If you are a coffee fan who needs a good cup of joe every morning to start the day but have been unhappy with how strong your coffee is lately, there might be some ways to fix this.
If you have noticed that your coffee is way too strong, you may need to change your beans or roast type, alter your brewing methods, or choose a different coffee grinder.
To learn more about common coffee brewing mistakes and how to troubleshoot your coffee-making techniques when your coffee is too strong, continue reading below.
Get the Temperature Right
When you brew coffee, it is essential to ensure that the water you use is not too cold or too hot.
If possible, heat your water to between 195 and 205 degrees Fahrenheit for the perfect coffee brewing temperature. This temperature will ensure that your coffee grounds don’t get burned or boiled as the water meets the beans.
It is also important to use the proper water when making your coffee to avoid bringing out too much bitterness or acidity from the coffee.
To avoid too strong coffee, always use fresh or filtered water instead of distilled or fluoride tap.
Don’t Use a Blade Grinder
Using a blade grinder can be a significant factor as to why your coffee might taste too strong. If you choose to grind your whole beans at home rather than purchase them pre-ground, consider using a burr grinder instead.
A burr grinder, unlike a blade grinder, can grind all of your beans evenly instead of leaving large chunks that can change the strength of your brew.
Grind to the Right Consistency
If you drink your coffee and consistently notice that it tastes too strong for your preference, you might be over-grinding when you prepare your beans.
If you are using a French Press, make sure that you use coarse-ground coffee. Coarse grinding will ensure that the grounds don’t make their way into your cup and over-steep once poured.
On the other hand, if you enjoy making your coffee with a drip brewer, your coffee beans should be a medium grind, while you should always grind espresso to a fine consistency.
Grinding to the right consistency will prevent over-steeping, thereby stopping your coffee from getting too unnecessarily strong.
Measure Your Coffee
Measuring your coffee is key when brewing it because just one extra half-scoop can be the difference between a delicious morning beverage and a cup of coffee that is way too strong.
Using too little amounts of coffee can also alter the taste of your brew, making it lackluster rather than strong. Both are not ideal options.
To get as close as possible to the perfect individual cup of coffee, we suggest a seventeen to one coffee to water ratio.
This ratio means that there should be seventeen times more coffee than water per coffee serving. This ratio can better bring out the intended taste of the roast.
Choose A Lighter Roast
If you are already using the correct type and amount of water, not over-grinding your coffee, and brewing at the proper water temperature, the roast might be why your coffee tastes strong.
For those who are consistently unhappy with the strength or flavor of their coffee, it is a good idea to consider switching to a different bean, brand, or roast.
Some companies roast their beans in a way that makes them more bitter and acidic. Others use methods that increase the floral notes in their coffee.
Depending on the type of coffee you buy, your cup might end up tasting lighter or more robust.
Top It Off
Another way to get a good caffeine buzz without dealing with the unpleasant taste of too-strong coffee is to add some milk and sugar.
While this won’t fix a cup of coffee that has been ground or brewed incorrectly, it can help when the type of coffee is simply a roast you don’t favor.
Some delicious options for coffee toppers include:
- Milk or a non-dairy alternative
- Honey or agave
- White or brown sugar
- Flavor pumps like vanilla, almond, or caramel
- Mocha syrup
- Whipped cream or milk foam
A Delicious Cup of Joe
If your coffee has become too strong, give these simple solutions a try.
Whether it’s using the right grinder and water temperature, switching your beans, adding flavors, or measuring your coffee more carefully, you are sure to end up with a more delicious caffeinated beverage.
Happy Caffeinating!
