How to Make Coffee Taste Better – 8 Easy Ideas

This post may contain affiliate links. If you purchase through links on our site, we may earn a commission.

Wondering how to make coffee taste better at home? We have 8 easy ideas, tips, and tricks to make your homemade latte taste better than a coffee shop!

Taking a sip of fresh coffee in the morning is one of life’s greatest pleasures. Whether you take yours black, light and sweet, or with a splash of cream or almond milk, coffee has something for everyone. It can, however, be pretty tricky to make cafe-quality coffee and you might be wondering how to make coffee taste better at home.

If you’re ready to take your home brewed coffee to the next level, here are some easy tips and tricks to ensure your morning cup of joe is just as delicious as a professional barista’s at your local coffee shop.

How to Make Coffee Taste Better at Home

Coffee experts are the only ones who can make great coffee! The perfect cup of coffee at home is possible, you may just need to try some different ways to adjust some of the things you’re doing in the coffee-making process to make better-tasting coffee.

Try any or all of these simple steps to tweaking your coffee game until you find the sweet spot that produces the perfect coffee flavor for you. 

Start with fresh, whole beans 

There is no substitute for freshly ground coffee when it comes to making a great cup of coffee. If you’re buying pre-ground coffee, you won’t get the same intense flavor you get from fresh coffee beans.

Invest in a burr grinder to get the freshest flavor every time by buying whole bean coffee at the grocery store and grinding your own beans at home. Then you can start playing around with changing the flavor of your coffee with a coarser grind or finer grind. 

Use clean, cold filtered water 

Coffee is 99% H2O, so it’s important to start with as clean a base as you can. There’s a huge difference between unfiltered tap water and chemically treated water from a water filtration system.

Along with fresh water, water temperature is also important! You should always start with cold water for better coffee.

Experiment with ratios

Make sure you don’t forget the golden ratio! The best coffee-to-water ratio for most people is two tablespoons of coffee for every six ounces of water. But don’t be afraid to give that ratio a little tweak and see if it works for your palate. 

Try using different brew methods

Sometimes the brewing method is the problem. If you’re using a regular drip coffee maker or other type of coffee machine, you might need to take it to a different level.

If you’re looking for a richer, bolder cup of coffee then you should try the French Press brew method. Make sure that you grind the beans a little coarser and use a little less water to get the most out of this method.

Manual brew methods like the Chemex or the AeroPress can add complexity and nuance to your daily cup.

Play with your brew temperature

Most home brewing methods won’t give you a very consistent temperature, but you can try alternating temperatures to see which produces the best flavor in your cup. A slightly hotter brew can bring out a richer body, while a cooler brew can bring out more acidity. 

Add a sweetener

The simplest way to improve the taste of your coffee is to add a teaspoon of sugar or honey. This can make a huge difference for those of us who can’t stand the bitterness of black coffee. But remember, a little goes a long way. 

Try different types of milk

Heavy cream or half and half can make a rich and creamy cup of coffee. If you’re not a fan of regular dairy milk, there are plenty of alternatives out there. Try almond milk or coconut milk for a creamy, slightly sweet cup.

Try different roasts

Maybe the flavor of your coffee beans isn’t quite right. If you are struggling with bitter flavors, you may need a different roast. You have a choice between light, medium, and dark roasts.

So if you have only tried one roast, you may want to explore the others until you find the type of coffee that suits your taste buds. Darker roasts will have a richer flavor, but can also get quite bitter if they are brewed too long or too strong. 

Making coffee at home can be simple and enjoyable, and with these few tips, you can significantly improve the taste of your home coffee. With a little effort, you can make coffee at home taste better than coffee shop drinks!