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Can't get right coffee flavour

  • 12-07-2014 9:00am
    #1
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 7,821 ✭✭✭


    Recently bought a coffee machine; you know the jug type where you pour spoons of ground coffee into the filter, fill the reservoir up with water and it starts brewing and the coffee goes into the jug?

    (Sorry for explaining it; I'm actually newish to coffee machines).

    I can't get the taste right. It smells like a coffee shop, which is great, but that flavour's not coming through.
    I bought Bewley's Gold Roast.

    How many spoons do you use for your machine?
    I take my coffee with a little milk and a tiny bit of sugar.

    PS There's a circle thing on my Bewley's coffee bag which, when you peel the sticker off it, there's tiny little holes and you can smell the coffee.
    What is this circle thing?!


Comments

  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 1,560 ✭✭✭Prenderb


    Depends on how big your spoon is! If the flavour isn't there, try increasing the amount of coffee you use.

    Sounds like a drip machine - I use one good scoop per cup in mine and find it tends to work ok.

    If you've been using a teaspoon, then you'll need maybe 3-4 teaspoons of coffee. It's not like instant (on the offchance that's your previous experience) - not as concentrated at all. If you have measuring spoons or a coffee scoop, try a tablespoon's worth and see how you go.


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 7,821 ✭✭✭fussyonion


    Prenderb wrote: »
    Depends on how big your spoon is! If the flavour isn't there, try increasing the amount of coffee you use.

    Sounds like a drip machine - I use one good scoop per cup in mine and find it tends to work ok.

    If you've been using a teaspoon, then you'll need maybe 3-4 teaspoons of coffee. It's not like instant (on the offchance that's your previous experience) - not as concentrated at all. If you have measuring spoons or a coffee scoop, try a tablespoon's worth and see how you go.

    Hey, thanks for replying.

    I filled the jug with water up to the level marked "6" which I assume means 6 cups, but they must mean small teacups because there definitely wouldn't be enough to fill 6 mugs.
    Filling it to "6" got me three small coffee cups-worth.

    I used two and a half heaped tablespoons and my partner, who drinks coffee black, said it was definitely strong enough but that there was no actual "coffee" flavour; just dark and bitter.

    Maybe I should try a different brand or something.
    It does smell lovely when it's brewing though.


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 8,799 ✭✭✭MiskyBoyy


    fussyonion wrote: »
    Recently bought a coffee machine; you know the jug type where you pour spoons of ground coffee into the filter, fill the reservoir up with water and it starts brewing and the coffee goes into the jug?

    (Sorry for explaining it; I'm actually newish to coffee machines).


    PS There's a circle thing on my Bewley's coffee bag which, when you peel the sticker off it, there's tiny little holes and you can smell the coffee.
    What is this circle thing?!

    That's just all it is. It's so people can smell the coffee in the supermarket to help them decide which to buy.


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 7,821 ✭✭✭fussyonion


    MiskyBoyy wrote: »
    That's just all it is. It's so people can smell the coffee in the supermarket to help them decide which to buy.

    Ooh really, I didn't know that!
    I thought it was something got to do with opening the bag.
    Clever idea!


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 80 ✭✭MiloDublin


    Try using bottled water instead of tap. Evian for example is a hard water and contains more minerals than tap which improves the taste of the coffee.


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  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 1,560 ✭✭✭Prenderb


    fussyonion wrote: »
    Hey, thanks for replying.

    I filled the jug with water up to the level marked "6" which I assume means 6 cups, but they must mean small teacups because there definitely wouldn't be enough to fill 6 mugs.
    Filling it to "6" got me three small coffee cups-worth.

    I used two and a half heaped tablespoons and my partner, who drinks coffee black, said it was definitely strong enough but that there was no actual "coffee" flavour; just dark and bitter.

    Maybe I should try a different brand or something.
    It does smell lovely when it's brewing though.

    How old, if at all, is the coffee? It loses it's "punch" after a little while, so if it's been in the cupboard for a while or even worse, open for a couple of weeks, that might explain it.


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 7,821 ✭✭✭fussyonion


    Prenderb wrote: »
    How old, if at all, is the coffee? It loses it's "punch" after a little while, so if it's been in the cupboard for a while or even worse, open for a couple of weeks, that might explain it.

    Oh no I only bought it yesterday :)


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 1,560 ✭✭✭Prenderb


    fussyonion wrote: »
    Oh no I only bought it yesterday :)

    Then try bigger spoons! :)

    Then try different coffee.


  • Closed Accounts Posts: 11,812 ✭✭✭✭evolving_doors


    Prenderb wrote: »
    Then try bigger spoons! :)

    Then try different coffee.

    Throw spoon away and heap it in, then use more sugar...

    Another tip if you are suffering from bitter coffee is to get a little container of vanilla sugar (usually around baking section of supermarket), gives it a nice lift.


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 162 ✭✭djerk


    id suggest trying an italian coffee such as lavazza or illy and store in a glass jar with a lid in the fridge to keep fresh.


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  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 7,821 ✭✭✭fussyonion


    Thanks a lot for your replies everyone!

    I love the idea of vanilla sugar, I'll get some in my next shop.
    I'll also look out for Illy; I have heard of that.

    I'm a big tea drinker but because of my new coffee machine, I'm eager to try "real" coffee, as opposed to the jarred stuff (which is fine). I guess it'll be trial and error too as to what coffee I like, so I'll try some different ones!

    Thanks again :)


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 2,807 ✭✭✭Custardpi


    Tesco's own brand ground coffee is surprisingly good for the price, particularly the Italian blend. Personally I wouldn't be a huge fan of those coffee machines in terms of taste. I much prefer the flavour from using a cafetière (jug with plunger), makes a much stronger cup, though I guess that's not to everyone's liking.


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 737 ✭✭✭Jezek


    Get a scale and use 60 grams of grounds to 1000 grams of water. Try a good, freshly roasted coffee such as coffeemojo (order online) or go into a good shop such as coffeeangel or 3fe in dublin. Anything in a supermarket is stale. for best results grind coffee fresh with a good grinder (not a whirly blade one).


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 8,799 ✭✭✭MiskyBoyy


    djerk wrote: »
    id suggest trying an italian coffee such as lavazza or illy and store in a glass jar with a lid in the fridge to keep fresh.

    There's some things you should never refridgerate and coffee is one of them!

    "In its ground or bean form, coffee should never be stored within the realms of your fridge. The trouble with coffee is that’s practically a sponge with smells around it, so if placed in the fridge, the coffee will begin to absorb any smell that’s in your fridge and the whole batch will never go back to it’s original arabica flavor.

    Another problem is that with the instant change of temperature, moisture begins to come off the coffee, which basically de-saturates the flavor right out of the bean."

    First part, I know you said it's in a jar but second part applies. I'd just keep it in the bag it came in and use a storage clip on top to keep it fresh. Although, I prefer to freshly grind coffee beans myself.


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 217 ✭✭James_R


    Jezek wrote: »
    Get a scale and use 60 grams of grounds to 1000 grams of water. Try a good, freshly roasted coffee such as coffeemojo (order online) or go into a good shop such as coffeeangel or 3fe in dublin. Anything in a supermarket is stale. for best results grind coffee fresh with a good grinder (not a whirly blade one).

    What he said^


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 162 ✭✭djerk


    never had a problem with this method myself! coffee remains fresh and dry, with no apparent moisture loss. bare in mind most ground coffee has been freeze-dried anyway.
    MiskyBoyy wrote: »
    There's some things you should never refridgerate and coffee is one of them!

    "In its ground or bean form, coffee should never be stored within the realms of your fridge. The trouble with coffee is that’s practically a sponge with smells around it, so if placed in the fridge, the coffee will begin to absorb any smell that’s in your fridge and the whole batch will never go back to it’s original arabica flavor.

    Another problem is that with the instant change of temperature, moisture begins to come off the coffee, which basically de-saturates the flavor right out of the bean."

    First part, I know you said it's in a jar but second part applies. I'd just keep it in the bag it came in and use a storage clip on top to keep it fresh. Although, I prefer to freshly grind coffee beans myself.


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 8,799 ✭✭✭MiskyBoyy


    djerk wrote:
    never had a problem with this method myself! coffee remains fresh and dry, with no apparent moisture loss. bare in mind most ground coffee has been freeze-dried anyway.


    Freeze dried ground coffee? I only know of instant coffee being freeze dried?


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 162 ✭✭djerk


    oh ye youre right, wasnt thinking :)


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 13,814 ✭✭✭✭JPA


    MiskyBoyy wrote: »
    That's just all it is. It's so people can smell the coffee in the supermarket to help them decide which to buy.

    Those holes are a one way valve to release co2 build up.


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 8,799 ✭✭✭MiskyBoyy


    JPA wrote: »
    Those holes are a one way valve to release co2 build up.

    I knew they served another purpose :pac:


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  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 12,089 ✭✭✭✭P. Breathnach


    OP, I have three suggestions, two of which have already been made:
    • Increase the amount of coffee you use.
    • Try different brands. Tastes differ, so you might not have hit on a coffee that suits you. In general, Arabica coffee is more highly regarded, so look for that word on the packaging. Look also at the strength indicator on the packet. Most coffees (that I have noticed) are rated 3, 4, or 5. The higher the number, the greater the strength.
    • Give each coffee that you buy a proper chance. I think there is an element of your palate adapting to a coffee. I recently bought a brand I hadn't tried before: my first impression was that I didn't like it much; several cups later, and I rated it as being okay.


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 2,800 ✭✭✭Lingua Franca


    Fill up to the 6 line with water, add six level scoops.


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 4,779 ✭✭✭Day Lewin


    Use a measuring spoon and measuring jug: try about 40 ml of coffee grounds with about 250 ml of water.
    This will certainly give a tasty result with most brewing methods.
    Adjust for stronger/weaker preferences by using just a little less grounds, or a suspicion more water

    BUT the best coffee is made strong!

    Weighing the grounds would give a more accurate result, I know: but many people do not have very fine weighing-scales for very small quantities in their houses; the quantities I recommend are based on a coffee scoop (but you will soon discover that coffee scoops are not all made equal, far from it, so...)


  • Closed Accounts Posts: 26,658 ✭✭✭✭OldMrBrennan83


    This post has been deleted.


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 2,800 ✭✭✭Lingua Franca


    Did the coffee machine not come with a scoop and a set of instructions? Try following those and then adjust for taste from there.


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