How to Get Bitter Taste Out of Perked Coffee

Brew a cup of delicious coffee without a bitter taste.

A good cup of coffee is one of life's simple pleasures. Most people enjoy coffee with a strong, smooth flavor, without a bitter taste. Making it in a percolator can cause coffee to become bitter, due to the repeated exposure to boiling temperatures. Drip coffee makers are less likely to produce bitter flavor, but there are steps you can take to reduce the bitter taste from your perked coffee. Does this Spark an idea?

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Dish detergent
Water
Pipe cleaner
Coffee beans
Grinder (optional)
Purified water
Insulated carafe (optional)

Instructions

- 1
  
  Disassemble and clean your coffee percolator every time you use it. Wash it thoroughly with hot water and dish detergent. You can clean the inside of the stem with a pipe cleaner.
- 2
  
  Purchase good quality coffee beans. A medium roast produces coffee that is less bitter than dark roasted beans.
- 3
  
  Grind your own coffee beans, or purchase beans that are freshly ground. The fresher the grind, the less bitter the coffee. A coarse grind also reduces bitterness.
- 4
  
  Use purified or distilled water. Tap water can contain a variety of chemicals and additives that will affect the taste of your coffee.
- 5
  
  Turn off the heat as soon as the coffee is done. Overcooking coffee results in a bitter, unpleasant taste. Remove the filter stem and basket with used grounds from the pot, or pour the coffee into an insulated carafe to keep it warm.
- 6
  
  Drink coffee right after brewing it. Letting coffee sit for long lengths of time creates a strong, bitter taste.