Why does coffee taste like perfume? (What makes coffee taste perfume? + More information)

Have you ever had coffee that has a strange perfume taste? You probably got worried and wondered where the perfume taste came from. So, why does coffee sometimes taste like perfume? Read on to find out.

I love coffee that has a rich taste. Any unpleasant or unusual taste is usually a sign of alarm for me, even if the issue is not as major as I think. This is because we had an ordeal with unpleasant coffee while living with my brother. He cleaned his espresso machine, but apparently, he forgot to rinse it out with excess water to wash off all the residues. The result was a cup of coffee with a funny perfume taste which ended up giving him a stomach upset. Therefore, it is critical to look out for unusual tastes in coffee. Read on for more reasons why your coffee is tasting perfume and what to do.

What makes coffee taste like perfume?

Several reasons can make your coffee have a perfume taste. One of the most common reasons is if the coffee you use is over-extracted. Brewing coffee for too long makes your coffee over-extracted; hence many compounds are extracted from your coffee. The result is an astringent or sometimes slightly bitter taste that might resemble that of a perfume.

Another reason your coffee tastes like perfume is if you are using flavored coffee. Flavored coffee is usually made with artificial chemicals, and some might have perfume or a flower taste. Furthermore, your coffee might taste perfume if it is of poor quality. Poor quality beans are usually not roasted well or with chemicals making them have a perfume taste.

Contamination is also a key reason that might lead to your coffee having a perfume taste. Suppose your coffee maker or espresso machine is not properly cleaned. In that case, your coffee can get contaminated with either cleaning agents or oil, leaving it with an unpleasant perfume taste.

What should I do when my coffee tastes like perfume?

As mentioned above, several reasons could lead to your coffee tasting like perfume. Therefore, to sort it out, you must examine and discover the leading cause of the taste. You might first want to look at your espresso machine or coffee maker. To ensure your brewing machine is not the issue, always brew water for several rounds after washing your machine for all the residues of the detergents and chemicals you have used to wash away. This ensures your coffee has its original taste after brewing.

Another thing that you should do is adjust your brewing method. As stated earlier, over-extraction might lead to your coffee having a perfume taste. Therefore, ensure you are using the correct method, time, and pressure to brew your coffee.

If the above two do not fix anything, you can now focus on the quality of your coffee beans. To get the most out of coffee, always consider buying high-quality organic coffee beans as they tend to have a superior coffee taste and are made with less or no chemicals. Lastly, you can use a paper filter while brewing your coffee to help remove any unwanted flavor; hence your drink retains its original taste.

FAQ Section

Do I need a new coffee maker when my coffee starts tasting like perfume?

No, most of the time, bad coffee taste is not a result of a faulty coffee maker. First, establish the cause of the perfume taste before rushing to replace your coffee maker.

Is coffee that tastes like perfume bad for you?

It depends on the source of the perfume taste. Drinking coffee with a perfume taste once might not affect your health, but if its source is from the cleaning agents of your espresso, this might gradually harm you.

Should I drink coffee that tastes like perfume?

If you have bought flavored coffee, you can drink it as some flavors have a perfume taste. However, if the cause is detergents from a coffee maker that has not been cleaned well, you should not consume such coffee as it might harm your health.