- The aroma. If it smells great then it should be great. If you are not getting a strong scent then the possibility exists that the coffee is stale. If you are getting a scorched burnt odor then it’s either been perking for too long or it’s been sitting for a great deal of time.
- The looks. This can be somewhat difficult to classify. Some individuals think that if it isn’t pitch black then its not good coffee. On the other hand, burnt coffee goes quite dark. It will really depend on the roast itself. This will determine if it is light, medium or dark. Then if not enough coffee was added in comparison to the water you are going to get a weak looking product. The color should not only be rich looking but it should look like there is some body to it.
- Finally the taste. To begin with, it should not taste bitter. Depending on the roast you chose will determine the strength of it. There should not be any unpleasant after taste. Remember what you add to the coffee as well dictates the taste, such as milk, cream or sugar. Some artificial sweeteners can create a bitter after taste and the blend of coffee is blamed for it.
So what can go wrong?
If you are in search for that great coffee but can never seem to find it then there are a few things you can review and see if they apply to you.
- Are you choosing the proper roast that is applicable to your taste? If you enjoy a lighter, bodied coffee and you are picking a dark roast that may be the problem.
- Coffee comes from many different parts of the world. You may just not have found the one that has the best characteristics for you. Don’t just go on the premise that because it’s expensive it must be great coffee.
- The freshness of the roast is critically important. If you have purchased roasted coffee that has been sitting on a shelf in the store for several months, then don’t expect a good cup of coffee from it. Its goes stale very quickly after roasting. This is even more so true if it has not been packaged properly to seal in the freshness.
- Assuming that you have found the right roast from the right country and it’s good and fresh what else could be the problem? It could very well be the way you are making it. It may be an inferior or unclean brewer. It may be the water you are using is not of good quality. You may have the wrong type grind for the way you are brewing it. Cover all these areas and you are in for some great coffee.
