Why does my percolated coffee taste so mild?

by JEFF BOND
(LIVONI,MI)

QUESTION:

When I make coffee in my percolator it takes 14-16 tablespoons to make six mild cups. Why does it take so much coffee?

ANSWER:

The first thing that comes to mind is the size of the "cups" you are using.

Typically it takes just two tablespoons of ground coffee to make a single cup of coffee. But that presumes you are using 6-ounce cups.

If, however, you are adding enough water to the percolator to make six MUGS of coffee...at about 8 ounces a mug or more...then you have to add more coffee grinds.

For a mug of coffee, you need closer to two and a half or three tablespoons of ground coffee. Which means the 14-16 tablespoons you are using right now is about right.

Another possible factor is the grind of the coffee. If your coffee is too coarse, then you'll certainly get a milder brew. You may want to change the setting on your grinder or buy fine-ground coffee.

For more about brewing coffee, read our page on how to make coffee.