Bitterness

Bitterness is a primary flavor sensation, perhaps a twinge or aftertaste, primarily detected/perceived on the soft-palate toward the back of the mouth, and characterized by a solution of quinine and caffeine as well as other alkaloids.

Bitterness – One of the Four Basic Tastes Known to Humans

Bitterness is one of the four basic tastes – sour (tartaric acid), sweet (sucrose), salty (sodium chloride), and bitter (quinine) – detected at the back of the mouth.

Bitterness is desirable in a coffee to some degree, particularly in a dark roast or espresso. In general, Robusta (Coffea canephora var. robusta) coffee beans are more bitter than Arabica Coffee beans.

Buy the Best Coffee Beans In the World and Great Brewing Equipment

Our Coffee Beans are Roasted To Order and Shipped Quickly – The Best!

Asian, Indonesian & Pacific Coffees - Arabian and African Coffees - Coffees of the Americas

Sumatra Mandheling Coffee - Java Arabica Coffee - Indonesia Sulawesi Coffee

Ethiopian Yirgacheffe Coffee - Decaf Ethiopian Coffee - India Monsooned Malabar Coffee

Organic and Fair Trade Coffees - Green Coffee Beans

The Desirability of Bitterness in Premium Gourmet Coffee

A well-balanced bitterness in a coffee may add to the fullness of its flavor, creating a desirable taste sensation. In darker roasts, the quality of bitterness adds to the fullness of the coffee.

Though bitterness is desirable up to a certain level, too much bitterness creates an unpleasant taste, especially if it is caused by over-extraction during the brewing process or from using too fine of a grind, or making too small of an amount of coffee.

Bitterness vs. Acidity and the Six Basic Flavor Characteristics of Coffee

A coffee’s quality of bitterness should not be confused with acidity, which is also one of the six basic taste characteristics of coffee along with body, aroma, sweetness, and aftertaste.

To prepare fine gourmet coffee drinks check out our Espresso Drink Recipes as well as Pulling A Perfect Espresso Shot and the Barista Guide to Perfect Lattes and Cappuccinos.

You can also explore the world’s top Gourmet Coffees and learn about coffee’s past in the World’s Best History of Coffee.

Coffee tasting terms and more coffee and espresso information can also be found in the Espresso Coffee Guide’s Coffee and Espresso Glossary.

Specialty Coffee Beans from the World’s Most Exotic Coffee-Growing Regions

Premium Coffee Beans and the Best Coffee and Espresso Brewing Equipment

Kenya AA Coffee – Decaf Kenya Coffee – Tanzania Peaberry Coffee – Organic Fair Trade Sumatra Coffee

Coffee Equipment – Espresso Products – Espresso Brewing Equipment

Guatemala Antigua Coffee – Guatemala Huehuetenango Coffee – Decaf Guatemalan Coffee (Green, Unroasted)

Flavored Coffees – Hazelnut Coffee – Amaretto Coffee – Caramel Macchiato

Decaffeinated Coffee – Deluxe Frother – Vienna Roast

Espresso Machines – French Press Brewer – Conical Burr Coffee Grinder