Worse-tasting coffee rarely means a broken machine. Usually the water, the beans, or a lack of cleaning is to blame.
If office machine coffee tastes worse, check in order: fresh water in the tank, fresh beans, grind size, machine cleanliness, and when it was last descaled. In most cases the problem is one of these, not the machine itself.
The checklist
- Water changed today, not topped up from yesterday.
- Beans from a recently opened bag.
- A grind that suits the coffee.
- A clean grounds bin and drip tray.
- A cleaned milk system.
- Descaling on schedule.
Drink settings
Many machines let you change strength, volume, and temperature. Change one setting at a time and judge the result.
When nothing helps
If the checklist does not help, contact the service team. For supplier-run coffee vending machines (publisher's site), that is the operator's job.
FAQ
Why is the coffee sour? Often because the grind is too coarse or the brewing temperature is too low.
Why is the coffee bitter? Often because of a grind that is too fine, a very dark roast, or a dirty machine.