What to Do if the Shot Tastes Bitter

If your shot tastes hollow through the middle and bitter or dry at the end, it's likely over-extracted—meaning the water spent too long in contact with the coffee. This often happens when the shot runs too slowly. To avoid this...

Adjust your Grind Setting Coarser

Try making your grind slightly coarser to speed up the flow. 

Make Sure You're Distributing Evenly to Avoid Channeling

Before you tamp, aim for a flat, even bed of coffee with no mounds, low spots, or gaps. If the surface is uneven, water will take the path of least resistance through the low areas, causing channeling and uneven extraction - often showing up as a harsher, more bitter finish. 

Using a WDT tooland a guided tamper can help make this part of the preparation process easier and more repeatable. 

Make Sure You're Using the Appropriate Profile for Your Roast Level

Different roast levels have ideal brewing parameters. Series 1 includes Shot Profiles specifically tailored for light, medium, and dark roast coffees. Selecting the right profile for your roast is the simplest way to ensure you're on the right track to dialing in your specific coffee. You can switch profiles in the app or on the machine by going to the profile and selecting "Make active". 

Need More Help? 

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