Bitter, sour, or a little flat?

Taste first

Cool the cup a little. Sharp sourness, dry bitterness, and weak coffee are different problems. Your beans’ natural flavor matters too.

Try one change

• Sharply sour and thin: a slightly finer grind.
• Bitter and drying: a slightly coarser grind or a shorter steep.
• Weak but balanced: a little more coffee for the same water.
• Stale or muddled: clean the brewer and try fresher beans.
• Lost in milk: try a stronger recipe before changing beans.

Keep a tiny record

Note the coffee weight, water weight, grind setting, and one taste word. Change only one variable on the next brew so you know what helped.