3.5 Reasons Why Your Espresso Tastes Like Rubber

Ever caught yourself thinking ‘Why does your espresso taste like rubber’? It’s pleasant when you face this traumatic experience, especially when you really crave a cup of coffee after work. Stick around, in this article I’m talking about 3.5 reasons (no the number ISN’T a typo) that make your coffee taste like rubber and share tips and tricks on how to brew delicious coffee every single time. 

Why your espresso tastes like rubber? 

Most of the time espresso taste like rubber because of the condition of your machine. If you use either a brand-new or too-old machine to brew your coffee, it might have an unpleasant taste. The best way to fix this issue is to clean the inside of your machine and descale it.

Can a machine affect the taste of your coffee

Let’s all agree that making coffee is science.

You need the right amount of coffee grinds tumped (but not too much), filtered or bottled water (to avoid coffee getting spoiled by hard water minerals), and the right pressure from the espresso machine to pull a great shot. It’s way more complex than making tea and of course, more variables are involved in this process. 

Brand new coffee machines 

So which part of the machine we can blame for passing on this rubbery taste? 

Is it the elastic sealing?

Not necessarily, I’m pretty sure you’ve experienced many times the smell of rubber with other new objects you’ve bought; this smell tends to stick around for quite a bit, and after regular use, it goes away. Similarly, the rubbery smell of your brand new coffee machine is present, meaning that there’s nothing wrong with your coffee machine – it’s just brand new…

Old coffee machines 

What if your coffee machine isn’t new but still produces rubbery espresso shots? 

The most common reason this is happening it’s because your machine burns the coffee and gives this unpleasant smell. 

What does that mean? 

Practically, your machine brews the coffee at a higher pressure than recommended by the manufacturer. Every machine has specific guidelines about the bar pressure you need to brew your coffee. But the average pressure is 9 bars. It’s wise to have a look at the manual that came with your machine or even search online to find the recommended pressure. 

It’s vital to get this part right; if you turn down the pressure too much your machine will work much harder to pull an espresso and this might damage it.  

Have a look at how to adjust the pressure of your machine.

Another reason that an old machine brews rubbery coffee is that it needs cleaning.  It’s also vital to know how to get rid of the unpleasant espresso smell.

In fact, this is a sign that your machine needs to be cleaned thoroughly. 

Because coffee residue sticks on the inside of your machine over time causing your machine to malfunction and your machine works harder to pull an espresso. So, in this case, it’s wise to use cleaning solutions (either tablets or powder) to clean your machine and remove residue and coffee oils. Going for the manufacturer’s solution is probably a better solution than using any other product as they are specifically made for cleaning your machine. 

But it’s up to you which solution you’re planning to use. Keeping your brewer clean will help you find out what really good espresso tastes like.

What if your coffee machine isn’t the issue? 

Let’s assume that you’ve done all of the above to prevent the rubbery taste in your coffee – but this horrible taste is still there. 

Then you have to check a few other things that might affect the taste of your coffee. 

The coffee beans play a role

Believe it or not, what causes this taste sometimes is the coffee beans themselves or even the way you store your coffee. Do you grind a huge amount and keep it in a container for weeks? When you keep your coffee in the box for days the flavour and aroma start going away over time. The longer you keep it in the container (you guessed it) the weaker your coffee in taste and aroma will be. 

I suggest you grind every time enough coffee to brew 2-3 espresso shots. This way your coffee is going to have enhanced flavour and aroma. 

Another thing that plays a role is the type of coffee beans you opt for.

For example, Robusta beans contain more caffeine and if you don’t brew them the right way (they are brewed differently from Arabica) your coffee might end up tasting rubbery. 

On the other hand, Arabica tastes closer to chocolate and grows in a very different climate than Robusta. 

What about the grinder?

This is another (not quite obvious) reason that you might brew coffee that tastes like rubber. 

Whether you own a grinder with burrs or a blade there’s proper friction between the grinder and the beans which produce heat. And when you brew your coffee your machine heats this coffee once more, ending up with a rubbery cup of coffee. 

The solution? 

If you have been having your grinder for quite some time consider purchasing a new one that is going to do the job more efficiently and cause less heat. 

How to avoid rubbery taste when ordering coffee at a cafe

The rubbery taste can also happen when ordering coffee at a cafe.

As I’ve already mentioned the coffee beans the barista uses can affect the taste. If you have the chance to choose the origin and type of your coffee, go for Arabica beans to be on the safe side. 

It’s also a good idea to let the barista know that the coffee is spoiled, so they will clean the machine or even descale it. (Learn how to descale a Smeg machine. )

And you can always try a few cafes around where you live to find out which one makes the most delicious coffee.

Let’s wrap it up

Coffee is a sacred drink, it keeps us going even on the most hectic days. I can’t make compromises for my coffee and brew a cup that tastes like rubber. Can you? You now know a couple of ways to avoid this traumatic experience and make coffee that is simply great.  Do you know how to descale your Wolf coffee machine?

FAQ

Let’s go over a couple of questions that often come up. 

Why does my espresso machine taste weird?

The most possible way is because it needs cleaning. Some of the most common signs that give away that your machine needs cleaning are the weird taste in coffee, the machine making unusual noises when brewing, and the process taking longer than it used to be. Just make time and give it a good clean to make it work as it used to. 

How do you get rid of the burnt plastic taste?

Typically, to avoid a burnt taste you need to brew coffee at just the right time. If your brewing last longer than it should, you might end up with a cup of coffee that tastes burnt.