<p>Cold brew it! Make sure you start with very cold water and a coarse grind. Cold-temp chemistry has a better chance of taking what's good and leaving what's bad. </p>

CC BY-SA 3.0
2016-05-14T08:32:53.150Z
2016-05-14T08:32:53.150Z
wearashirt
<p>If you drink alcohol, you could also try making Kahlúa. Soak coffee beans and vanilla beans in vodka for a while (3-4 weeks), then mix with a simple syrup.  There are plenty of detailed recipes on the web for it.</p>

CC BY-SA 3.0
2016-05-17T20:05:33.450Z
Welcome to Coffee SE, please feel free to take the [tour](http://coffee.stackexchange.com/tour).
MTSan
CC BY-SA 4.0
2018-06-05T20:42:51.720Z
That's not how you make Kahlua, as far as I'm aware and I'm somewhat locally infamous for my homemade coffee liqueur. But it is a good suggestion, overall. I just don't want OP to think it's quite that simple.
PoloHoleSet
CC BY-SA 4.0
2018-06-06T18:21:58.610Z
@PoloHoleSet, For us, the recipe above is fine when mixing it with heavy cream and vodka.  But if you're willing to share a better recipe, I'm willing to give it a try. :-)
B540Glenn
CC BY-SA 4.0
2018-06-06T18:50:12.097Z
@B540Glenn - I make a really strong batch of coffee (1.5 "scoops" per 6 oz "cup" on my drip machine), take that coffee and dissolve brown sugar into it. Once that cools, I add an equal volume of vodka to that sweetened coffee mixture, put it into a glass jug and toss in a vanilla bean that I've sliced open and mashed a bit.  Let it steep for at least a month (don't cover tightly, the glass will break). I add food-grade glycerin for mouth-feel when that's done. For "Tia Maria" mostly the same but with golden rum (not spiced) instead of vodka. Make it in about 4 L batches.
PoloHoleSet
CC BY-SA 4.0
2018-06-06T19:34:03.567Z
@PoloHoleSet, Thank You for the recipe.  We'll give it a go.
B540Glenn
CC BY-SA 4.0
2018-06-06T22:48:17.207Z
I'll post how much brewed coffee and brown sugar later. Have to check my notes.
PoloHoleSet
CC BY-SA 3.0
2016-05-17T17:30:45.830Z
2016-05-17T20:04:35.830Z
2016-05-17T20:04:35.830Z
B540Glenn
<p>Use them for decoration:<br>
Fill a glass vessel with the beans, stick a candle or tea-light in.</p>

<p>Looks neat, costs nothing extra and if you use a tea-light, the heat of the light will help disperse the scent of the coffee. Replace the beans occasionally.</p>

<p>I have done this in various scales, from tiny coffee-cup-sized arrangements (coffee table for two) to 1-quart glass vases with block candles or small pots of grass where the beans hide the plastic pot (table decoration at a wedding).  </p>

<p>This image is from pinterest (source is in the image) as I don't have an own one at hand, but shows exactly what I did:</p>

<p><a href="https://i.sstatic.net/byTbJ.jpg" rel="noreferrer"><img src="https://i.sstatic.net/byTbJ.jpg" alt="enter image description here"></a></p>

CC BY-SA 3.0
2017-12-17T08:46:49.787Z
2017-12-17T08:46:49.787Z
Stephie
<p>Ground coffee works well as an odor reducer. You can place it in a sachet or, more simply, in a bowl in the back of your refrigerator to help reduce/eliminate unwanted odors.</p>

CC BY-SA 3.0
2016-06-22T20:52:51.290Z
2016-06-22T20:52:51.290Z
marklmartin
<p>If you're wanting ideas that don't include brewing, I would suggest using the coffee grounds as a steak rub or placing the coffee in a compost pile (if you have one).</p>

<p>Also, there are a number of coffee desserts that are sweet enough to hide the taste of bad coffee. I would suggest giving those a try. Some examples would be a mocha fondue, java pie, or layered mocha cheesecake.</p>

CC BY-SA 3.0
2016-05-17T20:39:54.050Z
Accepted because this is what I ended up doing.
Azor Ahai -him-
CC BY-SA 3.0
2017-12-17T15:02:07.487Z
[A photo of calf steak in coffee sauce](https://www.instagram.com/p/BSR2GhahuHa/).
MTSan
CC BY-SA 3.0
2016-05-14T00:55:23.557Z
2016-05-14T00:55:23.557Z
Devon Yarbrough
<p><strong>Try a highly-enriched coffee-drink</strong> (with sugar, cream, etc.) like a latte or perhaps <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Vietnamese_iced_coffee" rel="nofollow">Vietnamese-style iced coffee</a> with sweetened condensed milk.</p>

<p>As you note in your comment, neither of these are usually my style, either. However, it's a fun change every once in a while. These are what I do when I have a batch of beans that I don't like; it covers up some bitterness, over-roasting, and other off-notes... and since I wouldn't usually consider doing this to beans that I <em>actually like</em>, it's merely opportunistic. :)</p>

CC BY-SA 3.0
2016-05-17T00:36:20.987Z
2016-05-17T00:36:20.987Z
hoc_age
<p>Mocha cheesecake is already mentioned by Devon. Also, desserts as a category. But, I would like to mention <strong>tiramisu</strong> separately as it is widely known.</p>

CC BY-SA 4.0
2019-04-17T06:29:18.643Z
@stephie You're right. I've removed the link to be in line with SA. I assume people could easily Google a recipe, if necessary.
MTSan
CC BY-SA 4.0
2017-12-17T14:58:20.497Z
2019-04-17T06:28:09.700Z
2019-04-17T06:28:09.700Z
MTSan
<p>If they are whole beans, place a layer on a cookie sheet and put them under the broiler for 60 to 90 seconds to wake them up.  I've sometimes had a good result.  </p>

CC BY-SA 4.0
2018-06-03T19:42:39.480Z
2018-06-03T19:42:39.480Z
Rob
<p>This won't fix the coffee but it might not taste as bad. 
Do a normal french press but do a crazy strong ratio like 1:10 1:7 or 1:5!
Filter, then pour some in a cup, maybe half a cup and dilute the rest with hot water.</p>

<p>It won't turn it good but will make it slightly more acceptable than before.</p>

CC BY-SA 4.0
2019-04-11T02:37:48.010Z
2019-04-12T07:27:00.987Z
2019-04-12T07:27:00.987Z
Asimo Galactica
<p>I recently was about to have a week before I could get my good coffee, so I went to the grocery store and got some of theirs. </p>

<p>Unfortunately, I pulled the lever and got way more grocery store coffee than I could ever need. </p>

<p>It's also terrible. Short of tossing it, is there anything I can do to make it taste better until I get good coffee again? </p>

CC BY-SA 3.0
2016-05-17T00:27:46.000Z
What have you tried? What's the nature of the coffee -- dark roast, stale, bland, ...?
hoc_age
CC BY-SA 3.0
2016-05-17T00:32:33.500Z
Nothing, I'm new to this and I don't like putting things in my coffee so that's off the table. It's a dark roast and bland.
Azor Ahai -him-
<flavor>
What can I do with bad coffee beans?
Azor Ahai -him-
# What can I do with bad coffee beans?

(Asked by: username_0 on 2016-05-14)

I recently was about to have a week before I could get my good coffee, so I went to the grocery store and got some of theirs.

Unfortunately, I pulled the lever and got way more grocery store coffee than I could ever need.

It's also terrible. Short of tossing it, is there anything I can do to make it taste better until I get good coffee again?

**Tags:** flavor

> **Comments:**
> **username_1**: What have you tried? What's the nature of the coffee -- dark roast, stale, bland, ...?  
> **username_0**: Nothing, I'm new to this and I don't like putting things in my coffee so that's off the table. It's a dark roast and bland.  

---

## 9 answers

### Answer by username_8 on 2016-05-14. Score: 14 | Accepted answer

If you're wanting ideas that don't include brewing, I would suggest using the coffee grounds as a steak rub or placing the coffee in a compost pile (if you have one).

Also, there are a number of coffee desserts that are sweet enough to hide the taste of bad coffee. I would suggest giving those a try. Some examples would be a mocha fondue, java pie, or layered mocha cheesecake.

> **Comments:**
> **username_0**: Accepted because this is what I ended up doing.  
> **username_4**: [A photo of calf steak in coffee sauce](https://www.instagram.com/p/BSR2GhahuHa/).  

---

### Answer by username_2 on 2016-05-14. Score: 15

Cold brew it! Make sure you start with very cold water and a coarse grind. Cold-temp chemistry has a better chance of taking what's good and leaving what's bad.


---

### Answer by username_3 on 2016-05-17. Score: 10

If you drink alcohol, you could also try making Kahlúa. Soak coffee beans and vanilla beans in vodka for a while (3-4 weeks), then mix with a simple syrup. There are plenty of detailed recipes on the web for it.

> **Comments:**
> **username_4**: Welcome to Coffee SE, please feel free to take the [tour](http://coffee.stackexchange.com/tour).  
> **username_5**: That's not how you make Kahlua, as far as I'm aware and I'm somewhat locally infamous for my homemade coffee liqueur. But it is a good suggestion, overall. I just don't want OP to think it's quite that simple.  
> **username_3**: @username_5, For us, the recipe above is fine when mixing it with heavy cream and vodka.  But if you're willing to share a better recipe, I'm willing to give it a try. :-)  
> **username_5**: @username_3 - I make a really strong batch of coffee (1.5 "scoops" per 6 oz "cup" on my drip machine), take that coffee and dissolve brown sugar into it. Once that cools, I add an equal volume of vodka to that sweetened coffee mixture, put it into a glass jug and toss in a vanilla bean that I've sliced open and mashed a bit.  Let it steep for at least a month (don't cover tightly, the glass will break). I add food-grade glycerin for mouth-feel when that's done. For "Tia Maria" mostly the same but with golden rum (not spiced) instead of vodka. Make it in about 4 L batches.  
> **username_3**: @username_5, Thank You for the recipe.  We'll give it a go.  
> **username_5**: I'll post how much brewed coffee and brown sugar later. Have to check my notes.  

---

### Answer by username_6 on 2017-12-17. Score: 8

Use them for decoration:  
Fill a glass vessel with the beans, stick a candle or tea-light in.

Looks neat, costs nothing extra and if you use a tea-light, the heat of the light will help disperse the scent of the coffee. Replace the beans occasionally.

I have done this in various scales, from tiny coffee-cup-sized arrangements (coffee table for two) to 1-quart glass vases with block candles or small pots of grass where the beans hide the plastic pot (table decoration at a wedding).

This image is from pinterest (source is in the image) as I don't have an own one at hand, but shows exactly what I did:

[![enter image description here](https://i.sstatic.net/byTbJ.jpg)](https://i.sstatic.net/byTbJ.jpg)


---

### Answer by username_7 on 2016-06-22. Score: 7

Ground coffee works well as an odor reducer. You can place it in a sachet or, more simply, in a bowl in the back of your refrigerator to help reduce/eliminate unwanted odors.


---

### Answer by username_1 on 2016-05-17. Score: 4

**Try a highly-enriched coffee-drink** (with sugar, cream, etc.) like a latte or perhaps [Vietnamese-style iced coffee](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Vietnamese_iced_coffee) with sweetened condensed milk.

As you note in your comment, neither of these are usually my style, either. However, it's a fun change every once in a while. These are what I do when I have a batch of beans that I don't like; it covers up some bitterness, over-roasting, and other off-notes... and since I wouldn't usually consider doing this to beans that I *actually like*, it's merely opportunistic. :)


---

### Answer by username_4 on 2017-12-17. Score: 3

Mocha cheesecake is already mentioned by Devon. Also, desserts as a category. But, I would like to mention **tiramisu** separately as it is widely known.

> **Comments:**
> **username_4**: @stephie You're right. I've removed the link to be in line with SA. I assume people could easily Google a recipe, if necessary.  

---

### Answer by username_9 on 2018-06-03. Score: 0

If they are whole beans, place a layer on a cookie sheet and put them under the broiler for 60 to 90 seconds to wake them up. I've sometimes had a good result.


---

### Answer by username_10 on 2019-04-11. Score: 0

This won't fix the coffee but it might not taste as bad.
Do a normal french press but do a crazy strong ratio like 1:10 1:7 or 1:5!
Filter, then pour some in a cup, maybe half a cup and dilute the rest with hot water.

It won't turn it good but will make it slightly more acceptable than before.


---

