Very few people actually “like” bitter coffee. But most people are willing to “put up with” bitter coffee. On the other hand, coffee connoisseurs, coffee nurds, and true coffee lovers know how to make non-bitter coffee. Smooth coffee makes their day. Fortunately, it’s not that tough. This guide is here to help.
#1 – Choose High-Quality Coffee Beans
The first step to reducing bitterness begins with the coffee bean itself. Unfortunately, the vast majority of coffee beans sold in the USA are very low quality, thus bitter. Remember the old saying, “…you can’t make a silk purse out of a sow’s ear”.
Non-bitter coffee, coffee that is smooth as silk, with well-balanced flavors, requires high-quality beans. The area in which you live may or may not have a source of quality beans. Fortunately, the internet has several good sources. One option is LakeCityCoffee.com.
At Lake City Coffee Roasters, we specialize in smooth coffee. We’ve found that the best Quality-to-Price-Ratio (QPR) beans come from Central America. The best QPR beans in Central America come from Costa Rica. And the best QPR beans in Costa Rica come from the Tarrazu Region of Costa Rica. Yet, we don’t buy just any beans from this region. Before buying, we taste test two dozen beans from this region every year, just so that we can pick one bean, one bean that exemplifies non-bitter coffee at its finest.
#2 – Go For Lighter Roasted Beans
Darker roasts tend to have a stronger, more bitter taste due to the roasting process that caramelizes sugars and burns off natural flavors. Light or medium roasts maintain more of the original flavors of the coffee bean and often yield a brighter and less bitter cup.
That being said, some dark roasts can also produce non-bitter coffee. The key issue here is not to have “burnt” beans. If the beans are black, then they’re going to make bitter coffee. If you want dark roasted beans, then look for very dark brown beans, i.e. almost black but not quite. Better yet, find a roaster that roasts low-n-slow, instead of the usual hot-n-fast.
Low-n-slow roasting leaves the inside of the beans still brown, thus containing all of the bean’s bioflavonoids, antioxidants, caffeine, natural sweetness, and smooth flavor, i.e., non-bitter coffee.
#3 – Grind Coffee Appropriately
The grind size plays a significant role in coffee’s flavor. If your coffee is too bitter, you might be grinding the beans too fine, causing over-extraction during brewing.
As a rule of thumb, the finer the grind, the more flavor, but also the more bitter. The more course the grind, the less flavor, but also the less bitter and the smoother the coffee. If you want your coffee smoother but also stronger, I suggest a courser grind, but a longer brewing time, (see #4 below).
Adjust the grind to match your brewing method. Below are a few suggestions to get you started, BUT you should experiment to learn what works for you.
- Coarse Grind: Ideal for French press or cold brew
- Medium Grind: Best for AeroPress, drip coffee makers, Moca Pots, and Pour Over
- Fine Grind: Suitable for espresso machines
#4 – Perfect Your Brewing Techniques
Water Temperature
Although water temperature can change the taste of your coffee, the difference between the preferred 200 degrees vs. boiling water isn’t enough to be noticed by most coffee drinkers.
Ratio of Coffee Grounds to Water
The strength of your brew affects bitterness. I’ve found that the best approach is to experiment. Your tastebuds and preferences are different than mine.
A good place to start is to stick with a fixed amount of water and adjust the weight of the beans. For instance, I use 12 ounces of water with 20 grams of whole beans. It’s amazing how the taste can change by adding or subtracting just a few beans. If this ratio doesn’t work for you, then experiment.
Brewing Method
There are dozens of brewing methods. Some are fast and some are slow. Some produce bitter coffee and other are better for non-bitter coffee. As I’ve said before the key is to experiment.
Most coffee lovers use at least two brewing methods. They like to switch things up by changing from one method to the other. If cost is an important factor to you, then there are several inexpensive single-cup options. Which, by the way, are my personal favorites. I don’t even own a $1,000+ espresso machine. Of the dozen brewing systems that I own, most cost me under $100.
For more detail on brewing methods and their pros and cons, see this LINK.
Brewing Time
Far more important than water temperature is brewing time, i.e. the amount of time that the water gets to interact with the coffee grounds. Over-brewing coffee can extract excess bitter compounds. Adjust your brewing time to your brewing method and your personal preference:
- Drip Coffee Maker: Typically takes 4-6 minutes.
- French Press: Steep for 3-4 minutes, then plunge.
- Espresso: Brew for 25-30 seconds.
Conclusion
Making non-bitter coffee is all about control-control over the beans, the grind, the brewing process, and even the additives. By following these tips and embracing experimentation, you can enjoy a smoother, more flavorful cup without the overpowering bitterness.
Whether you’re sipping solo or sharing a pot with friends, your coffee ritual deserves to be one of pure enjoyment.
Lake City Coffee Roasters
Alisha and I (Russell) started Lake City Coffee Roasters in 2015. Our goal was to produce the best tasting coffee that was also smooth as silk. Like you and our hundreds of regular customers, we don’t like bitter. That’s why we import only one bean (Costa Rican) and offer only three roasts of whole bean coffee, Dark, Medium, and White roasted.
And yes, for you decaf fans, we have some of the best Swiss Water Processed decaf coffee that you’re likely to find anywhere. Lastly, for you espresso fans, we have what you need in that department too.
God Bless,
Russell & Alisha Volz
