A simple change to how water is poured over coffee grounds can make the drink taste sweeter and less bitter without adding any sugar, according to Food and Wine.
The publication reports that the type of bean and grind size are not the only factors that shape coffee's flavor. Even a small adjustment to the amount of water used and the brewing technique can noticeably change the taste, particularly with coffee made using the pour-over method.
Coffee expert Heidi Rasmussen recommends paying attention to exactly where the stream of water lands. According to her observations, pouring water mainly into the center of the coffee grounds produces a drink that is sweeter and less bitter. She said this method wets the grounds more evenly, which helps extract more sugars and aromatic compounds.
How to try the method
For the experiment, Rasmussen suggests using 25 grams of medium-ground coffee and about 500 grams of water, heated to between 90 and 93 degrees Celsius. Brewers should first slowly saturate the grounds with 40 to 50 milliliters of water and let it sit for about 30 to 40 seconds.
After that, water should be poured in small circular motions, focused on the center of the filter, keeping a steady water level and avoiding strong turbulence. The total brew time should be about three and a half minutes.
Pouring some water around the edges of the filter is not necessarily something to avoid entirely, Rasmussen noted. That approach can reduce the risk of channeling, where water passes through the coffee unevenly. For this method, she advises using a flat-bottomed filter.
Other ways to soften the flavor
Water temperature should stay roughly within the 90 to 93 degree Celsius range, since water that is too hot draws out unwanted bitter compounds more quickly. A higher ratio of water to coffee and a shorter brewing time can also reduce bitterness.
The beans themselves matter too. Coffee that has aged becomes more bitter over time, and darker roasts emphasize bitterness more strongly. Medium roast coffee may be the best choice for a balanced flavor, though taste perception remains personal: what tastes pleasantly sweet to one person may seem underwhelming to another.
