Why is my coffee sour? The reason and solution for sour coffee
Why is my coffee sour? Coffee is an intriguing beverage since it has multiple layers of flavor. But have you ever made a cup of coffee that was overly sour?
Do you want to know what is causing the sour taste and how to deal with it? This article from 88 Coffee will help you address this problem.
How to tell if the coffee is sour?
Before discovering the reason why are some coffee sour, we need to know when you can tell if a cup of coffee is sour. To determine if your coffee is sour or not, you can rely on the following indicators:
- The taste: Sour coffee will have a harsh, sour taste that stands out from the other flavors in the cup. While a perfect cup of coffee may contain a tinge of acidity, the overall flavor should be balanced, with bitterness, sourness and sweetness working in harmony.
- The smell: If you can notice an exceedingly sour aroma coming from the cup before you drink it, your coffee has become extremely sour.
- The aftertaste: Does the coffee leave a sour sensation in your mouth after drinking? If so, the coffee cup has a high level of sourness.
Why is my coffee sour?
Based on these clues, you can tell if your coffee is sour. However, the perceived sourness of the coffee may be due to its natural acidity. So, how can you identify sourness from acidity?
Acidity and sourness are not the same
Sourness and acidity in coffee are related, but not identical. However, many people mix up sourness and acidity in coffee.
Sour coffee has an unbalanced, less fresh flavor. On the other hand, coffee's acidity is caused by the inherent acid content of the coffee beans.
Acidity is an important component that contributes to the overall flavor profile of a cup of coffee. A slight sourness from acidity can improve the coffee's flavor, making it excellent and vibrant.
Acidity stems from the coffee itself, but sourness is an unwanted byproduct of the brewing process. So, let’s find out “why is my coffee sour?”
Why is my coffee sour?
Coffee can occasionally go sour due to mistakes in the brewing or storage process. Here are some frequent reasons why your coffee could go sour: under-extraction; quality of coffee beans and grind size.
Water Temperature and Brewing Time
Water temperature and brew time are two factors that greatly impact the flavor of coffee.
If the water used for brewing coffee is not hot enough, the compounds in the coffee will not be fully extracted, leading to under-extraction and resulting in sour coffee.
Similarly, if the brew time is too short, the acidic compounds in the coffee are extracted first, causing the coffee to taste sour due to under-extraction.
In summary, improper water temperature and brew time lead to under-extraction, making the coffee taste overly sour.
Water and brewing time - Why does my coffee taste sour?
Coffee grind size
The compounds won't be fully extracted if the coffee grind is too coarse for the brewing procedure since the water will pass through too rapidly. Also, this will result in under-extraction and a sour taste in the coffee.
Quality of coffee beans
Coffee beans that are not well-roasted will taste acidic. This is due to the fact that short-roasted beans are unable to completely change the acidic components.
Consequently, the naturally occurring acids in the coffee maintain their prominence and intensify their sour flavor.
Furthermore, sour coffee can also result from incorrect coffee storage. Coffee, for instance, can oxidize when exposed to air, and variables like humidity, temperature, and length of storage can all have a big impact on the coffee's flavor.
How to handle sour coffee?
These are a few practical methods to make the necessary adjustments to prevent coffee from going sour:
Change the extraction time
You should lengthen the brew time to give the compounds more time to extract if the coffee is sour because it was extracted too quickly. The flavor of the coffee can be balanced by extending the extraction period.
Choose the right grind size
To ensure a more thorough extraction, you can try using a finer grind size if the coffee is sour. This will increase the surface area between the coffee and water.
Choose the right grind size - Why does coffee taste sour?
Verify the water's temperature
For a full extraction, coffee should be brewed with water that is between 90 and 95°C.
Water that is too cold can lead to under-extraction and make the coffee sour. You can use a thermometer if needed to ensure the water temperature is at the optimal level.
Choose the right coffee beans
To reduce sourness and improve flavor balance, use premium, freshly roasted coffee beans. Robusta coffee should be your first choice if you don't like sour coffee. Since Arabica coffee tends to be more acidic than Robusta coffee.
A reliable supplier of Robusta coffee is 88 Coffee Company. Robusta beans from the Vietnamese regions of Đắk Lắk and Lâm Đồng are used to make the coffee at 88 Coffee.
Vietnamese coffee is known for its bitterness, and 88 Coffee's Robusta combines this bitterness with a special roasting technique to produce a flavor harmony that is excellent.
Furthermore, 88 Coffee's product is free of artificial flavors and fillers, making it an ideal option for coffee.
Coffee should be stored correctly
To avoid environmental variables changing the flavor of coffee, store it in an airtight container in a dry, cool place.
Why is coffee sour?
While the above-mentioned techniques can assist you in adjusting and lowering the sourness in your coffee, you must also remember that coffee will always have a hint of sourness.
The various flavors contribute to the more complex and well-rounded flavor of your cup of coffee.
In conclusion, there are a number of reasons why does some coffee taste sour, including under-extraction, an imperfect grind, or low-quality beans.
Nonetheless, the methods listed in the article will take care of this problem properly. We hope that this information was useful to you.
For additional assistance or consultation, please get in touch with 88 Coffee if you're searching for a reputable coffee provider.