Troubleshooting
Why Does My Coffee Taste Bitter?
Over-extraction, and the three dials that fix it
By Coffee In Cup Editorial TeamPublished 15 January 2026Updated 6 February 20265 min read
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Bitterness is the taste of over-extraction: the water kept dissolving after the good flavours were gone.
Most likely causes
Work down this list in order.
- Grind is too fine for the method
- Brew time is too long
- Water is too hot
- Equipment is coated in stale oils
- The roast is simply very dark
What to change first
Grind one step coarser and brew again. It is the quickest and most reliable fix.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does dark roast always taste bitter?+
No, but it has less margin for error. Brew cooler and slightly coarser.
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