Why Does My Coffee Taste Metallic (what makes coffee taste metallic + more information)?

Recently, you haven’t enjoyed your daily cup of well-brewed coffee, as there’s a funny taste that you can’t explain. You have probably wondered, “Why does my coffee taste metallic?” Read on to find out.

I am a coffee junky, so I must have my cup every morning before I leave my house and before I go to bed. However, I was devastated when I discovered I could no longer enjoy a cup because of the metallic taste I kept getting. After thorough research, I now know why. Many people spend so much money buying coffee from shops because they can’t understand the sudden unpleasant taste of their coffee. My article will reveal the cause and solution to most coffee lovers’ problems. Keep reading!

What causes coffee to taste metallic?

There are several reasons why your coffee starts to taste metallic.

Hard water that has high mineral content

Water used to brew your coffee is very important. The first time I got a metallic taste in my coffee was just after I had moved into a different house. I did not understand what had changed, but I suspected the water was different. So I replaced the water I use with bottled water, and there was a difference. The taste returned to normal. Hard water has high levels of minerals, and this affects the taste of your coffee.

Chloride in Water

Some communities have their water treated by their governments by using chloride. Although this is good and assists in the water treatment process, it can affect the taste of your coffee. A combination of coffee and chlorinated water can lead to a metallic taste.

Incorrect Coffee Extraction

Extraction refers to the grinding of the coffee. The coffee grinder might sometimes make it too fine or too coarse. When the grinder’s metal blades come too close to each other, the coffee is ground too finely. However, in the process, the metals also heat up, which results in a metallic taste of your coffee. This is over-extraction.

On the other hand, under-extraction involves grinding and extracting the coffee too quickly. This takes away its flavor and causes sour acidity. The water will become very watery and tastes metallic.

Poorly Roasted Coffee

Most coffee lovers agree that good coffee is that which is nicely dark. So many companies try roasting all their coffee until it is dark brown. Unfortunately, these companies apply the same roasting techniques to all their coffee beans, so you find that they are roasted for so long until they are extra dark. The problem starts when you roast your coffee past the second crack, so it turns extra dark. This extra roasting develops other compounds that give it a metallic taste.

Low-Quality Coffee Beans

Some countries and even firms have a process for grading their coffee. They separate high quality from low quality. However, when you realize your coffee has a metallic taste, a mistake probably occurred, and the coffee was mixed during packaging.

Type of Coffee Maker

Some coffee makers are made out of aluminum and hence leach metals into your coffee while brewing. Additionally, other actions by your coffee maker may increase the chances of metal leaching into your coffee. These processes include:

• Washing your coffee maker in the dishwasher
• Scrubbing your coffee maker and scratching the aluminum
• Cleaning your machine with baking soda to remove the spots and stains

Dirty or Overheated Coffee Maker

Sometimes the problem is so manageable. A dirty or descaled coffee maker can also lead to unwanted flavors in your beverage. Coffee grinds that stay in your machine for a long eventually oxidize and break down. So when you grind a new batch, the old remains will mix with the new coffee and produce a metallic taste.

Additionally, you could be using your coffee machine very often. As much as this is not a problem, the electric fuses might get overheated because your grinder’s motor quickly overheats. This will give you a burnt-out or metallic-quality coffee.

Lastly, another reason could be that your machine is brand new. You may have noticed that new machines that haven’t been cleaned yet have a chemical smell. So when you grind your coffee, it tastes of metal.

What should you do if your coffee tastes metallic?

Luckily, there are ways to do away with the metallic taste in your coffee and enjoy your drink like you always have. Always identify where the issue could arise to come up with a definite solution.

• Switch your water to soft, distilled, or bottled water. You could also boil your water first before brewing your coffee.
• Rinse your coffee machine, then wipe it down gently instead of using harsh methods to clean it up.
• Regularly clean your coffee maker by using distilled water and vinegar. This you can do once every month.
• Ensure you maintain an ideal coffee brewing ratio, so you don’t over-extract or under-extract your coffee.
• Try changing your coffee supplier or where you buy your coffee beans to a newer location.
• You could also replace your coffee maker with a favorable one

FAQ Section

Will the metallic taste in my coffee make it go bad?

No, the coffee won’t go bad because of the metallic taste. It is still drinkable but just tastes metallic.

Can stale coffee make it taste metallic?

Yes, sometimes your coffee may be old or stale, which may lead to that metallic taste when you drink it.

Is the metallic taste in coffee bad for you?

Well, you truly won’t enjoy your coffee, but the taste is harmless. However, some reasons for the coffee’s metallic taste are due to uncleanliness, which is not good to have.

Can adding sweeteners to coffee reduce the metallic taste?

Adding sweeteners to your coffee is a good idea. Still, the metallic taste won’t go away, so this won’t be a permanent solution. At the same time, the metallic taste is still strong, so you will still taste it.