David Diskin

Your French press coffee likely tastes bitter now due to over-extraction caused by one or more factors: using water that is too hot, grinding the beans too finely, or steeping the coffee for too long. Other causes can include stale coffee beans or a dirty brewing apparatus. [1, 2, 3, 4]

This video explains the concept of over-extraction and how it leads to bitter coffee:

Troubleshooting steps to fix bitter coffee

1. Adjust your grind size

Problem: A grind that is too fine creates more surface area, leading to over-extraction.
Solution: Use a coarse, coarse grind for French press coffee, similar to sea salt. If you grind your own beans, adjust your grinder's settings. [3, 5, 6, 7]

2. Lower the water temperature

Problem: Water that is too hot can "scald" the coffee grounds and leach bitter compounds.
Solution: Let boiling water cool for about 30 seconds to a minute before pouring it over the grounds. The ideal temperature is between (). [3, 4, 8]

This video explains how to adjust water temperature for better coffee brewing:

3. Shorten the brew time

Problem: The longer the coffee steeps, the more it can over-extract.
Solution: Aim for a brew time of about 4 minutes. After plunging, pour all the coffee immediately into a mug or carafe. Leaving coffee in the press with the grounds will cause it to continue brewing and become more bitter. [3, 8, 9]

4. Check your equipment

Problem: Old coffee oils can build up in your press, becoming rancid and affecting the flavor.
Solution: Clean your French press thoroughly after each use. If it's been a while, a deeper clean with soap and water may be necessary to remove any stuck-on residue. [2, 10, 11, 12, 13]

You can watch this video to learn how to properly clean your French press:

5. Use fresh, quality beans

Problem: Stale or low-quality beans will naturally produce a less flavorful and more bitter cup.
Solution: Buy fresh, whole-bean coffee and store it in an airtight container away from light and heat. Look for a roast date on the bag to ensure freshness. [1, 5, 6, 14, 15]

AI responses may include mistakes.

[1] https://club.atlascoffeeclub.com/bitter-coffee-and-6-fixes/

[2] https://www.home-barista.com/brewing/why-does-every-pot-french-press-i-make-taste-awful-t33937.html

[3] https://somethingsbrewing.in/blogs/brewing-tips/common-french-press-mistakes-how-to-fix-them

[4] https://espressoinsiders.com/brewing/french-press/if-your-french-press-coffee-tastes-bitter-do-this/

[5] https://ineedcoffee.com/troubleshooting-french-press-coffee/

[6] https://levista.in/blogs/news/why-my-coffee-taste-bitter

[7] https://staresso.com/blogs/espresso/why-does-my-coffee-taste-burnt

[8] https://baristaandco.com/blogs/news/why-your-cafetiere-coffee-tastes-bad

[9] https://www.javapresse.com/blogs/french-press/having-trouble-with-your-french-press-here-are-5-things-to-try

[10] https://www.youtube.com/shorts/cWa6kMBhM5k

[11] https://www.bonescoffee.com/a/blog/best-coffee-for-french-press