5 Reasons Why Your Coffee Tastes Different in Winter
If your morning brew’s been tasting a little… off lately, you’re not imagining it. Just like fruit and veggies can change with the seasons, your coffee can too, especially in winter.
Whether it’s coming out flatter, more bitter, or just not quite right, here’s what might be going on.
1. Your Equipment Might Be Too Cold
Most home espresso machines, grinders, and brewing gear live on kitchen benches, which can get very cold overnight. When you start brewing on a chilly machine, you lose heat fast, and that can mess with flavour and extraction.
Quick fix: Give your gear a warm-up. Run a blank shot through your machine, rinse your pour-over kit with hot water, or give your milk jug a quick rinse in warm water before steaming. Little steps can make a big difference.
2. Water Temperature Matters More Than You Think
Colder ambient temps mean your kettle or espresso machine might not be hitting (or holding) the sweet spot, which is around 92–96°C for brewing.
Brewing too cold? You’ll end up with a sour or under-extracted cup.
Too hot? That’s where bitterness creeps in.
Tip: Use a kettle with a temperature setting if you can, or give it a few extra seconds to heat post-boil if you’re brewing manually.
3. Your Beans Might Be Ageing Faster (or Slower)
Cold air holds less moisture, but winter homes often use heaters, which can dry out the air and mess with storage conditions. If your beans are exposed to temperature swings or left too close to a heat source, flavour can degrade quickly.
What to do: Keep your beans in a cool, dark place away from direct sunlight, heaters, and definitely out of the fridge or freezer. Our resealable coffee bags are built for freshness, or pop them into an airtight container.
4. Milk Frothing Changes Too
Colder milk can take longer to stretch. Your tools are likely cooler too, so keep this is mind when it comes to timing.
Pro move: Make sure your jug isn’t icy cold. We want it at about room temperature.
5. Your Taste Buds Might Be Different, Too
Yep, even you change in winter. Cold weather can dull your senses a little, especially if you’re stuffy or under the weather. You might subconsciously crave warmer, richer flavours and feel underwhelmed by brighter or lighter roast profiles.
Try this: Swap your usual beans for something a little bolder or rounder, like our Liberty Blend, which is built to shine with milk and hits those chocolatey, comforting notes winter demands.
The Takeaway
If your brews are feeling off this winter, it’s not you, it’s the season. But with a few small tweaks to your setup and technique, you’ll be back to better cups in no time.
