Why Is My Coffee So Watery? (Solved & Explained!)

Most coffee drinkers agree that you want a strong flavour from your brew, so watery coffee can be a bit disappointing. Your coffee will usually taste too watery as a result of one or more of a few factors: the brewing time, the amount of coffee being used, the temperature of the brew, or the consistency of the grounds.

Different brewing methods also result in different types of coffee but, in each method, there are ways to ensure that your beverage is coming out just the right way every time. If you’re not a fan of the flavour that your coffee maker is delivering, you may even consider switching up the device and trying something new.

This article will go into detail about the reasons why coffee can come out stronger or more watery and common mistakes that result in a watery coffee, as well as the different brewing methods available and what sort of coffee you can expect from each one.

What is the Main Cause of Watery Coffee?

The strength of flavour in your coffee is generally a result of the amount of extraction that has taken place. Extraction is the process of pulling the soluble coffee particles into the hot water: under-extraction results in a lack of flavour and a watery coffee whereas over-extraction can make your coffee too bitter and dry.

Am I Using Too Much Water and Not Enough Coffee?

The simplest explanation for a watery coffee is that the ratio of coffee to water is not quite right, meaning the brew is not extracting enough flavour into the liquid. Different brewing methods require different quantities of coffee grounds and water so try simply increasing the amount of coffee that you are using and see what happens.

Have I Left My Coffee to Brew for Long Enough?

Another reason why your coffee may be more on the watery side is that it has not had enough time to completely extract. For any brewing method that requires steeping, like French Press or an AeroPress, you can try leaving the mixture for longer before you separate out the grounds, to allow more oils and flavour to be extracted.

Is the Water in My Brew Hot Enough?

Weaker coffee can also be a result of using water that is too cold, which can mean that the grounds will be under-extracted. Coffee should generally be brewed with water that is freshly boiled, 195-205 degrees Fahrenheit, so that it is hot enough to give it good flavour but not so hot that it becomes over-extracted and bitter.

Am I Using the Right Type of Grounds for My Coffee Maker?

The consistency of your coffee grounds is an easy thing to get wrong when you are brewing coffee at home. Most coffee makers require a specific grind size to extract properly, for example: pour over coffee works best with medium-fine grounds so that the water is steeping for the right amount of time as it passes through the filter.

What Grind Size Makes Coffee Stronger?

Usually, a finer grind consistency results in a stronger coffee, so if your coffee is coming out watery it may mean that your grounds are too coarse. This is because smaller particles have a greater surface area so they are more readily extracted into the hot water, but larger particles will take longer to achieve complete extraction.

Do Darker Roasts Make Stronger Coffee?

You might think about changing up the type of roast that you are brewing with to improve the flavour of your coffee, but don’t assume that darker means stronger. Darker roasts have more intense and bitter flavours, but lighter coffee has more of the original flavour of the beans and is actually stronger – containing more caffeine, oils and minerals.

Which Coffee Maker Creates the Strongest Brew?

The espresso is the king of richness, intensity, and flavour when it comes to coffee, and you can only get a true espresso from an espresso machine. To make this coffee so strong, it forces hot water through a small amount of very fine coffee grounds under high pressure, to get the most extraction possible.

Can I Make an Espresso Without an Espresso Machine?

To make a true espresso, an espresso machine generates around 9 bars of pressure, and no other coffee-making device can do this at home. The pressure allows a shot of espresso to contain around 10% soluble coffee to 90% water, and retains carbon dioxide to give it the signature thin layer of foamy “crema” on the top.

What Home Brewing Device Can Make Espresso-Like Coffee?

The Aerobie AeroPress is a favourite among coffee enthusiasts for its simplicity, portability, and ease of use, but also its ability to make rich coffee that is similar to an espresso. Because this handy little gadget uses pressure as well as more traditional steeping to brew your coffee, it delivers a strong, concentrated, and intense flavour.

How Do I Make a Strong AeroPress Coffee?

If you are looking for a particularly intense brew, but an espresso machine is out of your budget, you can get pretty close with an AeroPress. If you use a metal filter and a small amount of both fine espresso grounds and hot water, your coffee should come out highly concentrated and packed with flavour.

Does a French Press Make Watery Coffee?

The French Press, otherwise known as a cafetiere, is a very simple coffee maker that steeps the grounds in a jug before they are separated by a plunger. Given the right amount of grounds and enough time to steep, the French Press will bring a lot of oils into the brew, resulting in a rich, full-bodied and aromatic coffee.

Is Pour Over Coffee Supposed to be Watery?

Pour over, or drip, coffee devices allow water to percolate over the coffee grounds and drip through a filter into a decanter or mug. This method for making coffee is more likely to result in a clean and bright tasting brew, that is not as intense or concentrated, but it still shouldn’t be watery or weak.