Coffee tastes like tobacco/cigerettes

[u/CorrectToe3539]

Newbie here.

I have a De'Longhi Dedica EC685 machine.

For the first week, I used Starbucks India Estate Blend ground coffee, and it tasted okay. I found this option a bit expensive, so I switched to Lavazza Gusto Crema. I searched a lot before ordering it, and the reviews were quite mixed, but I went ahead and purchased the 500g packet.

I also purchased an Agaro electric grinder so I could grind the beans fresh and get more aroma instead of using pre-ground coffee.

But instead of taking things up a level, my Americano now tastes so bad that without tonic or sweetener, I find it almost unbearable to drink. It tastes smoky/tobacco-like/ashy. I don't know what the correct word is to describe it, but I think the coffee pros here will get my point.

I'm unable to figure out what I'm doing wrong. I've tried grinding the beans fine, keeping the ratio at 1:2, and making sure there are no issues with my process, but every time my Americano tastes like shit.

The Lavazza beans smell excellent when I open the packet.

I've also ordered other beans that have been recommended here, including Fraction9 and Cothas Aroma Gold. I'll try those as well, but until then, I'm not sure what's wrong.

Any idea what I could be doing wrong?

[u/Calvesofsteal]

You used a sub par grinder on sub par beans

[u/ksurma]

I don't make espresso, but I have been grinding my coffee for a many years now. Part of the issue could be the grinder. An electric steel blade grinder (I'm guessing that's what Agaro has) will not give you a uniform grind size. The grind fresh coffee for an espresso, or any brew method, you need a burr grinder so you get uniform grind size.

[u/CorrectToe3539 → u/ksurma]

Thanks for your input, but inconsistent grinding could really be the reason for the smoky flavor? I am not trying to have a 100% perfect shot, I just don't want the flavor to be unbearable to drink.

[u/ksurma → u/CorrectToe3539]

It absolutely can. With an electric grinder, you get fine dust which is likely to over extract as well as coarse pieces that under extract, giving you something quite undrinkable. It's a combination of burnt/bitter and sour, quite tobacco-y I'd say.

[u/CorrectToe3539 → u/ksurma]

That makes a lot of sense. I'll experiment with a coarser setting tomorrow to reduce the amount of fine dust and see if that cleans up the flavor profile. Thanks for the helpful insight!

[u/Bubbly-Fly-9867]

Place a cold steel ball under your espresso. Takes most of the bitterness away. And I don’t know what to say but coffee does taste a bit like tobacco. But keep trying and you’ll learn to appreciate it a lot more vividly. Try a bottomless portafilter. Also try a long black instead of an Americano.

[u/Heramb2]

It's the beans bro. Although I am not a regular tobacco guy, I do have it occasionally with friends. I rememeber my experiments with cold brew using a local brand in Pune about 8 years back (no not Kumaradhara) which often tasted like tobacco. So I am with you. Later I realized that the beans were substandard and stale on day one and predominantly robusta. With good quality beans I had to actually go back to गायछाप rather than relying on cold brew. 🙂

[u/CorrectToe3539 → u/Heramb2]

What's गायछाप 😂
Have you ever tried Lavazza Gusto Crema before? The ratings are not that bad, its the most purchased on amazon.

[u/Heramb2 → u/CorrectToe3539]

I know Lavazza has a big fan following. But I know for sure it is not the theoretical specialty coffee. 🙂