Plus, tips so you might improve your at-home cup.

We experience this often, he laughs.

Turns out there are a few reasons why results vary.

a photo of two mugs being filled with hot coffee

Photo:Stefania Pelfini, La Waziya Photography/Getty Images

Find (and Stick To!)

1 cause across our panel for suboptimal results.

Weighing out your coffee will ensure you have the correct dose of grounds with no question.

On the other hand, Santos serves a 1-to-17 ratio at his cafes.

Surprisingly, youd be wrong.

Sozio explains, Investing in an expensive brewer while neglecting the quality of the grinder is a common error.

A good grinder is essential for consistent particle size, which significantly impacts extraction and flavor.

Kelleys guideline: Larger particles for longer brew times and smaller particles with shorter ones.

Capresso makes affordable versions.

And if youre not ready to invest, Sozio has a pro tip.

Have them grind your beans weekly, tailored to your brewing method, for the freshest taste.

This is why Santos swears byalwaysusing filtered water and not tap water.

What are you really going to be tasting?

Water temperature is another dynamic variable.

All of our experts agree that the perfect temperature for residential machine-made drip coffee is 195 to 201F.

This is the most common mistake, Smith says, that causes coffee to come out bitter.

Unfortunately, most home drip machines dont get hot enough, Kelley and Jackson lament.

This will give you a less acidic cup, she shares.

But if the water is permitted to boil, itwillburn your grounds, Smith warnssomething youll definitely taste!

Just wait a minute or two after it reaches boiling, McCarthy says.

Address those, and bistro-quality coffee can be an everyday at-home treat.