Why does my coffee taste like dirt (what makes coffee taste dirt + more information)?

You’re craving a hot cup of coffee but dread fixing yourself one. Each time you do, your coffee has a weird taste that makes you wonder, why does my coffee taste dirt? Read on to learn more.

The main reason coffee tastes like dirt is because your equipment could be dirty, so the stale dirty flavors seep into your drink, causing the filthy taste. I bought my parents a coffee machine because they have been fanatics since I was two! Unfortunately, when I visited them last year, I could not help but wonder why their coffee tasted dirt. So I researched and was stunned at how many people are looking for this answer. By the end of this article, we will have a solution to this problem.

What makes coffee taste like dirt?

Your coffee tastes dirt due to various reasons mentioned below.

Dirty equipment

Think of it this way; if you use the same knife you used to apply jam to your bread to cut a mango, what taste will you get? The same thing will happen to your coffee. If you let limescale and other stale flavors build up in your coffee maker, the dirt flavor will seep into your drink.

Tap water is dirty

Particles in your water can be dirty and lead to a bad taste in your coffee. Poor quality in water impacts the taste of your drinks and meals, including your coffee, so always be keen.

Stale beans

Coffee also goes stale. Let’s not forget that exposing it to heat, air, moisture, or light speeds up the process. When this happens, the quality of the beans deteriorates, and the taste also changes. This is why you will find that a stash of coffee that lasts a long time will taste dirt when you brew it.

Mold

Can you spot any mold in your coffee? It could be a result of exposure to moisture. Sometimes it also gets moldy because it was packed poorly, letting moisture in. When this happens, your coffee will have a dirty, unpalatable, unpleasant taste.

Earthy taste

Alternatively, some coffee beans have an earthy taste. It is how they are, and there is nothing much you can do about it. You might even try replacing it with another similar one, but the taste remains.

What should I do when my coffee tastes like dirt?

There are solutions to these problems, and they include:

• Descaling your coffee machine often and ensuring you clean all equipment
• Filtering the water used to brew coffee
• Replace your coffee if they stay on the shelf for too long, untouched, or if you notice that it has mold in it.
• Try another type if the current coffee beans have an earthy taste that never goes away.

Final Thoughts

Your coffee will taste dirt when you either forget to clean your machine for so long or if you expose your coffee beans to moisture. It can also taste bad if you don’t replace your coffee beans when you leave them for too long. Luckily, there is always a solution mentioned in this article.

FAQ Section

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

Not really. Before doing away with your coffee maker, check if the problem is manageable. It could be that the machine is dirty and needs to be cleaned.

Is coffee that tastes like dirt bad for you?

Yes, it is, health-wise and enjoyment-wise. You cannot have an easy time having a drink that tastes of dirt. Who would?

Should I drink coffee that tastes like dirt?

It is not advisable to do so. Just identify what the problem could be and fix it.