Coffee brewing is both an art and a science, but even the most passionate coffee drinkers can fall into habits that compromise the final cup. Whether you’re using a French press, pour-over, or espresso machine, small missteps in the brewing process can lead to underwhelming flavors.
So, what are the most common mistakes that could be holding your coffee back? We’ll break it down into four key areas: the freshness of your coffee, the precision of your brew method, the importance of weighing your beans, and the quality of your water.
FRESHNESS MATTERS
The journey to a great cup starts long before the brewing process—it begins with your beans. Many coffee drinkers unknowingly use stale or improperly stored coffee, which results in dull, lifeless flavors. Coffee beans begin losing their freshness just weeks after roasting. In addition, pre-grinding coffee accelerates this decline. Investing in freshly roasted whole beans and grinding just before brewing preserves the rich aromatics and complexity that makes coffee stand out.
PRECISION IN BREWING: FINDING THE RIGHT BALANCE
The next challenge? Grind size, water temperature, and brew ratios. These factors can make or break your cup. Using the wrong grind size can lead to over-extraction (bitter coffee) or under-extraction (sour, weak coffee). Similarly, brewing with water that’s too hot can scorch the grounds, while water that’s too cool won’t extract enough flavor. The ideal water temperature? Between 195°F and 205°F. And maintaining a balanced coffee-to-water ratio—about 1 gram of coffee to 16 grams of water—ensures consistency and optimal extraction.
WEIGHING YOUR BEANS: THE KEY TO CONSISTENCY
One of the most overlooked steps in home brewing is measuring coffee by weight rather than volume. Scooping coffee or using rough estimates can lead to inconsistent results, as different beans have different densities. Weighing your coffee with a digital scale ensures accuracy and repeatability—helping you fine-tune your recipe for the perfect balance of strength and flavor. A good starting point? Use 15-18 grams of coffee per 250 grams (about 8 oz) of water.
Tip - for those who don’t want to add weighing to their daily process, you can always weigh periodically to ensure you really know what ratio you are using. Our experience overall, is that most people use too much coffee, so that simple task could actually save you money, as well as vastly improve your morning cup.
WATER QUALITY: THE OVERLOOKED INGREDIENT
Most of a cup of coffee is water, yet many home brewers overlook its impact. Tap water with high mineral content or chlorine can introduce off-flavors, masking the delicate notes of specialty coffee. Using filtered or spring water provides a cleaner canvas for your brew, allowing the true character of the coffee to shine.
For more information, see our blog post Water and Coffee—What You Need To Know
By focusing on fresh beans, precise brewing techniques, proper weighing, and high-quality water, you can easily elevate your home coffee experience.
Small adjustments make a big difference—making every sip worth savoring.