The coffee tastes sour?
That could be the problem!

For many people, coffee is part of their daily morning ritual. Without the much-loved wake-up drink, many simply can't get going in the morning. And then this happens! The coffee tastes sour. Even after trying it again, the pleasure remains clouded. 

Why coffee can taste sour

If the coffee tastes only slightly sour, this is usually due to the amount of fruit acid in the coffee beans. However, if the sour taste predominates, this can have various causes, which we will name as follows.

1. it may also be due to the bean

Every coffee bean has a certain acidity. This naturally varies from variety to variety. Tastes also vary; there are coffee drinkers who like a certain acidity, while others are bothered by it. As a rule of thumb, you can remember that the South American bean is generally less acidic.

The best-known types of coffee are Arabica and Robustawhereby the Arabica bean has a higher acidity acidity. However, the production process also determines the acidity level.

For example, the Monsooned Malabar from Black Label Coffee, for example, is considered to be one of the world's least acidic coffees despite the use of Arabica beans due to this unique processing method. You can often tell the flavor from the packaging. A mild coffee contains less acidity and bitter substances. Generally speaking, Arabica beans are more acidic because they usually get more sun and grow at higher altitudes. Robusta beans often grow in the shade and therefore produce less natural acidity in the coffee fruit.

2. the coffee is often too acidic because the grind is set incorrectly

If the coffee beans are ground too coarsely, the coffee can taste slightly sour and watery, especially in the portafilter. Under-extraction occurs because not enough oils and aromas are released from the coffee powder.

The reason for this is the short contact time between the water and the ground beans. As a result, only natural acids are dissolved and not the bitter substances that are also required for a good balance. If the coffee tastes sour, simply adjust the grind correctly!

3. incorrect roasting of the coffee beans

In addition to the degree of grinding, the roasting of the beans is also of crucial importance. Coffee beans should be roasted carefully. The so-called hot air method, in which the beans are roasted briefly and hot, often burns the outside of the bean without breaking down the acids inside. When the black gold is brewed, the acids dissolve and the coffee tastes sour.

To prevent this, you should switch to a brand that uses the gentle drum roasting is guaranteed. If you want to roast a low-acid coffee, roast for longer with more heat. However, only very few can do this really well, as something can quickly burn. We have specialized in just such a process, so that the unmistakable aroma and mildness remain fully intact.

4. roasting the coffee too lightly

Coffee varieties and their roasting are ultimately decisive for the taste of coffee. However, tastes differ widely here. A roast that is too light can be the trigger for coffee that tastes too sour. With Arabica beans in particular, the fruit acid inside the bean cannot be completely broken down due to the high fruit content in a very light roast.

When the Arabica coffee is brewed, the fruit acids come to the fore and the coffee tastes sour. You should therefore make sure that fruity coffees are dark roasted.

5. the pH value of the brewing water is too low

Another reason for the sour coffee can be the pH value of the water used to brew the coffee. A value below 7.0 is referred to as acidic water. As a result, your beloved hot drink will naturally taste sour. The pH value of tap water in Germany is usually too high, which makes the water too hard and calcareous. A water filter can help here.

However, if the pH value is too low, the water must be regulated with mineral granules.

The easiest way to make coffee is to use a bottle of still water. Make sure that the mineral water has the ideal pH value of around 7; then you'll get the perfect mocha.

6. it is not brewed hot enough

It is obvious that the brewing temperature is of great importance. It determines the aroma nuances. Coffee tastes sour if the brewing temperature is below 85° Celsius. The range between 92° C and 96° C is optimal.

If you brew your hot drink by hand, for example in a French press or as filter coffee, you should leave the boiling water to stand for a minute first, as this ensures the optimum temperature is reached. With a fully automatic coffee machine, you can usually set the temperature yourself.

7. the wrong amount of coffee powder

As you can see, there are many possible reasons why your wake-up drink can taste sour. If you know the causes, you can easily take action. If the black gold in your fully automatic machine tastes sour, you should check and change the settings. In most cases, the temperature is set too low, which makes the coffee too sour.

You should also pay attention to cleanliness, despite the integrated cleaning programs. Unfortunately, not everything is completely cleaned, so regular manual cleaning is essential. As already mentioned above, you should also set the grind of your fully automatic machine correctly.

Checklist for a full-bodied, low-acid cup of coffee

So far, we have described in detail what can cause your coffee to taste sour and what you can do about it. But there are other factors that are important for a really good coffee are important.

In this article, we have shown you what can trigger a sour taste in coffee. The roast, the bean, the brewing water, the brewing temperature and the preparation method - everything has to be right for perfect coffee enjoyment. Does your coffee taste sour and you now know the cause? Then you can now quickly solve the problem. The best thing to do is to use a low-acid top-quality coffee then this won't happen in the first place.