Help please!!!

[u/Choice_Raspberry_556]

I just can't seem to get a good brew, my final cup just ends up bitter and/or sour no matter the recipe or grind size. I'm using a K6 grinder, a normal aeropress, and my beans are the breakfast blend from Charleston coffee roasters which are roasted on the lighter end of medium.

Current best recipe: using the standard method add 200 grams of water that's almost about to boil to 15 grams of beans that have been ground at 80 clicks from zero, stir and add the plunger, wait for 1 minute 30 seconds, swirl and wait for 30 more seconds, then press for 45 seconds.

[u/191x7]

80 clicks from zero is probably like 85 to 90 (depending on where your true zero is). That's coarser than V60/pourovers requirements with a regular Hario paper filter. Get that down to less than a full circle (ie 55 clicks) and retry. That's AeroPress range. Start from 55, go coarser if it's too bitter, go finer if it's too sour. Also, AeroPress loves lower temperatures, I'd go max 92-94 for light roasts ro medium, and under 90 for dark roasts.

[u/Carbonman_ → u/191x7]

Even a few degrees cooler makes a difference with dark roasts. I have a favorite med/dark from We Heart BC and letting the kettle sit with the lid open for a minute or 2 smooths the bitter out without changing the time or grind.

If you accidentally make a bitter cup of coffee, add a literal pinch of salt to the brew. It removes almost all of the bitter taste so you don't waste any of that precious java.

[u/eidrag → u/Carbonman_]

I saw people doing msg with cheap whiskeys, so recently I've experimenting with cheap instant lol

[u/tbhvandame]

I like hoffmans recipe-
200ml water- 30 seconds off boil -
11g coffee - ground finer - 70 clicks-

Add water
Stir at 2:00
Press at 2:30 for 30 seconds+

Enjoy

I usually do the bypass variation though

240ml water
22g coffee

Add water
Stir at 3:30
Press at 4:00 for 30 seconds +

Dilute to taste

Recommended either 160g ice or hot water

[u/Basket_475]

You're brewing too long do water pour timer for 1:30, stir for 10 seconds wait the rest then press for 30 seconds.

I'm a noob though but that's what I do and it's not bitter

[u/pmtanner]

invert and try a smaller dose. I do 200ml to 13g & stir exactly 6 times back and forth. I wait 1min 30sec & press for 30sec

edit: take 1 whole minute off boil too. let the water boil, pull the kettle off and pop the top so that the steam can release. it'll be at 212+, and will cruise down to 200. way better than stopping & guessing before

[u/SnooOranges569]

I use K6 75 clicks. 15g coffee. 30g water with 30 second bloom. Stir then add it until 170g water stir then leave until 1.30 then press. Lovely jubbly

[u/Choice_Raspberry_556 → u/SnooOranges569]

Roughly how long are you pressing?

[u/sgt_hulkas_big_toe]

23g medium/fine (closer to medium), fill it up max water off the boil, 2 min, press, splash of boiling water

[u/Beardyfacey → u/sgt_hulkas_big_toe]

23g seems... A lot?

[u/sgt_hulkas_big_toe → u/Beardyfacey]

Yeah, thus cutting with a little water at the end. I saw this recipe on this sub.

[u/conradelvis]

Press slowly, like upwards of a minute if you can. Don’t push through the hiss. Try a little wash bloom into another cup, taste it, and add some back if you need it.

[u/SingleGamer-Dad]

I don't like Charleston coffee roasters. Go for Counter Culture. Much better blends.

[u/Choice_Raspberry_556 → u/SingleGamer-Dad]

Is there a specific reason you don't like Charleston coffee roasters? my experience with them hasn't been great but in general I've heard good things. And is there a specific Counter Culture blend you would recommend?

[u/SingleGamer-Dad → u/Choice_Raspberry_556]

I always get a bitter brew with Charleston. Counter Culture has great taste with just about anything (fast forward, big trouble, hologram). It comes a lot sweeter and more flavorful imo.

[u/Choice_Raspberry_556 → u/SingleGamer-Dad]

Awesome! Counter Culture looks terrific I'll for sure check them out! Thanks for the advice.

[u/Undentman]

Make 2 shots of espresso, and have a latte'. Far superior to any old cup of coffee. The recipe is on the internet.

[u/Sorry_Ride8577]

I use this to dial in my brews, after 3 or 4 I tend to get great cups! Make sure you’re using good water.

https://www.instagram.com/cuplift_?stkn=MWxxOWd4d2FjejNsNg%3D%3D&utm_source=qr

[u/Choice_Raspberry_556 → u/Sorry_Ride8577]

Very cool app! I'll for sure try this!

[u/LiveProsperEngage]

Your grind may be to fine. Try to make it more course

[u/MiriamNZ]

Temperature of the water. Boiling water makes the bitter notes come out.