AND figure out the water-to-coffee ratio. Edited June 7, 2017 by tdbates78 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
solascriptura Posted June 7, 2017 Share Posted June 7, 2017 I would do the pour over method. However, for the initial moistening of the grounds use about an ounce of water, let it drain, dump and rinse cup, and then you proceed. The initial water holds almost all of the bitterness, so I throw it out. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lanny Posted June 7, 2017 Share Posted June 7, 2017 There are many different kinds of Coffee here in Colombia. The best quality coffee is exported. We can buy that, but it is more expensive and we do not pay for that extra quality. We drink the lower quality, which is very good. In our house, we switched to a brand that is quite strong "Cafe Sello Rojo", a few years ago. You need to have a good coffee maker (ours is a Proctor-Silex which we bought because it is almost impossible to spill water or coffee when using it). You need to use the proper amount of coffee for the amount of water you are adding and you need to have a coffee maker that is operating properly and getting things to the proper temperature. Question: Is there a coffee that you enjoy drinking in a restaurant or somewhere else? If so, ask them which brand they use. I don't know what a Fair Trade Coffee is so cannot comment on anything you do not buy in a regular supermarket. Buy Colombian Coffee! 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
zoobie Posted June 7, 2017 Share Posted June 7, 2017 I was also going to suggest cold brew or French press. The pour over looks simple too, but I don't have personal experience with it. DH's secret (from Alton Brown I think) is to add a pinch of salt to the grounds. If you want an automatic thing, Nespresso is so much better than Keurig. It makes espresso which is lower acid or something too. You can make lattes, Americanos, etc. 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Teacher Mom Posted June 7, 2017 Share Posted June 7, 2017 Keurig and the trial coffee sampler. I just kept trying a new one every day until I found it. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ethel Mertz Posted June 7, 2017 Share Posted June 7, 2017 Add milk and sugar? Plus Keurig. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Laurie4b Posted June 7, 2017 Author Share Posted June 7, 2017 I would do the pour over method. However, for the initial moistening of the grounds use about an ounce of water, let it drain, dump and rinse cup, and then you proceed. The initial water holds almost all of the bitterness, so I throw it out. I did not know that. I will give that a try. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Laurie4b Posted June 7, 2017 Author Share Posted June 7, 2017 What brand of coffee are you using for starters? :) ETA- I just reread your post and saw Fair Trade. Where do you enjoy drinking coffee from, if any? I've used various brands of Fair Trade coffee, some from Trader Joe's, some from our local organic store. I think everything I've tried has been from somewhere in South America. I enjoy drinking coffee anywhere I do not make it! ;) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Laurie4b Posted June 7, 2017 Author Share Posted June 7, 2017 Is it actually coffee that helps, or could you just take a caffeine tablet? Coffee. That is what has been tested. It contains so many phytochemicals in addition to the caffeine. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Laurie4b Posted June 7, 2017 Author Share Posted June 7, 2017 It may have to do with the water temperature - Mr Coffee just "warms" the water, but does not actually boil it. Bring the water to a rolling boil and then let it cool down a tiny bit before pouring it over the coffee. How much coffee grounds do you use per cup? Also, experiment with different roasts. The differences are huge. I will try that. Is there a certain temp I need to let it cool to? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
wapiti Posted June 7, 2017 Share Posted June 7, 2017 I'm no coffee expert, but I don't care for bitter coffee either. I prefer a cone-shaped coffee maker/filter - our flat-bottomed Mr Coffee tastes more bitter. For coffee, I use a brand from Costco; I think it's called Pinon (red bag with yellow on it). I only use 1 tbsp per 6 oz water; 2 tbsp would be way too much for me. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Laurie4b Posted June 7, 2017 Author Share Posted June 7, 2017 Keurig and the trial coffee sampler. I just kept trying a new one every day until I found it. I have always liked whatever coffee came out of a Keurig. I was about ready to spring for one, but wondered if its innards are plastic or something that doesn't leach chemicals. Do you happen to know? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JudoMom Posted June 7, 2017 Share Posted June 7, 2017 A long time ago, I heard or read somewhere that using too few grounds will increase bitterness. Whether or not this is true, I'm not sure, but thought I'd throw it out there. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
wapiti Posted June 7, 2017 Share Posted June 7, 2017 (edited) FWIW, I think Keurig tastes more acidic or something, though I have only tried the re-packable little cup. I prefer a paper filter (not sure if the Keurig cups filter with paper?). Edited June 7, 2017 by wapiti Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LuvToRead Posted June 7, 2017 Share Posted June 7, 2017 A long time ago, I heard or read somewhere that using too few grounds will increase bitterness. Whether or not this is true, I'm not sure, but thought I'd throw it out there. I read something similar to this, too. The article said you should brew really strong coffee, then dilute the brewed coffee with hot water. Too much water running through too little grounds will bring out the bitterness. I have never tried, so I have no idea if it is true. Wish I could remember where I read it. Martha Stewart comes to mind. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
wintermom Posted June 7, 2017 Share Posted June 7, 2017 I think a French Press would be a great starting place to work on tweaking your coffee brew to be just right for you. There, you have all the control over how hot the water is, how much coffee grounds you use, and how long you allow the grounds to soak in the water. Also, using full-fat milk or high fat cream usually tastes better! :laugh: Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
solascriptura Posted June 7, 2017 Share Posted June 7, 2017 I did not know that. I will give that a try. [/quote When I'm short on time and skip it, the bitterness ruins my entire cup. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MercyA Posted June 7, 2017 Share Posted June 7, 2017 ETA (To answer questions that have come up below) : I use the amount of coffee per package directions, so 2 Tb per 6 oz. That seems like a lot to me. My plain old Folger's calls for 1 tbsp. per 6 oz. When my mom makes coffee for church, she sprinkles a little salt over the grounds. She claims it makes the coffee less bitter. Her coffee is usually pretty good. :) 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SparklyUnicorn Posted June 7, 2017 Share Posted June 7, 2017 Yep that's the usual amount it calls for. I do half that. So one level TBSP per 6oz. I need to drink coffee at doctor's suggestion because it makes a drug I'm taking more effective. Otherwise, I would have given up. I chug down my coffee as fast as possible --like medicine. It just tastes so bitter. I don't have the same reaction to coffee in restaurants. I have tried using an old Mr. Coffee, then switched to a pour over set up without much improvement. I use the Mr. Coffee to warm the water though, so if the water temp is an issue, that might be the problem. For the pour over, I pour a little bit in, wait 30 sec for it to soak in, then pour in the rest of the water as it goes down. I need about 3 cups, so it takes a while to pour it all through. I have tried various fair trade coffees and they have all been Blech! What am I doing wrong? ETA (To answer questions that have come up below) : I use the amount of coffee per package directions, so 2 Tb per 6 oz. I do use milk, but not sugar for health reasons. I choose coffees that are labeled light roasts. I think all that I have tried have been from various countries in South America. 3 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Arctic Bunny Posted June 7, 2017 Share Posted June 7, 2017 Could you borrow someone's Keurig or Tassimo? Also, water makes a huge difference in taste. My DH's "favourite" coffee changes depending on where we move, and the water there. So if other places are using filtered water and you're not, or vice versa, or a different source, that could contribute to a different taste. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Spy Car Posted June 7, 2017 Share Posted June 7, 2017 Is it "bitter" or "sour" that's the offending flavor? Latin American coffees (of the sort you've been using) tend to be higher-acid coffees that those from Africa or Indonesia. I'd try coffees from those regions in addition to adjusting your brew methods. Cold brewed might work for you. I like French press for my daily brew, but it makes strong and slightly gritty coffee. Cold brewed is lighter bodied (as is similar vacuum method coffee). Bill 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
alisoncooks Posted June 7, 2017 Share Posted June 7, 2017 I would do the pour over method. However, for the initial moistening of the grounds use about an ounce of water, let it drain, dump and rinse cup, and then you proceed. The initial water holds almost all of the bitterness, so I throw it out. I've not heard this! Definitely giving it a try -- I switched to a pour over a couple of years ago, but still haven't made the perfect cup of coffee with it. Maybe this will help. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tree Frog Posted June 7, 2017 Share Posted June 7, 2017 I use an aeropress to make my coffee. Depending on how much coffee I put in, it makes strong coffee that is easily diluted by adding water or ice. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pawz4me Posted June 7, 2017 Share Posted June 7, 2017 I love coffee but there's no way on earth I could drink any that was brewed with 2 Tbs. per 6 ounces of water. That would be way too strong for me! I fill a reusable Keurig pod (however much coffee that holds) and make about 14 ounces of brewed coffee. 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Posted June 7, 2017 Share Posted June 7, 2017 The Aeropress makes terrific coffee. I also would suggest using a medium roast, not a light roast, but not the burned out Starbucks roast, either. Roasting is what brings out the flavor of the coffee, at least to a certain point. Also, if you can get a little spendy, the Technovorm pourer coffeemakers are top rated because of the water temperature and delivery rate they use. I use a Nespresso, which is a little better than a Keurig because it uses more pressure to extract the flavor, so there is less bitterness. My dh uses the Technovorm with Thundermuck Coffee from Oregon and it is heavenly. Also, try going a little stronger--you can always dilute it but you can't make weak coffee strong. And...you might just not like coffee. :0). Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rebcoola Posted June 7, 2017 Share Posted June 7, 2017 Egg coffee seriously-I thought those Wisconsin church ladies were crazy but it is so good. https://www.thespruce.com/egg-coffee-2952648 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ktgrok Posted June 7, 2017 Share Posted June 7, 2017 Try cheaper coffee. The restaurants don't generally use the top-of-the-line stuff or fair trade stuff. Get some good old-fashioned Dunkin' Donuts or Folgers and try that. Or New England brand. Or try espresso instead? 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Debbi in Texas Posted June 7, 2017 Share Posted June 7, 2017 The best tasting coffee I have found is Folger's Black Silk 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Peaceseeker Posted June 8, 2017 Share Posted June 8, 2017 A pour over is actually a little trickier than just using a French press. If you do it incorrectly it can over extract or under extract and change the flavor. A French press doesn't require much technique, and the coffee is usually delicious :) I agree with finding a nice medium roast and playing with your ideal coffee to water ratio. Also the water does need to be just under boiling. Freshly roasted whole beans you grind yourself taste completely different from pre-ground coffee that has sat on a grocery store shelf for weeks or months. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Liz CA Posted June 8, 2017 Share Posted June 8, 2017 Second the cold brewing suggestion. Less acidic. Use a nice helping of whipping cream! :) 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
fdrinca Posted June 8, 2017 Share Posted June 8, 2017 https://www.americastestkitchen.com/articles/375-how-to-make-the-best-coffee 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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